Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident at Châteaudun, France, 25 Dec 1944 (43-15660)
On December 25, 1944, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration 43-15660) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Châteaudun, France during takeoff. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was probably caused by an aerodynamic stall due to an excessive accumulation of ice on both wings, the fuselage and the tail as well. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
The accident was probably caused by an aerodynamic stall due to an excessive accumulation of ice on both wings, the fuselage and the tail as well.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
Shortly after take off from Châteaudun Airfield, while climbing to a height of 500 feet, the aircraft stalled and crashed in flames on a road located two miles southeast of the airbase. All ten occupants were killed. They were on their way back to England. Crew (91st TCS): 1st Lt Warren R. Schuman, pilot, F/O Harold L. Boggs, copilot, Sgt Robert M. Kelley, radio operator, T/Sgt Roy L. Harker, crew chief. Passengers: T/4 Alvin P. Hymel, Cpl Frederick B. Cannon, Pvt August C. Teresi, Pvt Doyal Kincade, Pvt Thomas H. Williams, Pvt Alpha A. La Favers. Source & photos: http://www.airbornetroopcarrier.com/ardenneschristmasaccidents.html
Probable cause (official findings): The accident was probably caused by an aerodynamic stall due to an excessive accumulation of ice on both wings, the fuselage and the tail as well.