6 fatalities

Ferry Flight Crashes After Door Detachment on Approach (51-2621)

Paris-Orly, FranceLanding (descent or approach)

On November 27, 1953, a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar (registration 51-2621) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Paris-Orly, France during landing or approach. 6 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It is believed that the loss of control may have been caused by the loss of the rear clam shell door which detached on final approach and struck the horizontal stabilizer, causing the failure of the empennage and the subsequent crash of the airplane. 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

A ferry flight from Delaware to Germany crashed near Paris-Orly after a rear clam shell door detached and struck the horizontal stabilizer, causing loss of control. All six occupants were killed.

Route

The aircraft was conducting a ferry flight from Dover, Delaware, to Frankfurt-Main Airbase. The planned route included two intermediate stops: Lajes in the Azores Islands and Paris-Orly airport.

Accident

On final approach to Paris-Orly, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames in the town of Choisy-le-Roi. The impact site was located less than four kilometers from the runway threshold. All six individuals on board perished in the accident.

Investigation

Investigators examined the wreckage and determined that the rear clam shell door had separated from the aircraft during the final approach. This door struck the horizontal stabilizer, causing a structural failure of the empennage. The resultant loss of control led to the crash.

Probable Cause

The official probable cause, as determined by investigators, is that the loss of control may have been caused by the loss of the rear clam shell door, which detached on final approach and struck the horizontal stabilizer, causing the failure of the empennage and the subsequent crash of the airplane.