Training flight accident at Khartoum-Haj Yusuf Airport

2 fatalities • Khartoum, Sudan • Landing (descent or approach)

A training aircraft crashed into residential buildings and a vehicle during an approach at Khartoum-Haj Yusuf Airport, resulting in two fatalities.

What happened

During a local training mission at Khartoum-Haj Yusuf Airport, the crew was performing a series of circuits and landings. While initiating a new approach toward runway 36 with the engines set to idle, the aircraft experienced a stall. The descent caused the plane to strike the roofs of two nearby houses before impacting a truck on the ground. The impact resulted in the airframe breaking into two pieces. The accident resulted in two fatalities and two injuries among the crew.

Findings

Investigators were unable to determine a definitive direct cause due to insufficient evidence, though several contributing factors were identified. There was no clear explanation for an initial turn made toward the port side of the aircraft. Following this turn, a loss of altitude likely occurred because the flaps were moved from the 1/4 position to the up position.

Witness accounts suggested that one or both engines may have sputtered during the attempt to climb. This malfunction might have been triggered by the pilot inadvertently mishandling throttle or mixture controls while moving from his seat, or by accidentally deactivating the port ignition switch while reaching for the ignition master switch. Such an engine failure would have occurred at a critical moment when the training captain was attempting to regain control near obstacles, making recovery nearly impossible.

Probable cause

The exact cause remains inconclusive, but potential factors include improper flap retraction, uncommanded turns, or accidental engine power loss due to control mishandling.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1967-02-21 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Khartoum, Sudan?

A training aircraft crashed into residential buildings and a vehicle during an approach at Khartoum-Haj Yusuf Airport, resulting in two fatalities.

Were there any fatalities in the 1967-02-21 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1967-02-21 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration ST-AAM, operated by Sudan Airways, at Khartoum, Sudan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The exact cause remains inconclusive, but potential factors include improper flap retraction, uncommanded turns, or accidental engine power loss due to control mishandling.

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