Vought-Sikorsky VS-44 accident at Botwood, Canada, 3 Oct 1942 (NC41880)
On October 3, 1942, a Vought-Sikorsky VS-44 (registration NC41880) operated by American Export Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Botwood, Canada during takeoff. 11 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The copilot was in command at the time of the accident. While climbing, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea due to a false trailing edge flaps position to 35°. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
Probable cause
The copilot was in command at the time of the accident. While climbing, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea due to a false trailing edge flaps position to 35°. According to investigations, it appears that crew did not complete the preflight briefing and the copilot was not sufficiently familiarized with this type of aircraft. The security system in charge to position the trailing edge flaps in a safety angle for the climbing procedure has been disconnected during a previous flight for unknown reasons. The crew did not realize the trailing edge flaps were deployed at 35° and the alarm coupled to this system did not activate because it was on OFF position.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
Shortly after takeoff from Botwood Bay, some 60 km northwest of Gander, while climbing, the seaplane lost height and crashed into the sea few hundred metres offshore. Eleven occupants, among them five crew members, were killed. 26 other occupants were injured. The seaplane was destroyed.
Probable cause (official findings): The copilot was in command at the time of the accident. While climbing, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea due to a false trailing edge flaps position to 35°. According to investigations, it appears that crew did not complete the preflight briefing and the copilot was not sufficiently familiarized with this type of aircraft. The security system in charge to position the trailing edge flaps in a safety angle for the climbing procedure has been disconnected during a previous flight for unknown reasons. The crew did not realize the trailing edge flaps were deployed at 35° and the alarm coupled to this system did not activate because it was on OFF position.