Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) crash, Oct 3, 1978 (15 killed)
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident on October 3, 1978 near Kuopio Northern Savonia, Finland with 15 fatalities. Cause: Metal fatigue failure of a...
- Date: October 3, 1978
- Aircraft: Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
- Location: Kuopio Northern Savonia, Finland
- Fatalities: 15
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: Metal fatigue failure of a cylinder in the right engine. The pilot likely also turned too steeply while attempting to return to the airport.
A Finnish Air Force Douglas C-47 (DO-10) departed Kuopio Airport for Helsinki on the evening of 3 October 1978. Shortly after takeoff the right engine failed. The pilot turned back toward the airport but the aircraft lost height and crashed into Lake Juurusvesi about one km from the airport. All 15 occupants were killed, most of them politicians and businessmen returning from a National Defence Course meeting.