Crash of a Douglas DC-6A in San Antonio: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1967 at 0320 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N640NA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
45475
YOM:
1958
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
16179
Captain / Total hours on type:
348.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight to Kelly AFB, San Antonio, Texas, on a subcontract for the US Air Force. While descending to Kelly AFB, the crew decided to divert to San Antonio-Intl Airport for unknown reason. While on a night approach, the pilot-in-command failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck trees, stalled and crashed in a cleef. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed. At the time of the accident, the airplane was 1,100 feet below the glide.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident was not determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Stinson

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1967 at 1408 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N2648B
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
560-330
YOM:
1956
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
826
Captain / Total hours on type:
257.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Stinson Municipal Airport, south of San Antonio, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Following a wrong approach configuration, he landed too far down the runway. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and came to a halt. The airplane was destroyed and both occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after takeoff due the the failure of the cylinder #5. Improper emergency procedures and poorly planned approach. The pilot landed long and used improper procedures for emergency steering and brakes.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed C-130E Hercules near Aspermont: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
63-7886
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dyess - Dyess
MSN:
3957
YOM:
1964
Location:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a night training flight out from Dyess AFB, Abilene. In flight, control was lost and the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in an uninhabited area located in the region of Aspermont. A crew member was rescued while five others were killed.

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker in Amarillo: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1966 at 2145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
57-1424
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Amarillo - Amarillo
MSN:
17495
YOM:
1958
Location:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
3482
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to Amarillo Airport following a four-hour refueling mission. On final approach, the aircraft was unstable and banked left and right when it stalled and crashed in flames few dozen yards short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Oscillating and unstable approach for undetermined reason.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Houston: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 1966 at 1155 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N189L
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
A-180
YOM:
1946
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
9500
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, after a course of 1,058 feet, the undercarriage were retracted. The aircraft sank on runway and both engines struck the ground. Out of control, the aircraft crashed in flames, killing all five occupants.
Probable cause:
Premature gear retraction on part of the crew who failed to abort takeoff. The aircraft needed more than 1,525 feet ground roll for takeoff and the props hit the runway surface 1,058 feet from start of roll.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 23 in Clarendon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1966 at 1238 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N235R
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Amarillo - Dallas
MSN:
23-032
YOM:
1965
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2554
Captain / Total hours on type:
380.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training flight from Amarillo to Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. While climbing to an altitude of 41,000 feet, the crew lost control of the aircraft that entered an uncontrolled descent, dove into the ground and eventually crashed in a field located about a mile southwest of Clarendon, Texas. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and both occupants were killed. Turbulences were reported in the flight area at the time of the accident.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, it is believed that the loss of control was caused by the failure of both gyro horizons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Abernathy

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1965 at 1510 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N33L
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
520-52
YOM:
1953
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1110
Captain / Total hours on type:
110.00
Circumstances:
While cruising in marginal weather conditions, one of the engine failed. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the pilot elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in an open field located in Abernathy. All four occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed. Weather conditions were marginal at the time of the accident with icing.
Probable cause:
Engine failure or malfunction in flight after a magneto failed due to icing conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Stinson V-77 Reliant in Lake Dallas

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1965 at 0925 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N69565
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
77-11
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff, during initial climb, the single engine struck trees and crashed. All four occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to use or incorrectly used anti-icing/deicing equipment.
Final Report:

Crash of a Travel Air 4000 in Alamo: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1965 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N8140
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Alamo - Alamo
MSN:
914
YOM:
1929
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was engaged in a crop spraying mission on cotton fields. While flying at low height in marginal weather conditions, the single engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control caused by local whirlwind.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S in Houston

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1965 at 0845 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N445N
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
7858
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4500
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a field and came to rest in flames. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the airplane owned by George J. Darneille was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for undetermined reason.
Final Report: