4 fatalities

Training Flight Ends in Fatal Canyon Crash Near Oklahoma City (N200)

Mustang, United States of AmericaFlight

On April 21, 1961, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration N200) operated by Federal Aviation Administration - FAA was involved in an aviation accident near Mustang, United States of America in flight. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot failed to maintain flying speed during VMC demonstration manoeuvre and the conduct of the demonstration flight at an excessively low altitude. 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 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

Four pilots died when their airplane crashed into a canyon near Mustang, Oklahoma, during a local training flight. The aircraft was destroyed. Investigators cited pilot error in maintaining airspeed during a VMC demonstration at low altitude.

Circumstances

Four pilots departed Oklahoma City-Will Rogers Airport for a local training flight. While cruising at a low height, between 200 and 500 feet, the airplane entered a dive and crashed into a canyon located in Mustang, approximately six miles west of Will Rogers Airport. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident, and all four occupants were killed.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined that the probable cause was the pilot's failure to maintain flying speed during a VMC demonstration maneuver, combined with conducting the demonstration flight at an excessively low altitude.