Flight Details
The purpose of the flight was to provide training to the copilot for a new Part 135 operation. The aircraft involved was a Douglas DC-3, registration N47CE. All three occupants were killed in the accident.
Accident Sequence
Witnesses observed the DC-3 maneuvering at 3,000 feet MSL (approximately 2,200 feet AGL) with the landing gear and flaps extended. Shortly after completing a turn, the aircraft was seen in a nose-high attitude before entering a spin. According to witnesses, the aircraft appeared to stop spinning but then entered a secondary spin and crashed before recovery could be accomplished.
Examination Findings
An examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact part failure or malfunction, though the aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire. The landing gear and flaps were found fully extended, and the elevator trim was set to a full nose-up position.
Pilot Information
The pilot-in-command (PIC) had 30 hours of flight time in the make and model of aircraft. No record was found to show that the PIC had been trained in approaches to stalls. The copilot was a retired airline pilot who had flown the DC-3 in the 1940s, indicating a lack of recent experience in the type.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause states: the pilot-in-command failed to provide adequate supervision while training the copilot and allowed the aircraft to enter a stall/spin, then did not provide adequate remedial action to properly recover from the spin. Factors related to the accident were: use of excessive elevator trim, the PIC's lack of training (in approaches to stalls) and lack of experience in the make/model of aircraft, and the copilot's lack of recent experience in the make/model of aircraft.