No fatalities

Oborso Airport Landing Incident: Right Main Gear Collapse (ET-AEJ)

Oborso, EthiopiaLanding (descent or approach)

On December 14, 1976, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration ET-AEJ) operated by Ethiopian Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Oborso, Ethiopia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the right main gear upon landing for undetermined reasons. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft suffered a right main gear collapse upon landing at Oborso Airport. The plane slid off the runway and was destroyed, but all eight occupants escaped uninjured.

Incident Overview and Immediate Aftermath During a landing on runway 09 at Oborso Airport, the aircraft's right main landing gear collapsed. Following the gear failure, the flight crew retracted the undercarriage. The aircraft then slid along its belly, veered off the runway, and ultimately came to rest against an anthill. Despite the severity of the incident, all eight occupants on board escaped without injury. The aircraft sustained damage that rendered it beyond repair. ## Official Investigation Findings The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the incident was the failure of the right main gear upon landing. The specific reasons for this mechanical failure were not determined.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 14 Dec 1976 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Oborso, Ethiopia?

An aircraft suffered a right main gear collapse upon landing at Oborso Airport. The plane slid off the runway and was destroyed, but all eight occupants escaped uninjured.

Were there any fatalities in the 14 Dec 1976 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 14 Dec 1976 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration ET-AEJ, operated by Ethiopian Airlines, at Oborso, Ethiopia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Failure of the right main gear upon landing for undetermined reasons.