No fatalities

Four-engine aircraft strikes concrete marker on approach to Chicago-Midway (NC95412)

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

On January 6, 1947, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration NC95412) operated by Northwest Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Chicago-Midway, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 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 four-engine aircraft crashed into flames short of the runway at Chicago-Midway Airport after striking a concrete marker during final approach, resulting in the evacuation of all 41 occupants.

What happened

During the final approach phase to Chicago-Midway Airport, a four-engine aircraft descended at an altitude that was too low for its position on the flight path. The airframe subsequently collided with a concrete marker located near the runway environment.

Following the impact, the aircraft lost structural integrity and nosed down toward the ground. It came to rest several hundred yards short of the active runway surface. A post-crash fire rapidly engulfed the wreckage, destroying the airframe completely.

Despite the severity of the collision and the subsequent fire, all 41 occupants on board were able to evacuate the aircraft quickly. No fatalities were reported in this incident.