Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident at Mt Strawberry, United States of America, 11 Nov 1944 (43-16143)
On November 11, 1944, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration 43-16143) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Mt Strawberry, United States of America during landing or approach. 11 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew received erroneous data relating to the wind component and direction prior to departure from Bakersfield-Meadows Field. 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 crew received erroneous data relating to the wind component and direction prior to departure from Bakersfield-Meadows Field. This resulted in a deviation from the prescribed flight path and the crew started the descent while steel above the mountainous terrain north of Altadena. In low visibility, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain northeast of Mt Strawberry and was destroyed. Thus, the accident was caused by a controlled flight into terrain.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
On a night approach to Los Angeles-Mines Field, the aircraft hit a mountain slope located 2 miles northeast of Mt Strawberry, some 10 miles north of Altadena. All 11 occupants were killed.
Probable cause (official findings): The crew received erroneous data relating to the wind component and direction prior to departure from Bakersfield-Meadows Field. This resulted in a deviation from the prescribed flight path and the crew started the descent while steel above the mountainous terrain north of Altadena. In low visibility, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain northeast of Mt Strawberry and was destroyed. Thus, the accident was caused by a controlled flight into terrain.