Aircraft impact near Largs during positioning flight

1 fatality • Largs, United Kingdom • Landing (descent or approach)

A positioning flight from Liverpool-Speke to Glasgow-Renfrew ended in a fatal crash after the aircraft struck Greenside Hill.

What happened

During a repositioning flight intended to collect passengers for a trip to Lourdes, France, an aircraft traveling from Liverpool-Speke Airport toward Glasgow-Renfrew Airport crashed near Largs. While performing the approach, the plane descended too low and collided with Greenside Hill.

The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. Of the three crew members on board, there were one fatality and two serious injuries. The co-pilot died in the accident, while the captain and the flight attendant sustained significant injuries.

Findings

Official investigations concluded that the crash was the result of an error of airmanship by the captain. While conducting an instrument approach under nighttime conditions, the pilot allowed the aircraft to descend beneath the established safety altitude, leading directly to the collision with the terrain.

Probable cause

The captain's failure to maintain the approved safety height during a night instrument approach caused the aircraft to strike the ground.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1956-03-28 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Largs, United Kingdom?

A positioning flight from Liverpool-Speke to Glasgow-Renfrew ended in a fatal crash after the aircraft struck Greenside Hill.

Were there any fatalities in the 1956-03-28 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1956-03-28 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration G-AMRB, operated by Starways, at Largs, United Kingdom.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The captain's failure to maintain the approved safety height during a night instrument approach caused the aircraft to strike the ground.

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