Crash of a Douglas C-54-DO Skymaster near Stephenville

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-37278
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Site:
MSN:
3068
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in the Anguille Mountains, south of Stephenville. Crew fate unknown.

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-DO Skymaster in Accra: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-37292
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
3083
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason and came to rest in flames. At least one crew member was killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-54 Skymaster in Wright-Patterson AFB: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1943 at 1327 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-37271
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wright Patterson - Wright Patterson
MSN:
3057
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The C-54 was flying in formation with a Lockheed C-40A Electra Junior registered 38-546, so his crew could photograph the dropping of a dummy combat tank from the C-54. After the tank was released, the pilot of the C-40A made a quick turn to the left, striking the C-54 right wingtip. The C-40A entered a spin and crashed near the runway, killing all five crew members. The C-54 continued on for 700 feet, allowing two passengers to bail out. The plane then crashed in a vertical dive, killing three other crewmen.
Source: http://www.joebaugher.com/
Probable cause:
Wrong judgement on part of the C-40 crew.

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-DO Skymaster near Paramaribo: 35 killed

Date & Time: Jan 15, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-32939
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
3114
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
35
Circumstances:
The four-engine aircraft was performing a flight from the US to Casablanca via South America (probably Natal), on behalf of the Air Transport Command. The on board delegation was flying to Morocco to take part to a conference. Rumors of a bomb on board caused the crew to divert to Port of Spain. A screwdriver was found in the hatch containing the IFF device but no trace of a bomb. While flying over Suriname, the aircraft exploded in mid-air, disintegrated and crashed in an isolated area located 30 miles northeast of Paramaribo. All 35 occupants were killed, among them Eric Mowbray Night, author and creator of the fictional collie 'Lassie'. He was Major by the US Army Special Services as well. Two identical C-54 planes traveling just 1/2 hour before and after this plane noticed anti-aircraft fire coming from what appeared to be an enemy submarine.
Crew (TWA):
Benjamin Hart Dally Jr., pilot,
Theodore M. Wagner, copilot,
Samuel S. Dorrance, flight surgeon,
Everett Lee Bacon, copilot,
Jason E. Voss, navigator,
James M. Kane, navigator,
Clyde E. Quisenberry, flight engineer,
Leonard La Frank, radio operator,
Leo J. Moriarty, radio operator,
Eugene A. Dempf, flight purser.
Passengers:
Maj Eric Mowbray Knight,
Cpt Albert L. Seeman,
Cpt Basil D. Gallagher,
1st Lt Charles W. Campbell,
1st Lt Peter D. Barnhart,
1st Lt Donald C. Martin,
2nd Lt Carl A. Matteo,
2nd Lt Robert B. Walker,
2nd Lt John T. Girling,
2nd Lt Thomas L. Gallagher,
2nd Lt Max Solomon,
F/O Charles S. Shively,
S/Sgt Russell A. Baughman,
S/Sgt Ellis H. Roberts Jr.,
S/Sgt Heyward O. Wylie,
S/Sgt Roger M. Stoflet,
Sgt Oscar Spahr Jr.,
Sgt Charles S. Roberts Jr.,
Percy E. Foxworth,
Harold D. Haberfeld,
William Hodson,
James W. Seeger,
Charles Howell Brown,
Osmon E. Henryson,
Morris Lewis.
Source: http://www.lassiecomehome.info/id8.html
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the disintegration could not be determined.