On September 17, 1976, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration VT-AXC) operated by Government of Madhya Pradesh was involved in an aviation accident near Bhopal-Raja Bhoj, India during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Aircraft crash-lands shortly after takeoff from Bhopal Airport after captain realizes speed below minimum control. All 10 occupants escape uninjured; aircraft damaged beyond repair.
Accident
The aircraft departed from Bhopal Airport and during the initial climb, the captain requested the copilot to raise the landing gear. Shortly thereafter, the captain recognized that the aircraft's speed was below the minimum control speed and that the aircraft was losing height. In response, the captain directed the copilot to lower the landing gear. However, before the landing gear could reach its fully extended and locked down position, the aircraft struck the ground and crash-landed. The sequence of events from the gear raising instruction to the impact occurred in quick succession, not allowing enough time for the gear to deploy completely.
Occupant Status and Damage
All ten occupants of the aircraft escaped the accident uninjured. They were able to evacuate the aircraft without assistance. The aircraft itself was damaged beyond repair.