Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident at Billings-Logan, United States of America, 8 Dec 1945 (45-0922)
On December 8, 1945, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration 45-0922) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Billings-Logan, United States of America during landing or approach. 19 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: According to the Air Force Historical Research Agency, it appears that the pilot descended too rapidly during the last turn to the left and failed to allow for the possibility of a downdraft. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
According to the Air Force Historical Research Agency, it appears that the pilot descended too rapidly during the last turn to the left and failed to allow for the possibility of a downdraft. At any rate, (the) pilot wound up below the level of the field, still in a turning attitude, (then the) aircraft struck a tree, crashed and burned.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The crew was performing a flight from Fargo to Billings with 21 veterans on board. In flight, the weather conditions at destination worsened and visibility dropped from 10 miles to half a mile due to heavy snow storm. On final approach to Billings Airport, the aircraft was too low, hit a tree and crashed in flames in a snow covered field, 400 meters short of runway threshold. Both pilots and 17 passengers were killed, four others were seriously injured. Those killed were: Crew: Cpt George D. Miller, pilot, Cpt Vernon Pfannkuch, pilot. Maj Ray Craft, S/Sgt Thomas Thomsen, T/Sgt Glenn Marr, Sgt Don Haley, Tec Virgil Kinne, Tec Warren Parrish, Lt Anthony Alnsky, Pfc Clayton Thompson, Tec Fred Chapman, Pfc Maceo Hobbs, Pfc Walter Orchard, Tec John Marshall, Sgt Charles Ennen, Cpl Lorrell Cassell, Tec Ned Neasham, Pfc David Gillett, Tec Adolph Tokie. Those who survived were: Tec Emil A. Hasch, Pfc Raymond Parkins, Cpl Milford Barnes, Tec Raymond Emerson.
Probable cause (official findings): According to the Air Force Historical Research Agency, it appears that the pilot descended too rapidly during the last turn to the left and failed to allow for the possibility of a downdraft. At any rate, (the) pilot wound up below the level of the field, still in a turning attitude, (then the) aircraft struck a tree, crashed and burned.