Douglas DC-3C/BT-67R TZ389
15 March 1997 · Newton, Wisconsin, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 15 March 1997 at about 21:28 local time, a Douglas DC-3C/BT-67R registered TZ389 was involved in an accident near Newton, Wisconsin, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 21:28
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Newton, Wisconsin, United States
- Coordinates
- 43.9904, -87.7301
- Aircraft
- Douglas DC-3C/BT-67R
- Registration
- TZ389
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Oshkosh → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI97FA084
People
4 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
failure of the Beech A36 pilot to maintain clearance from the modified Douglas DC-3, while positioning the A36 for photography of the DC-3.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
At 1400 cst, modified Douglas DC-3C/BT-67R, TZ389, & Beech A36, N3657A, began formation flight to get DC-3 flying time & for the 2nd occupant of the A36 to get aerial photos of the DC-3. A witness saw the airplanes (acft) at 500' to 700' agl, "flying close together heading north." He said "the big plane (DC-3) was flying straight & level. The little plane (A36) was just to the west of the big plane. The little plane then hit the big plane near the middle." After impact, pieces of acft were seen falling. Another witness saw the DC-3 heading north & the A36 circling it above & below. On its last pass, the A36 circled behind the DC-3, then crossed over the top & hitting the top of the DC-3. About 5 seconds after impact, the DC-3 gently rolled/turned westbound (apparently descending & gaining airspeed); the left wing then came off, followed by the right wing about 2 seconds later. Parts of the A36 empennage were found 3590 to 4910 ft from the main wreckage. There was evidence that during impact, the DC-3 elevator and rudder controls were severed. No preimpact anomalies were found. At 1445cst, an AIRMET had been issued, forecasting light to moderate turbulence below 8,000 ft msl. Toxicology tests of the DC-3 copilot's blood showed 0.127 mcg/ml amitriptyline (a prescription antidepressant with sedative side effects), 0.039 mcg/ml nortriptyline (metabolite of amitriptyline), and an undetermined amount of ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine (over-the-counter medications used in cold preparations, diet aids & stimulants).
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas DC-3C/BT-67R DC-3C/BT-6 | TZ389 | - | Destroyed |
| Beechcraft A36 A36 | N3657A | - | Destroyed |
Other Douglas DC-3C accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Nov 1997 | Douglas DC-3C | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 3 Feb 1998 | Douglas DC-3C | Moss Town, Haiti | Missionary Flight INT | No injuries | - |
| 31 Jul 1998 | Douglas DC-3C | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | Galaxy Air Cargo, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 10 Dec 1996 | Douglas DC-3C | Boise, Idaho, United States | Desert Air Transport, Inc. | Fatal | 2 |
| 24 May 1998 | Douglas DC-3C | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | Galaxy Air Cargo Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 17 Feb 1999 | Douglas DC-3C | Nassau, Bahamas | Florida Air Cargo, Inc. | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jul 1997 | Cessna 182 | Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jul 1997 | Schweizer SGS 2-8 | Menominee Falls, Wisconsin, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 24 Jul 1997 | Beechcraft B-23 | Watertown, Wisconsin, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 1997 | Sorrell SNS-7 | Tomahawk, Wisconsin, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Jul 1997 | Jenkins RV-6 | Middleton, Wisconsin, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 2 Aug 1997 | Briegleb BG-12A | Superior, Wisconsin, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |