This is a list of accidents and incidents involving the Douglas DC-3 that occurred in 1952, including aircraft based on the DC-3 airframe such as the Douglas C-47 Skytrain and Lisunov Li-2. Military accidents are included; and hijackings and incidents of terrorism are covered, although acts of war involving military aircraft are outside the scope of this list.
January
January 9 Aeroflot Flight 203 (a Lisunov Li-2, registration CCCP-L4315) crashed while on approach to Stalingrad (now Volgograd) due to crew error, killing three of four crew; the aircraft was operating a Moscow-Voronezh-Stalingrad-Baku cargo service. January 10 An Aer Lingus Dakota III (registration EI-AFL, named Saint Kevin) crashed at Cwn Edno due to a loss of control after entering a downdraft near the mountain, Moel Siabod, killing all 20 passengers, and a crew of three on board. January 12 General Airways Flight 785 (a C-47A, registration N21748) disappeared while on a Portland-Annette Island-Anchorage-Merrill Field cargo service; the wreckage was found the next day on the side of Mount Crillon; both pilots died; improper navigation led to deviation from the planned course.
February
February 4 A Sabena C-47A (registration OO-CBN) crashed near Kikwit, Belgian Congo due to propeller separation and resultant loss of control, killing all 16 on board. February 19 A Deccan Airways C-47A (registration VT-AXE) crashed on landing at Sonegaon Airport due to pilot error and possible misread altimeter, killing three of 16 on board. February 28 A Panair do Brasil DC-3A-393 (registration PP-PCN) struck trees at Uberlandia, Brazil due to pilot error while on a go-around, killing eight of 31 on board.
March
March 10 A Philippine Airlines C-47A (registration PI-C5) struck a roof of a house and crashed at Lahug, Cebu while on a cargo service, killing all three on board. March 22 A Maritime Central Airways C-47-DL (registration CF-BXZ) disappeared while on a Saint John-Goose Bay cargo service, killing all four on board; the wreckage was found on August 27, 1953. March 30 A Philippine Airlines C-47A (registration PI-C270) crashed on takeoff from Loakan Airport, killing 10 of 29 on board.
April
April 2 A Fred. Olsen Airtransport C-47A (registration LN-NAE) carried out a forced landing on a beach during approach to Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport, France, after experiencing engine difficulties and severe weather. There were no fatalities, but the aircraft was written off. April 4 A USAF VC-47D (serial number 45-926) collided in mid-air at night with Douglas C-124 Globemaster II 50-1260 near Brookley Air Force Base, killing all 15 on board both aircraft. April 29 A USAF C-47A (serial number 43-15379) of 21st Troop Carrier Squadron, crashed off "Dentist C", South Korea while on a Seoul to Cho-do Island evacuation flight, killing all eight on board. April 30 A Deccan Airways C-47A (registration VT-AUN) crashed at Safdarjung Airport due to engine failure caused by possible fuel starvation, killing all nine on board.
May
May 3 An Aeroflot Li-2 (registration CCCP-L4602) disappeared while on a Yakutsk-Khandyga-Allaiha cargo service with four crew on board; the wreckage was found on May 11, 1952 on a mountain northwest of Khandyga; pilot and ATC errors were blamed. May 5 A Fred. Olsen Airtransport C-47A (registration LN-NAD) crashed 15 mi southwest of Skien, Norway due to "faulty navigation", killing 11 of 29 on board. May 13 A VASP C-47B (registration PP-SPM) crashed at São Paulo due to engine failure, killing five of 22 on board. May 19 A LOT Polish Airlines Li-2T (registration SP-LBD) crashed near Sowina, Poland.
July
July 11 A Brazilian Air Force C-47A (serial number FAB2048) crashed off Marau, Brazil due to an engine fire, killing 13 of 33 on board. July 19 An Aeroflot Li-2 (registration CCCP-L4197) stalled and crashed during a training flight at Spilve Airport due to double engine failure caused by crew error, killing the four crew.
August
August 12 A Transportes Aéreos Nacional C-47A (registration PP-ANH) crashed at Palmeiras de Goias, Brazil due to a bomb explosion, killing all 24 on board. August 22 A Hungarian Air Force Li-2T (serial number 210) crashed at Apácapuszta, Hungary due to an incorrect trim setting while performing one-engine maneuvers at night.
September
September 28 An Aeroflot/Far East Li-2 (registration CCCP-L4673) disappeared with seven on board while being ferried from Khabarovsk to Tashkent (with stops at Krasnoyarsk and Novosibirsk) for repairs; the wreckage was accidentally found from Kemerovo on May 27, 1967; bad weather was blamed.