No fatalities

1950-09-14: Douglas C-54 Skymaster (TF-RVC) — Loftleidir Icelandic Airlines — Vatnajökull, Iceland

Vatnajökull, IcelandFlight

On September 14, 1950, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration TF-RVC) operated by Loftleidir Icelandic Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Vatnajökull, Iceland in flight. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781257615Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine aircraft named 'Geysir' struck the Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland at 6,000 feet. Wreckage was found four days later, and rescuers reached the site after two more days. All six crew members survived, aided by cargo of furs and chocolate.

Accident

While flying at an altitude of 6,000 feet, the four-engine aircraft christened 'Geysir' hit the northwest slope of the Vatnajökull glacier in the southeast part of Iceland. The aircraft was performing a cargo flight from Luxembourg to New York with an intermediate stop in Reykjavik.

Rescue Efforts

As the airplane failed to arrive, search and rescue operations were conducted. However, due to poor weather conditions, the wreckage was spotted only four days after the accident. Because the crash site was difficult to reach, the first rescuers arrived on site two days later, on September 20.

Survival

The aircraft was destroyed, but all six crew members survived. Their survival was attributed to the cargo, which turned out to contain expensive furs and Swiss chocolate.