Crash of a Douglas R5D-1 in Manila

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
39147
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
3104
YOM:
1943
Location:
Manila
Metro Manila
Country:
Philippines
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Manila Airport, the four engine aircraft was too low and hit a hill. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas C-54G-5-DO Skymaster in Chhukha: 44 killed

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1945 at 0200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
45-0528
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Karachi – Dibrugarh
MSN:
35981
YOM:
1945
Flight number:
USAF28A
Location:
Chhukha
Chhukha
Country:
Bhutan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
40
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
44
Circumstances:
While cruising by night at an altitude of 8,000 feet, the aircraft hit with its right wing some trees and crashed in a dense wooded area. The wreckage was found a month later and all 44 occupants have been killed.
Crew:
Cpl James R. Bell,
Sgt Harold F. Benjamin,
S/Sgt Herman E. Beyer,
Sgt Charles H. Burkhardt,
Sgt Adrien D. Cambron,
Sgt Adam T. Diamont,
Pfc Samuel H. Doolan Jr.,
Cpl William J. Fisher,
F/O Francis P. Fisk,
Sgt Richard K. France,
Sgt Warren L. Frank,
F/O Charles M. Fulton,
F/O Philo A. Goodrich,
F/O Frederick C. Grainger,
S/Sgt Spencer R. Gunn,
S/Sgt Robert G. Harrigan,
Pfc George L. Hassell,
Sgt Hillery E. Howell,
Sgt James F. Huff,
F/O Howard F. Hulslander Jr.,
Sgt Joseph A. Jenkins Jr.,
F/O Harry E. Jones,
Cpl Nathan Kramer,
Pfc Kee Kui,
Cpl Iradell Lee,
T/Sgt Ralph J. Luca,
Sgt Roger C. Mallard,
2nd Lt Theodore A. Marshall,
S/Sgt James E . McGee,
Pfc Beverly A. McHenry.,
Sgt William F. Miller,
Sgt Frank L. Moser,
S/Sgt Daniel F. O'Callaghan,
Sgt William T. O'Hara Jr.,
Sgt William Occhialini,
Pfc Robert E. Osborne,
F/O John S. Owens Jr.,
Pvt Joseph N. Peloquin,
F/O Euei Ratliff,
Cpl Chester E. Ross,
Cpt Warren A . Roth,
S/Sgt Paul D. Selanders,
Sgt Thomas C. Setzer,
Sgt Robert L. Smith.
Probable cause:
It appears that the pilot did not follow the assigned airway and flew a direct route from Karachi to Dibrugarh. Due to low visibility caused by night, he was unable to distinguish the mountains and natural obstacles. The accident was caused by a controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Douglas C-54B-1-DC Skymaster near Elmendorf AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 29, 1945 at 0230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
42-72421
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Edmonton - Elmendorf
MSN:
10526
YOM:
1945
Location:
Elmendorf-Richardson AFB (JBER)
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The descent to Elmendorf AFB was started by night and low visibility. As the aircraft was too low, it hit the slope of Mt Chugach located 8 miles southeast of its intended destination. The passenger and a crewman were rescued while five others were killed.

Crash of a Douglas R5D-1 near Agana: 7 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
39180
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
7477
YOM:
1944
Location:
Agana
All Guam Island
Country:
Guam Island
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While on approach to Agana Airport, the four engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt Tengo located about 8 miles southwest of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all seven crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-54E-1-DO Skymaster in Wilmington: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1945 at 0720 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
44-9026
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Wilmington - Wilmington
MSN:
27252
YOM:
1945
Location:
Wilmington-New Castle County
Delaware
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 departed Wilmington-New Castle Airfield at 0322LT for a local training and transition flight. After several approaches and maneuvers in the region, the crew was completing a new approach when the aircraft flew over the runway and crashed in flames. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
T/Sgt Howard J. Driver,
Cpt Edgar L. Kinsey,
Cpt Daniel E. McCafferty,
Cpt Thomas R. Monroe.
Probable cause:
Investigations were unable to determine the cause of the accident.

Crash of a Douglas C-54B-1-DC Skymaster near Kunming: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 4, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
42-72370
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
10475
YOM:
1944
Location:
Kunming
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in the region of Kunming, killing all five crew members.
Crew:
Cpt Edwin N. Brissey,
F/O Hugh C. Ferris,
Cpt Lewis H. Magin Jr.,
S/Sgt Elmer Sharpe,
S/Sgt James W. Stooksbury .

Crash of a Douglas C-54D-10-DC Skymaster in Vila do Porto: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
42-72680
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
10785
YOM:
1945
Location:
Vila do Porto (Santa Maria Island)
Azores Islands
Country:
Portugal
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Hit a mountain slope and crash 6,5 km from the airfield while on approach to Vila do Porto Airport, Santa Maria Island. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cpt David L. Satz 3.

Crash of a Douglas C-54B-1-DC near Biskra: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 18, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
42-72372
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
MSN:
10477
YOM:
1944
Location:
Biskra
Biskra
Country:
Algeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in a desert area located some 96 km southeast of Biskra, killing all four crew members.
Crew:
Cpt Lawrence G. Boyts,
F/O Arthur M. Cranmer,
T/Sgt Rowland R. Moss,
Cpl Edward J. Ryan.

Crash of a Douglas C-54E-1-DO Skymaster in Lorangau: 21 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 1945 at 2226 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
44-9043
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lorengau – Biak
MSN:
27269
YOM:
1944
Location:
Lorengau
Manus
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
21
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Lorengau Airport by night bound for Biak-Sorido. During the initial climb, the four engine aircraft crashed on a wooded hill located near the airfield and was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All 21 occupants were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt Rex S. Brown,
Cwo Russell T. Crawford,
Cpt William V. Mudra,
2nd Lt Paul L. Reinhold,
Cpt Frank E. Stewart,
1st Lt Delmar E. Wortman.
Probable cause:
According to the US Command, the accident was caused by a succession of omissions on part of the crew. After lift off, the captain made a premature turn to the right while climbing to a height of 500 feet. According to airport procedures, a turn to the right after rotation could be made only if the aircraft reached the minimum safe altitude of 1,000 feet and minimum 45 seconds after lift off, which was not the case presently. For reasons which could not be accurately determined, flaps were retracted prematurely, preventing the aircraft to gain height. The absence of sufficient visibility caused by night was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Douglas R5D-3 in Agana

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
56491
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
10598
YOM:
1945
Location:
Agana-Harmon Field AFB
All Guam Island
Country:
Guam Island
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Undercarriage collapsed on landing. There were no casualties.
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