Crash of a Douglas A-26C-25-DT Invader near El Jadida: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
43-22590
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sidi Slimane - Sidi Slimane
MSN:
18737
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4200
Circumstances:
The crew left Sidi Slimane AFB at 1826LT for a 2,5 hours training flight with two other similar aircraft. After departure, the captain completed the level off at an altitude of 2,000 feet and proceeded to the southwest. Later, while cruising at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the crew completed several maneuvers and circuits then started his way back to Sidi Slimane AFB via Azemmour. Suddenly, the right engine failed. The captain increased power on the left engine that failed shortly later. He attempted to make an emergency landing in a field located near Cap Blanc, about 15 km southwest of El Jadida. After a night descent of 300 feet per minute with its landing gear down, the airplane landed at a speed of 130 knots in a field. After a course of dozen yards, it collided with a rocky wall, lost its both engines and came to rest. First rescuers arrived on site at 0200LT on January 15. Two crew members were killed while two others were seriously injured.
Crew (based at Laon-Couvron AFB, France):
Col John Crocker, pilot, †
Cpt Gene Robert, copilot,
1st Lt Gordon Stewart, navigator, †
S/Sgt Theo McCool, gunner.
Probable cause:
The cause of the failure of the right engine could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the failure of the left engine was the result of a mistake on part of the pilot-in-command while trying to complete an emergency maneuver.

Crash of a Canadian Vickers PBV-1A Canso A in Ashuanipi Lake

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1953
Registration:
CF-DIK
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ashuanipi Lake - Ashuanipi Lake
MSN:
CV-445
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While making a practice landing at Ashuanipi Lake, Labrador, the Canso's starboard float dug. The airplane swung, filled with water and sank by a depth of 200 feet. There were no casualties. The accident occurred in 1953 (exact date remains unknown).

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I at Kfar Sirking AFB

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2813
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kfar Sirkin - Kfar Sirkin
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed while taking off from Kfar Sirkin AFB, east of Tel Aviv. All four crew members were evacuated safely while the aircraft was written off.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson XI off Canvey Island

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PH812
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
A dual engine failure forced the crew to ditch the aircraft into the Thames off the Canvey Island, Essex. Both crew members were rescued while the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster III at RAF St Eval

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TX265
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saint Mawgan - Saint Eval
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training flight from RAF St Mawgan to RAF St Eval. On final approach, the aircraft was too low and hit approach lights. The crew attempted to make a go around when the airplane crashed short of runway. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 near Luqa: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VX575
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Luqa - Luqa
YOM:
1950
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Luqa Airport on a local training flight, while climbing to a height of 50 feet, the right engine oversped. The pilot elected to shut down the engine and to feather the propeller but was unable to do so. The crew decided to return for a safe landing but was eventually forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a field located 8 km north of the airport and came to rest in flames. The navigator was killed while four other crew members were injured.
Probable cause:
Technical issue on the right engine after takeoff. Propeller oversped, crew unable to feather the propeller and to shot down the engine.

Crash of an Avro 696 Shackleton MR.2 off Isle of Mull: 10 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1953 at 1730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WL746
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ballykelly - Ballykelly
YOM:
1953
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed RAF Ballykelly to conduct radar homings on a submarine in the Lough Foyle - Rathlin Island area; this exercise was to be followed by a navigation exercise. The crew completed the anti-submarine procedures and made its last radio call at 1715LT. At 1730LT several civilians on the Isle of Mull heard a low-flying aircraft and an explosion. Wreckage was found on the Isle of Mull and the nearby mainland, although it is not clear whether this wreckage was found on the coastline or further inland. All 10 crew died in the accident. The condition of some of the wreckage indicated an extremely violent impact, but the cause of the accident was never established. In March 1954, further wreckage was found in the Sound of Mull which led experts to conclude that the aircraft appeared to have struck the water whilst turning to starboard in a nose down attitude. A search of the high ground on the Isle of Mull did not reveal any evidence of a glancing impact. Contemporary press cuttings indicate that it crashed in the Sound of Mull with the wreckage being found by the frigate HMS Volage on 13th December 1953. A month later a further cutting reports two bodies being found.
Crew:
F/Lt Fielding Chevallier, pilot,
F/Sgt Arthur Gordon McReavy, pilot,
F/O Horace Alexander Brown, navigator,
P/O Alfred Brinkman, navigator,
Sgt Maurice Wilfred Richard Griffin, flight engineer,
Sgt Patrick William Harrington, flight engineer,
Sgt Lewis Ralph Allen, air signaller,
Sgt Michael Barron Bern, air signaller,
Sgt John Dodd, air signaller,
Sgt Maurice James Griffin, air signaller.
Source: https://www.findagrave.com
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of a Fiat G.212 in Rome

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1953 at 1235 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MM61637
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rome - Rome
MSN:
11
YOM:
1948
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training flight at Rome-Centocelle Airport. On final, he decided to make a go around because another small plane was approaching the same airport. Doing so, the three engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a sandy area short of runway and eventually collided with a dyke. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G-FA Flying Boxcar in Newton Falls: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1953 at 1225 LT
Operator:
Registration:
51-8086
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sewart - Sewart
MSN:
10980
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and the aircraft dove into the ground. At a height of 200 feet, a crew member was able to bail out, his parachute opened at 150 feet and he was found alive. The aircraft crashed in a huge explosion in a wooded area located 1,5 mile south of Newton Falls and burned for about two hours. Both other crew members were killed.

Crash of a Convair T-29B at Harlingen AFB

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1953 at 0015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
51-7905
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Harlingen - Harlingen
MSN:
317
YOM:
1951
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training mission at Harlingen AFB. On final approach at night, the airplane impacted the ground, lost its wings and crashed in an open field located about a mile short of runway threshold. All 10 occupants were rescued, among them three were injured. Those injured were Maj Dorn P. Olmacher, 2nd Lt Lewis H. Sutter and 2nd Lt William Hoffman.