Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

An engine failed in flight. Due to the combination of an engine out and a high OAT, the crew was unable to maintain a safe altitude despite full power on the remaining engine. The airplane lost speed and height and eventually stalled before crashing on the slope of a mountain located near Kivu Lake. All three crew members and 36 passengers were killed while four passengers were injured.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar in Botricello

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1960 at 1830 LT

Type of aircraft:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Operator:

Registration:

53-8152

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Athènes-Naples

MSN:

255

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Athens to Naples, one of the engines suffered a runaway prop. 15 passengers and the radio operator bailed out over Botricello, intending to land at a nearby emergency field. They couldn't make the field and the pilots and the engineer put the plane down intact on the beach. The slanted beach caused them to veer into the surf and the aircraft ended up in about 10 feet of water. The crew was able to exit the astrodome hatch and swim to shore. Overnight the action of the tide destroyed the aircraft. The rumors that the aircraft was repaired, flown off the beach and put back in service are untrue.
Source: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1953.html

Crash of a Fairchild CC-119 Flying Boxcar near Minozzo

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1958 at 1700 LT

Type of aircraft:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Operator:

Registration:

22128

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Athens – Pisa

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was returning to Canada, carrying the remains of a RCAF DHC-3 Otter (c/n 185) that crashed in Gaza on 19SEP1958. While overflying the Apennins mountain range, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls and icing conditions. In such circumstances, the airplane lost altitude and eventually, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed in a rough terrain. All seven crew members were evacuated while both aircraft were destroyed.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119C-17-FA Flying Boxcar near Bridgeport: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1958 at 1615 LT

Type of aircraft:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Operator:

Registration:

49-0195

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Sheppard - Carswell

MSN:

10432

YOM:

1949

Location:

Bridgeport-Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial

Texas

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Sheppard AFB to Carswell AFB, while cruising at an altitude of 6,000 feet in poor weather conditions, the aircraft collided with a USAF Douglas C-124 Globemaster II. Registered 52-0981, the C-124 was en route from Kelly AFB to Tinker AFB with 15 people on board. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located near Bridgeport. All 18 occupants on both aircraft were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the collision was the result of an error on part of the C-119's crew who failed to respect the instructions transmitted by ATC, asking them to fly at an altitude of 7,000 feet. For undetermined reason, the crew continue his route at the insufficient altitude of 6,000 feet, crossing the track of the C-124 which was flying at the same level. Low visibility caused by poor weather conditions was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Fairchild R4Q-1 Flying Boxcar off Naha: 26 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1958 at 1945 LT

Type of aircraft:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Operator:

Registration:

128741

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Subic Bay – Naha

MSN:

10570

YOM:

1950

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew left Subic Bay (Cubi Point NAS) bound for Naha, in formation with a reconnaissance Douglas AD-6 Skyraider registered 135350 and carrying one pilot. While approaching Naha Airport, at an altitude of 1,500 feet, both aircraft collided and crashed into the sea about 6,5 km from the airfield. All 26 occupants were killed as well as the Skyraider's pilot.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the pilot of the Skyraider may have lost control of his aircraft following atmospheric turbulences in marginal weather conditions. Also, it is believed he failed to follow several procedures while flying in formation probably after suffering a spatial disorientation combined to an intense fatigue. Experts consider that the crew of the Flying Boxcar also have a certain part of responsibility because he failed to observe a sufficient safe distance between both aircraft and failed to prevent any possible collision. Following this accident, all crew must observe a minimum safe distance of 1,000 feet while flying in formation.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar near Ashiya AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1957 at 1500 LT

Type of aircraft:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to Ashiya AFB in poor weather conditions (rain and fog), the airplane hit the slope of Mt Hobashirayama located about 11 km short of runway 30. All four crew members were killed.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar near Newburg: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1956 at 1518 LT

Type of aircraft:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Operator:

Registration:

51-8026

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Sewart – Harrisburg

MSN:

10769

YOM:

1951

Location:

Newburg

Pennsylvania

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a flight from Sewart AFB (Smyrna, Tennessee) to Harrisburg-Intl Airport (Olmsted AFB). After passing over Newburg, the crew did not realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located 7 miles north of the city. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all four crew members have been killed.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar at Ashiya AFB

Date & Time: Mar 30, 1956 at 0724 LT

Type of aircraft:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Operator:

Registration:

53-3150

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Ashiya – Busan East

MSN:

11161

YOM:

1953

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2079

Captain / Total hours on type:

2058.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

2782

Copilot / Total hours on type:

891

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll on runway 30 at Ashiya Airbase, at a speed of 70 knots, the right engine lost power. The captain decided to abandon the departure and started an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance (runway 30 is 6,000 feet long), the airplane overran, lost its undercarriage and came to a halt in a grassy area. All seven crew members were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Loss of power on right engine for undetermined reason.

Crash of a Fairchild R4Q-2 Flying Boxcar off Miami: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 4, 1956

Type of aircraft:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Operator:

Registration:

131703

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Miami - Miami

MSN:

10888

YOM:

1952

Location:

Miami

Florida

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a local training sortie from Miami-Opa Locka Airport. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the aircraft suffered engine problems. The crew contacted ATC and elected to ditch the aircraft off Miami. Two crew members were rescued while others drowned.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.