Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident at Estevan, Canada, 16 Sept 1946 (962)
On September 16, 1946, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration 962) operated by Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF was involved in an aviation accident near Estevan, Canada during landing or approach. 21 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It was determined that the loss of control was caused by a control lock on the starboard elevator that has not been removed before takeoff from Minot AFB. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
It was determined that the loss of control was caused by a control lock on the starboard elevator that has not been removed before takeoff from Minot AFB.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
On final approach to Estevan Airport, the captain decided to make a go around for unknown reason. The undercarriage were raised and the aircraft quickly adopted a nose up attitude. Suddenly, it stalled and crashed few hundred yards short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all 21 occupants were killed. All passengers were returning to Estevan after delivering Fairchild PT-19 Cornell planes to the USAAF based in Minot AFB. Crew (124th Communications Squadron): F/Lt Harry H. Cowan, F/Lt James Stewart Lees, F/Lt Edward Chester Stewart, F/O Ned Jordan, F/O William Albert Perry, F/O Robert James McIntyre, LAC Vitantes Luke Kirko, F/O Raymond Avard Brandser, F/O Max Thomas, F/O Leonard Edgar Turtle, F/O Stephen Pond, F/Lt Stanley Wright Proctor, F/Lt Louis Eric John Murphy, F/Lt Morris Crosby Cuthbert, F/Lt James Pyle Jesse, F/Lt Clifford Sommerville Coppin, F/Lt Lawrence Victor Kirsch, F/Lt William Jacob Louis Weicker, F/Lt Robert Cowan McRoberts, F/Lt Joseph Alphonse Camille Bouchard, F/Lt William Murdock Jackson.
Probable cause (official findings): It was determined that the loss of control was caused by a control lock on the starboard elevator that has not been removed before takeoff from Minot AFB.