Investigation Summary
The flight was a non-scheduled charter intended to transport the University of Evansville basketball team to Nashville for a game against Middle Tennessee State University. The aircraft, a 1941-built Douglas C-53, had arrived late due to poor weather. During the turnaround, the team's baggage was loaded into the rear compartment. Investigators found that the crew failed to ensure the baggage was distributed according to the load manifest, resulting in a center of gravity that was aft of the optimum range, though still within certified limits. Crucially, the external gust locks on the rudder and the right aileron remained installed as the aircraft taxied to Runway 18. The crew received a warning about wake turbulence from a preceding aircraft and, upon liftoff at 19:22 local time, the DC-3 immediately pitched up into a "region of reversed command." With the flight controls physically restricted by the locks and the tail-heavy weight distribution, the pilots were unable to lower the nose or maintain lateral control. The aircraft remained airborne for less than 90 seconds before crashing into a field near the airport.
Final Conclusions
The NTSB issued its final report (NTSB-AAR-78-10) approximately eight months after the accident. The board concluded the probable cause was the attempted takeoff with rudder and right aileron control locks installed. The rearward center of gravity was cited as a major contributing factor that exacerbated the control difficulties, leading to a stall from which recovery was impossible at low altitude.
Video Analysis
1977 University of Evansville Plane Crash – 43rd Anniversary — A memorial tribute by the University of Evansville chaplain remembering the 29 victims of Air Indiana Flight 216, including players, coaches, and staff.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Pilot
Ty Van Pham, aged 42.
First Officer
Gaston Ruiz, aged 35.
Systems & Failure Modes
Gust Locks
External or internal mechanical devices used to secure control surfaces (rudder, ailerons, elevators) while parked to prevent wind damage; if not removed, they physically prevent the pilot from moving the flight controls.
Weight and Balance
The calculation of the aircraft's center of gravity; in this case, improper baggage loading shifted the weight too far to the rear, increasing the aircraft's tendency to pitch up.
Interesting Facts
- 01The accident killed 14 players and the head coach of the University of Evansville basketball team.
- 02The pilot, Ty Van Pham, was a former personal pilot for the Prime Minister of South Vietnam.
- 03The aircraft was a Douglas C-53, a military version of the DC-3, manufactured in 1941.
- 04External gust locks were found still attached to the wreckage of the rudder and right aileron.
- 05One member of the basketball team was not on the flight due to injury; he was killed in a car accident two weeks later.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Pre-flight Checklist Reinforcement
The accident highlighted the critical importance of 'control free and correct' checks during the pre-takeoff sequence to ensure all gust locks are removed.