Catalonia | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While flying in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit a mountain slope in the Peni Mountains. All 12 crew members were killed.
Crew (16th Squadron):
Cpl Christian Jean Becht,
S/Sgt Fred Clanton,
2nd Lt Earl Richard Clement,
2nd Lt Harvey Julian Hanson,
1st Lt John Albert MacDonald,
2nd Lt John Kemp Pheley,
S/Sgt Leonard Lable Rosenburg,
2nd Lt Robert Murray Ryan,
S/Sgt John Louis Scala,
S/Sgt Guy Edward Shoff,
T/Sgt James Theodore Thomas,
T/Sgt Thayer Todd Turman .

Probable cause:

According to the USAF Air Command, the accident was caused by a navigational error.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.75C in Barcelona: 8 killed

Date & Time: May 16, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Savoia-Marchetti SM.75

Operator:

Registration:

I-LUPI

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Barcelona – Rome

MSN:

32038

YOM:

1939

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the three engine aircraft nosed up, stalled and crashed on the runway, bursting into flames. All eight occupants were killed. The airplane was on its way back to Italy on behalf of the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiane).

Probable cause:

On rotation, the cargo shifted to the rear, modifying the center of gravity and unbalancing the aircraft that went out of control and crashed.

Crash of a Junkers JU.52/3mte near Tivissa: 7 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Junkers JU.52

Operator:

Registration:

D-AUJG

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Cologne – Toulouse – Barcelona – Casablanca

MSN:

5942

YOM:

1938

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En route from Barcelona to Casablanca, while cruising southwest of Tarragona, the three engine aircraft named 'Hans Wende' impacted the slope of a mountain located in the Sierra de Llaberia, near Tivissa. All seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a Spartan 7W Executive in Vilajuïga: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 5, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Spartan 7 Executive

Operator:

Registration:

EC-AGM

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Vilajuïga – Bordeaux

MSN:

7W-4

YOM:

1937

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Takeoff from Vilajuïga was initiated in poor visibility when the aircraft collided with a petrol tanker parked near the end of the runway and crashed, bursting into flames. Both crew members were killed while the passenger was seriously injured.
Crew:
Cpt Juan Quintana y Ladron, pilot,
Francisco Santos Roda, flight engineer.
Passenger:
Lucio Gonzalez y Arnold.

Crash of a Fokker F20 in Barcelona

Date & Time: Feb 28, 1938

Type of aircraft:

Fokker F20

Operator:

Registration:

EC-45-E

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

5347

YOM:

1936

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The three engine airplane suffered an accident at Barcelona Airport somewhere in February 1938 (exact date unknown). Was piloted by Eduardo Soriano. Occupant fate unknown.

Crash of a Macchi M.9 off Barcelona: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1934

Type of aircraft:

Macchi M.9

Operator:

Spanish Air Force - Aeronáutica Militar (1917-1936)

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

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The pilot Lt José de Sandoval, sole on board, was killed when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Barcelona.

Crash of a Latécoère 25-3R in Roses

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1933

Type of aircraft:

Latécoère 25

Operator:

Registration:

F-AIGI

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

617

YOM:

1926

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Circumstances:

While on a mail flight to France, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane crash landed in Roses and was damaged beyond repair. Both crew members were uninjured.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.62 off Castelldefels: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1933

Type of aircraft:

Savoia-Marchetti SM.62

Operator:

Registration:

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

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The seaplane was engaged in a test flight when it crashed in unknown circumstances off Castelldefels. Two crew members were rescued while four others were killed.
Those killed were:
Cpt Juan Montis Villalonga,
Cpt Joaquín Arbolí Hidalgo,
Aux Antonio Lagos Albizu,
Aux Germán Rodriguez Fernandez.

Crash of a Latécoère 28-1 in Viladrau: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1933 at 1500 LT

Type of aircraft:

Latécoère 28

Operator:

Registration:

F-AJIX

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Casablanca – Alicante – Barcelona – Perpignan – Toulouse

MSN:

904

YOM:

1929

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Circumstances:

Following a stop in Barcelona, the crew continued to Perpignan and reported by radio at 1430LT he was climbing over clouds to have a better visibility. This transmission was the last one. Shortly later, while cruising in foggy conditions over a mountainous area, the aircraft collided with a small unoccupied house and crashed near Viladrau, southwest of Gerona. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Crew:
Jacques Emler, pilot,
René Riguelle, pilot,
Alfred Guychard, radio navigator.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.80A Puss Moth in Gandesa: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 29, 1932

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth

Operator:

A. Bischoff

Registration:

CH-273

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

2192

YOM:

1931

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Circumstances:

En route, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions. The single engine airplane impacted the slope of a mountain located near Gandesa and was destroyed. Both occupants, the Swiss pilot Albert Klugg and his wife were killed.