Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident at Exhall, United Kingdom, 19 Feb 1949 (G-AHCW)
On February 19, 1949, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration G-AHCW) operated by British European Airways - BEA was involved in an aviation accident near Exhall, United Kingdom in flight. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was the result of a midair collision. Since neither aircraft took any apparent avoiding action it must be concluded that the pilot of the Anson did not see the Dakota and that the pilots of the Dakota did not see the Anson. 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
The accident was the result of a midair collision. Since neither aircraft took any apparent avoiding action it must be concluded that the pilot of the Anson did not see the Dakota and that the pilots of the Dakota did not see the Anson. This must be attributed to failure on the part of the captain of each aircraft to ensure the maintenance of an effective lookout.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
While cruising in VFR mode over the region of Coventry at an altitude of 4,500 feet, the C-47 collided with a RAF Avro Anson registered VV243 and carrying four pilots under training. Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in Exhall, north of Coventry. All 14 occupants in both aircraft were killed.
Probable cause (official findings): The accident was the result of a midair collision. Since neither aircraft took any apparent avoiding action it must be concluded that the pilot of the Anson did not see the Dakota and that the pilots of the Dakota did not see the Anson. This must be attributed to failure on the part of the captain of each aircraft to ensure the maintenance of an effective lookout.