Aircraft crash on Greenland ice cap during diesel oil transport mission

2 fatalities • Greenland, Greenland • Flight

A three-person crew was involved in a fatal aviation accident on the Greenland ice cap while returning from a DEW Line site.

What happened

During a scheduled mission to deliver diesel fuel, an aircraft crashed on the Greenland ice cap at approximately 03:35 local time. The flight was part of a larger operation involving multiple company-contracted planes tasked with transporting supplies from Narsarsuaq to various locations along the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line. On this specific occasion, the aircraft was completing its return journey from DEW site 39.

While performing a descent under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), the plane struck the surface of the ice cap. The momentum of the impact caused the aircraft to skid for roughly 4,500 feet before it finally stopped moving. There were no passengers on board at the time of the accident, as the crew consisted solely of three members.

Findings

The crash resulted in two fatalities and one survivor among the crew. The copilot was the only individual to survive the impact.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1957-05-13 Douglas C-54 Skymaster accident near Greenland, Greenland?

A three-person crew was involved in a fatal aviation accident on the Greenland ice cap while returning from a DEW Line site.

Were there any fatalities in the 1957-05-13 Douglas C-54 Skymaster accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1957-05-13 involved a Douglas C-54 Skymaster, registration N68736, operated by United States Overseas Airlines - USOA, at Greenland, Greenland.

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