Crash of a Douglas C-118A Liftmaster in San Salvador: 37 killed

Date & Time: May 1, 1986 at 0632 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-118 Liftmaster
Operator:
Registration:
FAS302
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Salvador - Panama
MSN:
44654
YOM:
1955
Location:
San Salvador-Ilopango
San Salvador
Country:
Salvador
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
33
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
37
Circumstances:
After takeoff from San Salvador-Ilopango Airport, while in initial climb, one of the four engine failed and caught fire. The airplane was unable to gain sufficient height and struck the slope of a mountain located about 3 km from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 37 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure and fire during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-118A in Egegik

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1985 at 0115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-118 Liftmaster
Operator:
Northern Pacific Transport
Registration:
N2878F
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Egelik - Kodiak
MSN:
44660
YOM:
1955
Location:
Egegik
Alaska
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
18640
Captain / Total hours on type:
468.00
Aircraft flight hours:
22655
Circumstances:
Airplane accelerated to V1 and struck through on sandy beach. The nose pitched up and the pilot lost directional control. The airplane struck adjacent bank caught fire. It was totally destroyed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - on ground/water
Phase of operation: takeoff - roll/run
Findings
1. Airport facilities, runway/landing area condition - inadequate
2. Airport facilities, runway/landing area condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
3. Airport facilities, runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven
4. (c) directional control - not maintained - pilot in command
5. (c) ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: takeoff - roll/run
Findings
6. (c) unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - not identified - pilot in command
7. (c) preflight planning/preparation - disregarded - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-118A Liftmaster in San Manuel

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1984 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-118 Liftmaster
Operator:
Intercontinental Air Lease - IAL
Registration:
N92860
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Saint Petersburg – Chandler
MSN:
44619/549
YOM:
1955
Location:
San Manuel
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6983
Captain / Total hours on type:
3200.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft skidded off the departure end of the runway collapsing the landing gear in a ditch as it caught on fire. This aircraft was on a ferry flight and had several mechanical problems. Among these was the prop reversers which failed on landing. The anti-ice/de-ice systems failed to work properly which contributed to the need to land short of destination. The copilot reported that she did not check the anti-icing equipment on pre-flight. She was also not qualified to be a copilot on this flight. The airspeed indicators were malfunctioning during landing. The crew members all said that they knew the airspeed was much too high. The copilot said she could not understand how the pilot thought he could land at such a high speed. She also said he called for reverse and applied brakes too late in the rollout.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: overrun
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - tailwind
2. (c) wrong runway - selected - pilot in command
3. (f) pressure induced by others - pilot in command
4. (f) propeller system/accessories,reversing system - failure,partial
5. (c) airspeed - excessive - pilot in command
6. (f) anti-ice/deice system,windshield - inoperative
7. (c) proper touchdown point - not attained - pilot in command
8. (c) operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed - pilot in command
9. (f) precautionary landing - premature - pilot in command
10. (c) judgment - poor - pilot in command
11. (f) procedures/directives - not followed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: main gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
12. (f) landing gear, main gear - overload
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-118A Liftmaster in Beni: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 23, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-118 Liftmaster
Operator:
Transportes Aéreos Bolivar - TAB
Registration:
CP-1338
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
43566/244
YOM:
1952
Location:
Beni
Beni
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the crew encountered an unexpected situation. The captain decided to abort the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames. Three crew members were killed and two others were seriously injured.

Crash of a Douglas DC-118A Liftmaster in Bogotá: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1978 at 1603 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-118 Liftmaster
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1705
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bogotá - Barranquilla
MSN:
43565
YOM:
1952
Location:
Bogotá-El Dorado
Bogotá Capital District
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Bogotá-El Dorado runway 30, the four engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It struck an eucalyptus then stalled and crashed in a pasture located about one km from the airfield. Four occupants were injured while eight others were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that one of the four engine exploded during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-118B at Ponta Pelada AFB: 16 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-118 Liftmaster
Operator:
Registration:
2414
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Manaus - Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
43746
YOM:
1952
Location:
Ponta Pelada AFB, Manaus
Amazonas
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
78
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Ponta Pelada AFB in Manaus for Rio de Janeiro, carrying Brazilian soldiers and their family members. About 20 minutes into the flight, the crew encountered technical problems with one of the right engine and decided to return to Manaus for a safe landing. After touchdown, one of the right engine caught fire and exploded. The pilot-in-command stopped the airplane that was on fire. 36 occupants evacuated safely and were unhurt while 33 others were wounded. 16 occupants were killed and the aircraft was totally destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-118A Liftmaster in Trabzon

Date & Time: Aug 29, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-118 Liftmaster
Operator:
Registration:
53-3243
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
44614/537
YOM:
1955
Location:
Trabzon
Black Sea Region (Karadeniz Bölgesi)
Country:
Turkey
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Suffered an accident at Trabzon Airport. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-118A Liftmaster into the Trinity Bay: 23 killed

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1961 at 0330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-118 Liftmaster
Operator:
Registration:
51-17626
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kenitra – Lajes – Argentia – Norfolk
MSN:
43670
YOM:
1952
Location:
Trinity Bay
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
While approaching Argentia-Bristol Field by night, the four engine aircraft crashed into the Trinity Bay about 50 km northeast of Argentia. In the early morning, few debris were found floating on water and all 23 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed the aircraft disintegrated in the air, maybe following a major technical issue. Nevertheless, due to the lack of evidence, it was not possible to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Crash of a Douglas C-118A Liftmaster at Elmendorf AFB

Date & Time: Feb 22, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-118 Liftmaster
Operator:
Registration:
N11817
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Anchorage - Elmendorf
MSN:
44653
YOM:
1955
Location:
Elmendorf-Richardson AFB (JBER)
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a positioning flight from Anchorage International Airport to Elmendorf AFB. The approach was completed in marginal weather conditions with a limited visibility due to fog. On final, the four engine aircraft was too low and struck the ground 1,200 feet short of runway threshold. All four crew members were rescued while the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the captain had used an rpm setting of 2200 instead of 2400 during the approach, power setting of 20" manifold pressure instead of 25" and a 40° flap setting instead of 30°. The first officer and the flight engineer were aware of this but failed to report it to the captain. Furthermore, the GCA controller advised the flight that it was below the limits of the glide path.
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