13-12-1950-SW-DC-4-HB-ILE - Aviation History Switzerland

Ablauf:

DC-4 HB-ILE macht eine Bruchlandung und wird im folgenden Feuer zerstört. Alle Passagiere und Crew werden gerettet und werden von TWA nach New York geflogen. Crew: Captain O.M. Henningsmoen, F/O Kurt Ris, F/O Theo Schwarzenbach, NAV Hans Gabathuler, R/O Hans Joerg, R/= Jakob Wismer, Cabine Ernst Wehrli, Cabine Adolf Zeller, Cabine Max Hintermann, Cabine Helene McClure-Gloor, Cabine Martha Schmid

https://www.e-pics.ethz.ch/index/ethbib.bildarchiv/ETHBIB.Bildarchiv_LBS_SR03-10895_582230.html


Flug von: Shannon Airport (SNN/EINN), Irland
Flug nach: Gander Airport, NF (YQX/CYQX), Kanada

Unfallbericht:
The Swissair DC-4 had taken off from Geneva for a flight to New York via Shannon and Gander. Bad weather at Gander forced the crew to divert to Sydney. The aircraft descended too low on finals and struck a number of approach light poles. Full power was added, but no. 1 and 2 prop damage caused the plane to swing to the left. The DC-4 struck the ground in a left-wing-low attitude.
The wing was sheared off. Small fires broke out on the left hand side, but were controlled by the crew. About 30 minutes later fire again broke out which destroyed the forward fuselage.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The impact of the aircraft with the ground while out of control due to failure on the part of the captain to maintain sufficient height to clear the approach light poles, three of which were struck by the aircraft. After striking the approach light poles, the captain and first officer were unable to maintain control of the aircraft due to the malfunctioning of numbers 1 and 2 engines and structural damage to the left wing and flap."
While approaching Gander in poor weather conditions, ATC instructed the crew to divert to Sydney, Nova Scotia. On final approach, the aircraft was too low and hit three approach lights. Immediately, the pilot in command increased power but as both left engines were damaged by obstacle impact, they failed to respond properly. As a result, the left wing stalled and the aircraft crashed in flames few dozen yards short of runway. All 31 occupants were able to evacuate the cabin and the crew extinguished the fire. Unfortunately, thirty minutes later, another fire erupted on the left side of the aircraft, partially destroying the airplane. Carrying 2,5 tons of cargo, the aircraft christened 'Zürich' was performing a regular schedule flight from Zurich to New York via Geneva, Shannon and Gander.

Causes
The impact of the aircraft with the ground while out of control due to failure on the part of the captain to maintain sufficient height to clear the approach light poles, three of which were struck by the aircraft. After striking the approach light poles, the captain and first officer were unable to maintain control of the aircraft due to the malfunctioning of numbers 1 and 2 engines and structural damage to the left wing and flap

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13.12.1950 / Douglas DC-4 / HB-ILE
O. M.  Henningsmoen  (Kapitän)
Kurt Ris     (F/O)
Theo Schwarzenbach  (F/O)
Hans Gabathuler  (NAV) ,  Hans Joerg  (R/O), Jakob Wismer  (R/)
Kabine:  Ernst Wehrli,  Adolf Zeller, Max Hintermann,  Helene McClure-Gloor, Martha Schmid
+ 20 Passagiere
Sydney Airport, NS / Kanada