No fatalities

Aircraft Suffered Gear Collapse During Takeoff Roll (VR-HDW)

Pyin Oo Lwin-Anisakan (Maymyo), MyanmarTakeoff (climb)

On September 13, 1949, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration VR-HDW) operated by Cathay Pacific Airways (Cathay) was involved in an aviation accident near Pyin Oo Lwin-Anisakan (Maymyo), Myanmar during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft experienced a right main gear collapse during the takeoff roll, causing it to veer off the runway. The incident resulted in no injuries but left the airframe damaged beyond repair.

What happened

During the initial phase of the takeoff roll, the right main landing gear on the aircraft collapsed. This mechanical failure caused the plane to lose directional control, forcing it to veer off the paved runway surface. The aircraft eventually came to a complete stop outside the designated taxiway area.

Findings

The structural integrity of the airframe was compromised by the impact and subsequent movement off the runway. An assessment determined that the damage sustained was extensive enough to render the aircraft damaged beyond repair. Fortunately, there were no reports of fatalities or injuries among those on board.