Douglas DC-3 crash, Feb 4, 2009, Mojave-Air and Space Por...
Douglas DC-3 accident on February 4, 2009 near Mojave-Air and Space Port (Kern County), California, United States with no fatalities. Cause: The...
- Date: February 4, 2009
- Aircraft: Douglas DC-3
- Location: Mojave-Air and Space Port (Kern County), California, United States
- Fatalities: 0
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: The student pilot failed to follow the checklist and set takeoff trim, which caused loss of directional control. The instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action contributed.
A DC-3 variant used for flight test training at the National Test Pilot School at Mojave was taking off with a student pilot at the controls. The aircraft drifted right during the takeoff roll and the crew did not reduce power or brake, so it left the runway and hit a series of berms that sheared off the left gear and engine. The rudder trim was found set to full right, and the aircraft came to rest nose down.