On November 30, 1963, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration ET-AAT) operated by Ethiopian Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Addis Ababa-Lideta, Ethiopia during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It was determined that the loss of control was the consequence of a poor maintenance check on part of the company technicians who wrongly reconnected the ailerons cables prior to the test flight. 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.
During a post-maintenance test flight, the aircraft banked left at liftoff, struck the ground, and came to rest. All three crew members were uninjured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Investigation revealed improper reconnection of aileron cables by maintenance technicians.
Accident Description
A local post-maintenance test flight ended abruptly when the aircraft experienced a left bank immediately after liftoff. The airplane struck the ground and came to rest. All three crew members on board were uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it beyond repair.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the loss of control resulted from a poor maintenance check. Company technicians had incorrectly reconnected the aileron cables prior to the test flight. This improper reconnection led to the asymmetrical control inputs that caused the left bank at a critical phase of flight.
Probable cause
It was determined that the loss of control was the consequence of a poor maintenance check on part of the company technicians who wrongly reconnected the ailerons cables prior to the test flight.