On July 21, 2018, about 0915 central daylight time, a tailwheel equipped Douglas C47-B (DC-3) twin-engine airplane, N47HL, was destroyed when it impacted terrain during takeoff from the Burnet Municipal Airport, Burnet, Texas. The airplane was registered to American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum Inc., and operated by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) as a personal flight. The airline transport captain, crew chief, and 4 passengers sustained serious injuries, 1 passenger sustained minor injuries, and the airline transport co-pilot and 5 passengers were not injured.
Representatives from the CAF reported that the intention of the flight was to travel to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to attend an airshow, with an intermediate fuel stop at Sedalia Regional Airport (DMO).
The co-pilot, who was the flying pilot reported that prior to the flight, it was briefed that he would perform the takeoff. He stated that the captain taxied the airplane to the runup area, where all pre-takeoff checks were completed; the captain then taxied the airplane onto runway 19. The co-pilot further stated that he then took control of the airplane, provided a pre-takeoff brief, and initiated the takeoff sequence. About 10 seconds into the takeoff roll, the airplane drifted right, at which time he applied left rudder input. This was followed shortly by the captain saying that he had the airplane.Â
The captain, who was the non-flying pilot, reported that during the initial stages of the takeoff roll, he didn’t recall the airplane swerving to the right, however, recalled telling the co-pilot not to push the tail up because it was heavy; he also remembered the airplane swerving to the left shortly thereafter. The captain stated that he yelled “right rudder” three times before taking control of the airplane. He said that as he put his hands on the control yoke, he noticed that either the tail started to come down or the main wheels were either light or were just coming off the ground as it exited the left side of the runway. The captain said that he knew the airplane was slow as he tried to ease it [the airplane] over [to the runway] and set it back down. Subsequently, he felt the ‘shudder of a stall,” and the airplane turned to the left and impacted the ground. After the airplane came to a stop, a post-impact fire ensued, during which all the occupants of the airplane egressed through the aft left door. The most severely burned of the passengers was airlifted by helicopter to the burn unit at San Antonio Regional Medical Center, while others were transported by ambulance and personal vehicles.
The picture-in-picture video of the crash that displays at 3:19 is excerpted from footage shot by Matt Gallagher.
** (Disclaimer: This video content is intended for educational and informational purposes only) **
Laughing? 4:48.
I guess the bad guys had already left the scene! Lol
She needs to back up
Into my willy ; D
Its amazing how people who WERE NOT THERE run their mouth about this that and the other thing. If you WERE NOT THERE your "opinion" is worthless.
Where the heck was the airfield fire tender?
They need the fire Dept. & Not the cops who are useless. When fire Dept. gets there tell the cops to split . All the do is get in the way
She’s a moron. I have to do something so I will feel important but I don’t know what to do. I know. I’ll tell everybody to move back, even though they are at a safe distance AND some of them are airport personnel or aviation experts and will be giving guidance and instructions to the fire department.
Simply heartbreaking.
This video is a shameful expose of human error, from the horribly botched take off (did the PIC have any tailwheel let alone Dak time??) to a completely incompetent officer making her presence felt not assisting anyone in any way, I love the police men and women who serve and protect but unfortunately the force tends to attract bully know it all's like this female officer especially since the proliferation of cameras
Another piece of history destroyed!
Dumb ass cop!!
Tells the guy walking to move when she is the one driving straight at him??
And why is she even there??
Looking for a way to generate money?
Not to mention she is in everyone's business!
So, what was the cause of her crash?
who the hell are you to order people around you are not anybody special non what so ever i hate people like her
Got 10000 hrs cropdusting without a scratch go suck your pacifier flight instructor.
Cop needs to be home cooking.
Did you have to let it burn to the ground.
hey lady cop….laughter is not appropriate at a disaster like this, which I think some poor souls perished. you sounded as if you were at a sideshow at a circus, how about alittle more compassion???
