No fatalities

Aircraft excursion during takeoff at runway (150187)

Þórshöfn, IcelandTakeoff (climb)

On July 25, 1969, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration 150187) operated by United States Navy - USN was involved in an aviation accident near Þórshöfn, Iceland during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft veered off the runway during the takeoff roll, leading to a hull loss. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft veered off the runway during its takeoff roll, resulting in significant damage to the airframe but no loss of life.

What happened

During the takeoff phase of flight, the aircraft experienced a sudden deviation from its intended path on the runway. The pilot attempted to correct the movement by swerving, but the aircraft ultimately veered off the paved surface and came to a halt.

While the incident resulted in no fatalities or injuries, the impact with the ground caused extensive structural damage to the plane. Due to the severity of the damage sustained during the excursion, the aircraft was declared a total loss and was subsequently abandoned at the site.

Findings

  • The aircraft exited the runway during its takeoff roll.
  • The primary factor in the accident was the uncontrolled swerve on the runway which led to the departure from the paved surface.

Probable cause

The aircraft veered off the runway during the takeoff roll, leading to a hull loss.