19 fatalities

Post-takeoff stall and crash killing all 19 occupants (KN414)

Hong Kong-Kai Tak, ChinaTakeoff (climb)

On September 25, 1946, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration KN414) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Hong Kong-Kai Tak, China during takeoff. 19 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The loss of control during the initial climb may have been caused by katabatic winds originating from nearby mountains. 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 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft stalled shortly after takeoff while climbing to approximately 700-800 feet, resulting in a fatal crash 3 km northwest of the airfield that killed all 19 people on board.

What happened

The incident occurred immediately following departure from runway 31. During the initial climb phase, while reaching an altitude between 700 and 800 feet, the aircraft experienced a stall. This loss of lift caused the plane to enter a steep dive, leading to a crash site located 3 kilometers northwest of the originating airfield.

The accident resulted in the death of all 19 occupants on board. The crew consisted of five members from the 110th Squadron, including the pilot, copilot, a second pilot, a navigator, and a wireless operator. No survivors were reported among the personnel or passengers.

Probable cause

The loss of control during the initial climb may have been caused by katabatic winds originating from nearby mountains.