No fatalities

Training Aircraft Crash During Final Approach Due to Excessive Descent Rate (N30065)

Chicago-Midway, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On May 29, 1946, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration N30065) operated by United Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Chicago-Midway, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident occurred because the aircraft was configured with an excessive nose-down attitude during the final approach segment, leading to an unsafe rate of descent. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A training aircraft crashed into the runway surface during a local mission after entering final approach with an excessive rate of descent, resulting in injuries to all four crew members.

What happened

The flight crew was conducting a local training exercise that included approaches, landings, and touch-and-go maneuvers. During the final segment of the approach, the aircraft descended at an excessive rate. The machine struck the runway surface violently, causing significant structural damage. Both wings and all undercarriage components were sheared off upon impact before the airframe came to a complete stop. All four individuals on board, who were participating in a check flight, sustained injuries. The aircraft was declared a total loss.

Findings

Investigation determined that the primary factor leading to the accident was an incorrect approach configuration. Specifically, the aircraft maintained an excessive nose-down attitude during the last segment of the flight, which resulted in a descent rate that was too high for a safe landing.

Probable cause

The accident occurred because the aircraft was configured with an excessive nose-down attitude during the final approach segment, leading to an unsafe rate of descent.