No fatalities

1978-10-25: Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (ET-AGQ) — Ethiopian Airlines — Degehabur, Ethiopia

Degehabur, EthiopiaLanding (descent or approach)

On October 25, 1978, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration ET-AGQ) operated by Ethiopian Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Degehabur, Ethiopia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. 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)Primary reportUpdated 1781225983Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane went out of control upon landing, veered off the runway to the right, struck a drainage ditch, and lost its left main gear. All 13 occupants escaped uninjured; the aircraft was written off.

Incident Overview

During the landing approach, the copilot, who was acting as pilot-in-command, completed the approach. Just prior to touchdown, the captain recognized that the airplane was unstable due to unfavorable winds and decided to regain control. Upon landing, the airplane went out of control, veered off the runway to the right, and struck a drainage ditch. The impact caused the loss of the left main landing gear, and the airplane came to rest.

Occupants and Injuries

All 13 occupants evacuated the aircraft without injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and was subsequently written off.

Sequence of Events

The incident occurred during the landing phase. The copilot was flying the approach. Moments before touchdown, the captain perceived the aircraft's unstable condition attributed to unfavorable winds and intervened. After touchdown, control was lost, leading to a runway excursion to the right. The aircraft encountered a drainage ditch, resulting in the separation of the left main gear.

Aircraft Damage

The aircraft was declared a total loss due to the damage sustained from the collision with the drainage ditch and the subsequent loss of the left main gear.