Crash of a Ford 5 in Eugene: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1933
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC431H
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Portland – Eugene – Medford
MSN:
5-AT-098
YOM:
1931
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The three engine airplane was ready for a schedule service from Portland to Medford. As the weather was iffy, all passengers tickets were canceled but the crew has to deliver the mail. The airplane departed Portland-Swan Island Airport at 1015LT bound for Eugene. Approaching Eugene, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with low clouds but was able to land without further problems. After the mail was deplaned, the crew was cleared for takeoff. Following a normal takeoff run, the pilot-in-command initiated the rotation when the right engine failed. The airplane stalled, collided with a runway light and eventually crashed onto a vacant house. All three crew members were injured, both pilots seriously. The following day, they both died from their injuries. The aircraft named 'Dawson' was destroyed.
Crew:
Harold Adams, pilot, †
Kenneth Householder, copilot, †
Cornelia Pederman, stewardess.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine at takeoff.

Crash of a Ford 5 in Amarillo: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 14, 1932
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC9650
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
5-AT-037
YOM:
1929
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing the approach to Amarillo-English Field Airport in a reduced visibility due to heavy snow falls. Upon landing, the aircraft went out of control and crashed, coming to rest upside down in a snow covered field. Both crew members were killed.

Crash of a Ford 5 in Villamontes: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1932
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
Cruz del Sur
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
5-AT-113
YOM:
1932
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight, carrying two crew members and a load of various equipment for the Army. The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances, killing both occupants.

Crash of a Ford 5 in El Aceituno

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1932
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC9664
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
5-AT-023
YOM:
1929
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on an international scheduled flight, the aircraft crashed in bad weather conditions near El Aceituno, Honduras. The airplane was destroyed and there were no casualties.

Crash of a Ford 5 in El Plomo: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1932 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC403H
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Santiago – Mendoza – Buenos Aires
MSN:
5-AT-063
YOM:
1929
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
While cruising in bad weather conditions east of Santiago de Chile over the Andes Mountains, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low visibility due to heavy snow falls. The aircraft impacted a mountain slope and crashed near El Plomo. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended as no trace of the aircraft nor the 9 occupants was found. Twenty months later, in March 1934, ramblers discovered the wreckage in an uninhabited area. The aircraft was named 'San José'.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Ford XB-906 in Dearborn: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1931 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NX9652
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dearborn - Dearborn
MSN:
XB-906-1
YOM:
1931
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local test flight on this first XB-906 prototype based on the Ford 5 and destined for the US Army. While flying in the vicinity of the airport, after completing a steep turn at high speed, the aircraft lost its both wings that were torn off. It entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed near the runway, bursting into flames. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sherman Leroy Manning, pilot,
L. H. Garriott, mechanic.
Probable cause:
Both wings detached in flight, probably after being overloaded due to excessive aerodynamic forces.

Crash of a Ford 5 in Pittsburgh

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1931
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC9665
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
5-AT-024
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Pittsburgh Airport, the crew encountered bad weather with thunderstorm activity and turbulences. On final, the airplane went out of control and crashed short of runway. It was damaged beyond repair and all eight occupants were uninjured.

Crash of a Ford 5 in Cincinnati: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1931 at 0840 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC9662
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cleveland – Cincinnati – Atlanta
MSN:
5-AT-029
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
One minute after takeoff from Cincinnati-Lunken Field Airport, while in initial climb, the right engine failed. The pilot attempted to return to the airport when the aircraft stalled and crashed. All six occupants were killed.
Crew:
M. T. Odell, pilot,
William J. Dewald, copilot.
Passengers:
William E. Keith,
W. P. Brimberry,
V. G. Baum,
Wrenna D. Hughes.
Probable cause:
It was determined that prior to the crash, the aircraft’s starboard power plant had torn loose in the air, apparently after the corresponding propeller broke.

Crash of a Ford 5 near Elyria

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1931
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC421H
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chicago – Cleveland
MSN:
5-AT-081
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on approach to Cleveland Airport when it suffered an engine failure. The crew attempted an emergency landing in an open field located five miles north of Elyria when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. Five passengers were unhurt while five others occupants were injured, both crew seriously.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on approach.