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5 fatalities

VT-CFB Training Flight Crash North of Safdarjung Airport

New Delhi-Safdarjung, IndiaLanding (descent or approach)

On March 13, 1957, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration VT-CFB) operated by Indian Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near New Delhi-Safdarjung, India during landing or approach. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was attributed to loss of control of the aircraft as a result of a spin, inadvertently entered into at a height too low for recovery. 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

VT-CFB crashed 10 miles north of Safdarjung Airport after losing radio contact during a training flight. The aircraft was destroyed, killing both occupants and three people in a nearby hut.

Flight Details and Loss of Contact VT-CFB departed Safdarjung Airport at approximately 0832 local time on a training flight. At 0839, the aircraft reported its position as 20 miles north of the airport at an altitude of 5,000 feet. No further radiotelephony contact was established with the aircraft after this transmission. ## Crash and Casualties At approximately 0915 hours, the aircraft crashed 10 miles north of Safdarjung Airport. The impact and subsequent fire destroyed the aircraft. Both occupants on board were killed. Additionally, three inmates of a hut in the labour colony where the crash occurred also died.

Probable cause

The accident was attributed to loss of control of the aircraft as a result of a spin, inadvertently entered into at a height too low for recovery.
Loss of control in flight

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 13 Mar 1957 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near New Delhi-Safdarjung, India?

VT-CFB crashed 10 miles north of Safdarjung Airport after losing radio contact during a training flight. The aircraft was destroyed, killing both occupants and three people in a nearby hut.

Were there any fatalities in the 13 Mar 1957 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 5 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 13 Mar 1957 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration VT-CFB, operated by Indian Airlines, at New Delhi-Safdarjung, India.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was attributed to loss of control of the aircraft as a result of a spin, inadvertently entered into at a height too low for recovery.

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