Reply To: @Josh Irons
No,,, I am Afraid You're Wrong,,, Just How Much "3" Time Do You Have ?? This All Started By Not First Getting The Tail Wheel Planted, and Locked To The Ground,,, That's The First Thing You Do To Gain Directional Control… And Then You Force The "3" Up On "Her" Feet,,, As Soon As You Can,,, Forcing "Her" Up On "Her" Wheels… Now You've Got Her "Pinned" To The Ground,,, As You Are Accelerating Out… While At The Same Time, Maintaining Directional Control… It's Directional Control First,,, Accelerating Out Second, Lift Off Is The Last Thing You Do… You Want To Accelerate Out To VMC Speed Plus 10, and That's Way Before Any Back Pressure Is Ever Applied or You Try To Lift Off… If You Try To Take Off In a DC-3 In a Three Point Attitude, Without First "Pinning" Her To The Ground, and Without Getting "Her" Up On Her "Feet",,, and Accelerating Out,,, You're Going To Be Coming Off The "Pavement" Way Under Stall Speed Every Time… And That's Not To Mention VMC Speed… A "3" Is Not a Super Cub, or a Cessna 185,,, Nor Is It a B-17… Just Saying…
Does anyone know if the "Commemorative Air Force" (CAF) used to be called the "Confederate Air Force" (CAF) back in the 1970's? Also, were they home based in Harlingen, TX?
She needs to calm down…. Geeesssss
Twat!
Bad pilot did not lift the tail when he opened up the throttles that is the way you fly a taildragger.
Never mind "Real World Police" How about some Real World Firefighters? That is the most pathetic turn out of firefighters you can ever see……
People hate ðŸ–🔥 👮
Never ever listen or talk to a cop – go the opposite direction. You've been warned. ðŸ–🔥 👮 kill firefighters daily.
Fuqen bish inciting a panick at the Disco to get a raise — that ho over there.
ðŸ–🔥 👮
Your all stupid. Damn bunch of know it all's.
I give up what's with the Fire engine ? Parked to far back ( but did park up wind ) ! No water or foam flowing ! Female office has know idea what to do except running her mouth . Someone needs to inform her the FIRE DEPARTMENT S IN CHARGE at the scene. Myself Retired airport OP'S employee from one of the business single strip airports in the nation. ( At one time ).
To bad about the C-47 or DC-3 ! Also didn't see or hear any radio traffic on her about driving onto a active runway .
wow! where's the fire crew???????
Don't park on the runway….
God help you if you forgot to take out the trash
Taking off in a DC-3/C-47 you must raise the tail before pulling back on the yoke.
Sad to see that, glad everyone is ok. Well she could have done something useful & pee'd on it, I'm sure she would have the 'range'
Well, THAT was embarrassing!
Poor War bird that's no way to die
"Did it catch a wind or something"? Ummmm…yeah. Affirmative action at it's best. Pretty typical female cop attitude though. Come to the scene and start making yourself known by barking useless orders. I've seen it MANY times in my capacity. Worst thing is when they raise their voice. Men sound commanding or even intimidating if need be…women, well…don't. Sad to see the loss of a C-47(I work for the EAA) but glad to see everyone made it out alive. Why would the Capt allow his co-pilot to take off under those conditions. Looked like they had a substantial headwind component, they were full of pax and fuel. I'm assuming he was more experienced but my guess is that he wanted to be the one flying the leg into Oshkosh from their stop. Bad decision…
It is said that all survived this accident. That being the case, someone or some people knowledgable must know what caused or contributed to this wreck. The aerial view would lead one to believe the takeoff could have been aborted at or prior to V-1 successfully. Very heartbreaking to watch this occur, and glad to know the people got out OK, but will always wonder what were the causative factors in this incident, as historic vintage planes like this don't grow on trees anymore.
Is this the crusty the clown photo shoot man makes me seasick
Sadly there was no good reason for why this had to happen, "Gooney Birds" have a 14 to1 glide ratio. pilots were not checked out well enough to handle this delightful beauty !
Sad