Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident at Ploskina, Belarus, 18 May 1944 (CCCP-L833)
On May 18, 1944, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration CCCP-L833) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Ploskina, Belarus in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Wrong decision of the captain to continue the flight in very low height without any ground reference in poor visibility due to the night. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
Wrong decision of the captain to continue the flight in very low height without any ground reference in poor visibility due to the night.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
Following an uneventful supply mission to soldiers based in the west part of Belarus, the crew was returning to his base when the captain had the impression to be attacked by enemy fighters. He attempted to evade the supposed attack by flying very low when the airplane hit trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area located 500 meters north of Ploskina. Three crew members were killed while three others were injured.
Probable cause (official findings): Wrong decision of the captain to continue the flight in very low height without any ground reference in poor visibility due to the night.