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Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II off Boston: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1972 at 2011 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Winer Sportswear
Registration:
N456CB
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Boston - Teterboro
MSN:
421B-0112
YOM:
1971
Location:
Boston-Logan
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2559
Circumstances:
The pilot initiated the flight in poor weather conditions. After takeoff from Boston-Logan Airport, while climbing in darkness, foggy conditions and rain falls, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into the Boston harbor. The aircraft sank and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions and suffered a spatial disorientation during initial climb. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling and fog,
- Visibility below minimums,
- Took off in near zero zero conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a North American B-25J Mitchell in Orange: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1970 at 0745 LT
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Yankee Air Club
Registration:
N3443G
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Turners Falls - Orange
MSN:
108-33806
YOM:
1944
Location:
Orange
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
957
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Turners Falls Airport on a training flight to Orange, Massachusetts. On final approach, with landing gears and flaps down, he decided to make a go around when the airplane banked left, got inverted and crashed. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot attempted operation beyond experience and ability level. He failed to obtain/maintain flying speed on approach. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Poorly planned approach,
- Failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Second go around with gear and flaps down,
- No time in type aircraft for about 11 years.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed EC-121 Super Constellation at Otis AFB

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-121 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
67-21476
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Otis - Otis
MSN:
4441
YOM:
1956
Location:
Otis AFB
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training mission at Otis AFB. After landing, the four engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Watertown: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 29, 1968 at 1308 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 411
Operator:
The First Electric
Registration:
N7341U
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
411-0041
YOM:
1964
Location:
Watertown
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
297
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
While flying in poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in an open field. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions and suffered a spatial disorientation while flying in foggy conditions and rain falls.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas VC-54G at Hanscom Field AFB

Date & Time: May 22, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
45-0585
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Andrews - Hanscom Field
MSN:
36038
YOM:
1945
Location:
Bedford-Laurence G. Hanscom Field
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Bedford-Hanscom Field AFB, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck trees, stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area located less than a mile from the runway threshold. All three crew members were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Crash of a Lockheed P-2H Neptune at Otis AFB

Date & Time: Dec 3, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
148350
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
726-7235
YOM:
1958
Location:
Otis AFB
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing at Otis AFB and came to rest in flames. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Lockheed 10E Electra off Humarock

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1967 at 1720 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 10 Electra
Operator:
Registration:
N233PB
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Provincetown - Marshfield
MSN:
1053
YOM:
1936
Location:
Humarock
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5408
Captain / Total hours on type:
1646.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Marshfield Airport from the northeast, the right engine failed. The pilot increased power on the left engine but as he was unable to maintain a safe altitude, he ditched the aircraft off Humarock. All 14 occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft later came to rest onto the beach and was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed C-121H Super Constellation off Nantucket: 15 killed

Date & Time: Apr 25, 1967 at 1905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-121 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
53-0549
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Otis - Otis
MSN:
4364
YOM:
1955
Location:
Nantucket
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane departed Otis AFB at 1858LT on a maritime patrol flight. Shortly after takeoff, the crew informed ground about the failure of the engine number three that caught fire and was cleared to divert to Nantucket for an emergency landing. While approaching Nantucket Island, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea. A passenger survived while all 15 other occupants were killed. The plane was piloted by Col James P. Lyle Jr., commander of the 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing based at Otis. The survivor was the navigator, Lt Joseph H. Guenet from Montreal, Quebec.
Probable cause:
Engine fire during initial climb.

Crash of a Grumman C-2A Greyhound off Cuttyhunk Island: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Grumman C-2A Greyhound
Operator:
Registration:
148147
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
01
Location:
Cuttyhunk Island
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local test flight when control was lost. The airplane crashed in the sea off Cuttyhunk Island, killing all four crew members. First C-2A Greyhound in service.

Crash of an Aero Commander 680 in Westfield: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1964 at 2200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N344S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Washington DC – Westfield
MSN:
680-448-119
YOM:
1956
Location:
Westfield-Barnes
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10759
Captain / Total hours on type:
731.00
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Washington DC, the pilot started the approach to Westfield-Barnes Airport in marginal weather with a visibility less than two miles due to fog. On final, while under control, the twin engine aircraft struck the ground about three miles short of runway, near Southampton. The pilot and a passenger were killed while three other occupants were injured.
Crew:
Edwin T. Zimny. †
Passengers:
Ted Kennedy, Senator,
Birch Bayh, Senator,
Mrs Bayh,
Edward Moss, personnel assistant to Mr. Kennedy. †
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operations on part of the pilot.
Final Report:
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