Accident
During a scheduled flight from Rangoon to Mergui with an intermediate stop at Tavoy, the aircraft was approaching to land on Runway 01 at Mergui Airstrip. On board were 15 passengers and 3 crew members. On final approach, the port wing struck trees. The aircraft then landed heavily approximately 820 feet from the runway threshold.
Upon impact with the ground, the starboard engine became detached from the aircraft. The aircraft continued to move, running on its port wheels and the starboard propeller for about 270 feet. It came to rest approximately 475 feet from the threshold and about 50 feet from the edge of the runway.
A fire broke out on the starboard side, possibly due to severed fuel lines and electrical short circuits. The fire consumed the forward portion of the aircraft up to the main rear entrance door. The wings sustained damage but were not consumed by the fire.
Evacuation and Response
The crew and passengers were safely evacuated. Two passengers sustained minor injuries. The fire fighting equipment at the aerodrome was totally inadequate. The local fire brigade, equipped with 400 gallons of plain water, could not save the aircraft.
Probable Cause
The official findings attributed the crash to an error of judgment on the part of the pilot. However, there was nothing in the evidence to show what may have caused the error, nor was there any evidence to indicate that the error was caused by negligence on the part of the pilot.