Fatal aircraft accident during initial climb near airfield

13 fatalities • Prague-Ruzyne, Czech Republic • Takeoff (climb)

An aircraft crashed into a utility pole and cables during its departure, resulting in 13 fatalities and five survivors.

What happened

During the departure from the airfield, the aircraft type completed a takeoff roll of approximately 900 meters on runway 22. As the pilot-in-command began the rotation and the plane reached an altitude of roughly 50 feet, the crew observed a chimney in their flight path. In an attempt to avoid a collision with the structure, the pilot executed a sudden left turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck a telephone pole and several telegraph cables.

Following the impact, the plane entered a stall and crashed into a snow-covered field situated approximately one kilometer south of the runway. The impact resulted in a post-crash fire that destroyed the airframe. The accident resulted in 13 fatalities among the crew and passengers, while 5 survivors were rescued from the wreckage.

Findings

Investigation into the crash revealed that there were no reported mechanical issues with the aircraft prior to the event. Environmental conditions at the time of the accident included snowfall and a cloud base positioned about 200 meters above the ground, with horizontal visibility limited to approximately 100 meters. The runway surface was covered in a layer of wet snow measuring between 5 and 10 centimeters deep. The investigation concluded that the accident was caused by poor flying techniques employed by the pilot-in-command during the initial climb phase.

Probable cause

The accident resulted from improper maneuvering techniques used by the pilot during the early stages of the climb.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1954-01-12 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Prague-Ruzyne, Czech Republic?

An aircraft crashed into a utility pole and cables during its departure, resulting in 13 fatalities and five survivors.

Were there any fatalities in the 1954-01-12 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 13 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1954-01-12 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration OK-WDS, operated by CSA Czech Airlines - Československé Státní Aerolinie, at Prague-Ruzyne, Czech Republic.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident resulted from improper maneuvering techniques used by the pilot during the early stages of the climb.

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