Country
Crash of a Douglas B-18A Bolo in San Pedro de Jagua: 3 killed
Date & Time:
Jun 29, 1965
Operator:
Registration:
HK-537
Survivors:
No
MSN:
2534
YOM:
1937
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while completing a cargo flight, carrying a load of food. All three crew members were killed.
Crash of a Douglas B-18 Bolo in Tio Barbas: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Jan 26, 1965
Operator:
Registration:
HK-367
Survivors:
Yes
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into a dense jungle located in the region of Tio Barbas, Vaupés. It is believed that both pilots were killed while the third crew member and the passenger were injured and were able to walk away. Anaway, the wreckage was found on the 9 December 1967 and no trace of both survivors was found. The aircraft was involved in a cargo flight and was carrying a load of rubber.
Crash of a Douglas B-18 Bolo in Petalcingo: 5 killed
Date & Time:
Apr 13, 1957 at 1325 LT
Registration:
XA-KAP
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Yajalón – Tuxtla Gutierrez
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Five minutes after its takeoff from Yajalón, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain and crashed near Petalcingo, Chiapas. All five occupants were killed. The airplane was performing a cargo flight to Tuxtla Gutierrez, carrying a load of 50 sacks of coffee for a total weight of 2,5 tons. It is believed that an engine failed during initial climb, probably because the aircraft was overloaded.
Crew:
Enrique McCormick Curiel, pilot,
Adrian Castillo, copilot,
Margarito Valdez, mechanic.
Passengers:
Christobal Monzon,
Enrique McCormick Sanchez Jr.
Crew:
Enrique McCormick Curiel, pilot,
Adrian Castillo, copilot,
Margarito Valdez, mechanic.
Passengers:
Christobal Monzon,
Enrique McCormick Sanchez Jr.
Crash of a Douglas B-18 Bolo in Aragarças
Date & Time:
Jun 8, 1953
Operator:
Survivors:
Yes
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason and broke in two. There were no casualties.
Crash of a Douglas B-18A Bolo in Watkins: 9 killed
Date & Time:
Aug 22, 1944 at 2000 LT
Operator:
Registration:
39-22
Survivors:
No
MSN:
2670
YOM:
1939
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
En route from Lowry AFB, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity, hail and turbulences. The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in hilly terrain near Watkins, east of Denver. All nine occupants were killed.
Crash of a Douglas B-18A Bolo of Acklins Island
Date & Time:
Sep 4, 1942 at 1904 LT
Operator:
Registration:
37-539
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2539
YOM:
1937
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Mitchel AFB, Long Island, on a flight to the Caribbean. En route, one of the engine failed. Captain Ginter attempted to ditch the airplane off Acklins Island. All seven occupants found refuge in a dinghy and reached the shore. The aircraft sank and was lost.
Crew:
1st Lt Richard F. Ginther,
2nd Lt Arthur J. Hammer,
2nd Lt John W. Smith,
Cpl Charles V. Perkins,
Cpl George W. Oakes,
S/Sgt John F. Boener,
Pvt John S. Soar.
Crew:
1st Lt Richard F. Ginther,
2nd Lt Arthur J. Hammer,
2nd Lt John W. Smith,
Cpl Charles V. Perkins,
Cpl George W. Oakes,
S/Sgt John F. Boener,
Pvt John S. Soar.
Probable cause:
Power plant failure for undetermined reason.
Final Report:
Crash of a Douglas B-18A Bolo on Mt Sharatin: 7 killed
Date & Time:
Apr 29, 1942 at 0900 LT
Operator:
Registration:
37-522
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kodiak – Cold Bay – Umnak
MSN:
2522
YOM:
1939
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total hours on type:
491.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1833
Circumstances:
The crew departed Kodiak NAS around 0800LT on a photography mission to Umnak via Cold Bay. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot decided to return to base for not having the "proper clearance". On ground, he complained about the overload of gas and equipment, and took off again 30 minutes later. While climbing over the Anton Larsen Bay, the airplane was too low and impacted the slope of Mt Sharatin located about 12 km northwest of Kodiak Airport, about 150 feet below the summit. Seven occupants were killed while one was seriously injured.
Those killed were:
2nd Lt Russell Alonson Betts,
S/Sgt Glenn R. Harris,
2nd Lt Thomas A. McDermott,
T/Sgt Harold B. Steele,
Pvt Rodney Lee Tester,
1st Lt Edward James Tuma,
2nd Lt James F. Wilson.
Those killed were:
2nd Lt Russell Alonson Betts,
S/Sgt Glenn R. Harris,
2nd Lt Thomas A. McDermott,
T/Sgt Harold B. Steele,
Pvt Rodney Lee Tester,
1st Lt Edward James Tuma,
2nd Lt James F. Wilson.
Probable cause:
The pilot had made a previous takeoff and was forced to return due to the fact that he did not have a proper clearance. Before his next takeoff he had complained of how heavily loaded his ship was due to having an extra tank of gas, which he did not need, plus all the equipment aboard. The pilot showed an error in judgment in attempting to climb out the ridge without sufficient altitude for a safe clearance a very heavy ship and in very turbulent air, when it would have been to avoid the ridge by going around it. While passing over the ridge at about 150 feet the ship was caught in a severe down draft, and in spite of all that the pilot could do the ship struck the ridge at about 150 feet below the summit. There was no engine failure. With southwest winds, take-off(s) from Kodiak NAS are towards inshore hills. Two alternatives are open to pilots after take-off: either turn sharply over the lower hills nearest the airdrome and return over field to shore line, or continue climb turning northwest to go through the pass in that direction. Either alternative with a heavily loaded B-18 in gusty air is uncomfortable, and it is quite likely that the pilot was attempting to attain relatively smoother air west of the mountain and on course as soon as possible. Considering all factors, the undersigned concludes that a more correct analysis of causes would be as follows:
- Weather 50%;
- Airport or terrain 20%;
- Pilot error of judgment 30%.
- Weather 50%;
- Airport or terrain 20%;
- Pilot error of judgment 30%.
Crash of a Douglas B-18A Bolo off Saint Lucia: 4 killed
Date & Time:
Apr 23, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
38-602
Survivors:
No
MSN:
2652
YOM:
1938
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was lost without trace while on a maritime patrol flight off the island of Saint Lucia.
