Crash of a Lockheed C-130E Hercules in Paris-Le Bourget

Date & Time: Jan 1, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
454
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Paris-Le Bourget - Paris-Le Bourget
MSN:
4136
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Paris-Le Bourget Airport. On final approach, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames 200 meters short of runway. All six occupants were rescued while the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 5 in LOvely Banks

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
VH-CTS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lovely Banks - Lovely Banks
MSN:
04119
YOM:
1948
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
16200
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training flight at Lovely Banks Aerodrome, northwest of Geelong, Victoria. During the last segment, the level off was completed to high and the airplane struck the ground with its right main gear. Both occupants were uninjured but the aircraft was later considered as damaged beyond repair due to serious structure damages on the right wing.
Probable cause:
The instructor had little recent experience on the aircraft type and when demonstrating a landing in turbulent crosswind conditions, he leveled off too high. The right wing dropped and aircraft landed heavily on one wheel while drift was still present. The main spar was damaged and a wing displaced rearwards.

Crash of a Convair CV-580 in Santa Barbara

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1968 at 1728 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N73135
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara
MSN:
85
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4741
Captain / Total hours on type:
866.00
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful training flight in the region of Santa Barbara Airport, the aircraft belly landed, slid for few dozen yards and came to rest on the runway. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the combination of the following factors:
- The student pilot failed to extend the landing gear on approach,
- Inadequate supervision of flight on part of the pilot-in-command,
- The crew failed to use the approach checklist,
- The landing gear warning horn was inoperative for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of an Ilyushin II-14P in Berlin

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
DM-SAI
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Berlin - Berlin
MSN:
14 803 023
YOM:
1958
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Berlin-Schönefeld Airport when an unidentified technical problems occurred in flight and forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed and came to rest in flames. While all three crew members escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Boeing B-52H-145-BW Stratofortress near Minot AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1968 at 0400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
60-0027
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Minot - Minot
MSN:
464392
YOM:
1960
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful training mission of seven hours, the crew was returning to Minot AFB, North Dakota. On final approach by night, the crew encountered technical problems with the engines. Apparently due to low speed, the airplane stalled when four crew members managed to bail out. The aircraft crashed in an open field located eight miles from the airbase and was destroyed. Two crew members were rescued while four others were killed. The pilot ejected but was hit by a falling hatch after ejection and fatally injured. Sgt Blazina bailed out low and hit the ground before his chute opened.
Those killed were:
Lt Col Poole,
Maj McGuirk,
Sgt Cole,
Sgt Blazina.
Probable cause:
Fuel mismanagement on approach caused multiple flame‑out on engines number 1, 2, 3 and 4. Also, it is believed the approach speed was low at that time, causing the aircraft to stall.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.57 Ambassador 2 in Manston

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AMAG
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
London - London
MSN:
5229
YOM:
1953
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After a touch-and-go landing at Gatwick Airport, the right main gear didn't lock up. The gear was recycled and the pilot then checked the gear visually and the gear appeared to be fully retracted. On gear extension for the next landing, the right main gear warning light remained on. The gear was recycled several times, but without success. Other attempts (high g turns, using the hand pump, and touching the runway) also failed. It was then decided to make a wheels-up landing on a foam carpet at Manston.
Probable cause:
The starboard undercarriage pin had fractured and fallen out of its housing. This permitted the assembly to drop under its own weight and, as a result it was mechanically impossible for the up-lock catch to disengage from the pin on the undercarriage leg.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1649A Starliner in Stockton

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1968 at 1613 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N8081H
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Stockton - Stockton
MSN:
1026
YOM:
1958
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Stockton Airport, California. Following several uneventful circuits, the crew initiated a new approach. On final, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the right main gear struck a blast pad located 102 feet short of the runway threshold and was torn off. The airplane partially belly landed and slid for dozen yards before coming to rest. While all 11 occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The student pilot misjudged the distance and altitude on final and the pilot-in-command failed to supervise the flight adequately.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 8 in Richmond: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 21, 1968 at 1504 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N6533D
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Richmond - Richmond
MSN:
04515
YOM:
1961
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5060
Captain / Total hours on type:
2240.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the airplane banked right then crashed in a huge explosion. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed. They were conducting a local training flight at Richmond-Cuyahoga County Airport.
Probable cause:
The accident was probably caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Engine failure or malfunction during takeoff,
- Inadequate supervision of flight,
- The crew failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- The instructor cut the right engine after liftoff and the pilote retarded wrong throttle and failed to raise the flaps.
Final Report:

Crash of a Max Holste M.H. 1521M Broussard near Ancelle: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 21, 1968
Operator:
Registration:
135/F-TEBC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Salon-de-Provence - Salon-de-Provence
MSN:
184
YOM:
1958
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Salon-de-Provence Airbase on a training mission over the Alps with a pilot and five skydivers on board. While cruising at an altitude of 1,300 meters, the airplane went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in flames near Moissière Pass. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Crew:
Cpt Jean Salette.
Passengers:
S/Sgt Jean Bousquet,
Cpt Yves Charpentier,
Cpt Bernard Pergeline,
Cpt Bernard Billiet,
Cpt Max Bonnaud.

Crash of a Vickers 827 Viscount in São Paulo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1968 at 2120 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-SRE
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
São Paulo - São Paulo
MSN:
399
YOM:
1958
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training flight at São Paulo-Congonhas Airport and was completing touch-and-go manoeuvres. After takeoff, while in initial climb, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a district located 7,450 meters from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both pilots were killed as well as one people on the ground. At the time of the accident, the crew was climbing with one engine inoperative, maybe two.
Probable cause:
Loss of control due to insufficient speed while climbing with one or two engine inoperative. It is believed the crew may overestimated the aircraft capabilities and performances.