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Runway Deviation and Oil Fire During Takeoff (G-AMSM)

Lydd, United KingdomTakeoff (climb)

On August 17, 1978, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration G-AMSM) operated by Skyways Cargo Airline was involved in an aviation accident near Lydd, United Kingdom during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered G-AMSM
Aircraft registered G-AMSM. Photo: Michael Roots / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

During a takeoff run, an aircraft deviated left, overcorrected right, and left the runway partially airborne. The left wing scraped an intersecting runway, and a right-engine oil fire occurred. All three occupants escaped uninjured.

Incident Overview and Sequence of Events During the takeoff run, the aircraft deviated to the left side of the runway. The copilot overcorrected, causing the aircraft to swing right and leave the runway at an angle of 20 degrees while partially airborne. While maneuvering to avoid a windsock mast ahead, the left wing scraped an intersecting runway 14. The aircraft then touched down and skidded to a stop. ## Damage and Occupant Outcomes An oil fire broke out in the right engine. All three occupants escaped uninjured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, date, operator, location, or a formal probable cause.

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