Crash of a Sikorsky C-6A in Oceanside: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1933 at 1210 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
30-399
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
March AFB - San Diego
MSN:
514-2
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The seaplane departed March AFB on a flight to San Diego-Rockwell Field. While cruising at an altitude of 3,000 feet, the airplane suffered a structural failure. It entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a pasture in Oceanside. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and all seven crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt Carl H. Murray,
Sgt Archie W. Snodgrass,
Sgt Bonnell L. Herrick,
Cpl Walter T. Taylor,
Pvt Stanley Book,
Pvt Albert Overend,
Pvt Vincent Galdin.
Probable cause:
The airplane suffered a structural failure in flight after a wing strut failed at an altitude of 3,000 feet. As a result of this accident, all remaining USAAC Sikorsky C-6 were withdrawn from use and scrapped.

Crash of a Boeing 40B-4 in Burbank: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 16, 1932 at 2337 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC5389
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
San Diego - Burbank
MSN:
1042
YOM:
1928
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On approach to Burbank Airport, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to the night and foggy conditions. On final, the airplane went out of control and crashed, killing all three occupants.

Crash of a Boeing 40B-4 in Burbank: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 1931 at 2330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC5390
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
San Diego – Burbank
MSN:
1044
YOM:
1928
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from San Diego, the pilot initiated a night approach to Hollywood-Burbank Airport. The visibility was poor due to the night and foggy conditions. On approach, the airplane impacted the slope of a mountain located in the La Tuna Canyon Park, about 5 km northeast of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Bach 3-CT-6 Air Yacht in Glendale

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC539E
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Glendale – San Diego
MSN:
7
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Glendale-Grand Central Airport, while in initial climb, one or two engine failed. Pilot attempted to make an emergency landing three miles of the airport. Upon landing, the aircraft overturned and came to rest upside down. All 10 occupants were slightly injured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure due to gas-line stoppage.

Crash of a Ford 5 in San Diego: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1929 at 1145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC9636
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
San Diego - Phoenix
MSN:
5-AT-010
YOM:
1928
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Ten minutes after takeoff from San Diego Airport, while climbing to a height of 2,000 feet, the three engine aircraft collided with an USAAC's Boeing PW-9D registered 28-37. Both aircraft dove into the ground and were totally destroyed. All six people onboard both aircraft were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot of the USAAC's aircraft was cruising in an unauthorized zone at the time of the accident, in violation of published navigation rules.