Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3) accident at Sedalia AFB, United States of America, 5 Sept 1943 (42-68841)
On September 5, 1943, a Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3) (registration 42-68841) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Sedalia AFB, United States of America in flight. 11 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control caused by strong winds blowing while the aircraft was flown at an altitude of 6,000 feet. 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
Loss of control caused by strong winds blowing while the aircraft was flown at an altitude of 6,000 feet.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The crew was completing a training program in the region of Sedalia. En route, while cruising by night in poor weather conditions, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a prairie, killing all 11 occupants. Crew: 2nd Lt Charles W. Barnett, T/Sgt Orville H. Clayton, Pfc Paul W. Crawford, Cpl Ralph V. Hoar, Pfc Franklin M. Hogan, 1st Lt Donald F. Parks, Cpl Emmett W. Reynolds, Pvt Edward N. Roberts, 1st Lt Alvin Y. Tillman Jr 2.
Probable cause (official findings): Loss of control caused by strong winds blowing while the aircraft was flown at an altitude of 6,000 feet.