Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident at Mossley, United Kingdom, 19 Aug 1949 (G-AHCY)
On August 19, 1949, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration G-AHCY) operated by British European Airways - BEA was involved in an aviation accident near Mossley, United Kingdom during landing or approach. 24 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the accident was an error in navigation, incorrect approach procedure and failure to check the position of the aircraft accurately before the descent from a safe height. 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 cause of the accident was an error in navigation, incorrect approach procedure and failure to check the position of the aircraft accurately before the descent from a safe height.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The crew left Belfast-Nutts Corner Airport at 1058LT and started the approach to Manchester-Ringway Airport from the northeast in marginal weather conditions. While descending at an altitude of 1,350 feet in low visibility, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain (1,400 feet high) located in the Pennines mountain range, about two miles east of Mossley. The aircraft hit the slope less than 50 feet below the summit and was destroyed by impact forces. All three crew members and 21 passengers were killed while eight passengers were seriously injured.
Probable cause (official findings): The cause of the accident was an error in navigation, incorrect approach procedure and failure to check the position of the aircraft accurately before the descent from a safe height.