No fatalities

Aircraft Left Main Gear Collapse During Landing (ET-AGW)

Bahar Dar, EthiopiaLanding (descent or approach)

On January 11, 1981, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration ET-AGW) operated by Ethiopian Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Bahar Dar, Ethiopia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the left main gear upon landing for unknown reasons. 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.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft suffered a left main gear collapse upon landing, causing it to slide on its belly and sustain irreparable damage. All four occupants escaped without injury.

Incident Overview During the landing phase, the aircraft's left main landing gear failed, resulting in a collapse. The aircraft subsequently slid along the ground on its belly before coming to a complete stop. The impact and subsequent slide caused damage that rendered the aircraft beyond repair. ## Occupant Safety Despite the severity of the structural damage, all four individuals on board were able to evacuate the aircraft safely. The occupants consisted of three crew members and one security officer, and none of them sustained any injuries during the incident. ## Official Investigation Findings The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the left main gear upon landing. The specific reasons for this mechanical failure were not identified in the official findings.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 11 Jan 1981 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Bahar Dar, Ethiopia?

An aircraft suffered a left main gear collapse upon landing, causing it to slide on its belly and sustain irreparable damage. All four occupants escaped without injury.

Were there any fatalities in the 11 Jan 1981 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 11 Jan 1981 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration ET-AGW, operated by Ethiopian Airlines, at Bahar Dar, Ethiopia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Failure of the left main gear upon landing for unknown reasons.