Douglas DC3C-S4C4G accident near Charlotte, North Carolina, July 22, 1999
On July 22, 1999 at about 8:10 pm local time, a Douglas DC3C-S4C4G, registered N79017, was substantially damaged in an accident near Charlotte, North Carolina (Charlotte/Douglas Intl airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot-in-command did not use the check list which resulted in the right main landing gear collapsing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 22, 1999 · about 8:10 pm local time
- Place
- Charlotte, North Carolina · Charlotte/Douglas Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Douglas DC3C-S4C4G · all DC3C-S4C4Gs on the register
- Registration
- N79017 · no longer on the register · serial 19227
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Waiting on the ramp for taxi instructions, the copilot brought to the captain's attention that the gear lock handle was out of the down and locked position. The latch handle would not return to the mid-position. The captain then placed the gear handle in the down position to increase hydraulic pressure, and within 3 to 5 seconds the right main gear began to lower. The crew tried to shut the right engine down, but the gear collapsed before the engine stopped. Many attempts have been made by the NTSB and FAA to have Saber Cargo Airlines Inc., management personnel fill out the NTSB Form 6120. 1/2. Saber Cargo Airlines has not cooperated at all with the investigation, never returned the form 6120.1/2, and never got statements from their crew. The crew or the operator's account of the accident are not known.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,001 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: P&W R1830 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CLT
- Destination: GSO Greensboro NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 pm from CLT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.