Crash of a Grumman HU-16E in Floyd Bennett Field: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1957
Type of aircraft:
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
Operator:
Registration:
1259
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Floyd Bennett Field - Floyd Bennett Field
MSN:
G-106
YOM:
1952
Location:
Floyd Bennett Field
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a test flight after the aircraft had undergone an intermediate inspection in which the control columns were removed and inspected for fatigue cracks in the bottom casting. The plane was cleared for take-off and instructed to turn right immediately after take-off to avoid other traffic. Take-off was normal but immediately after leaving the runway the plane banked slightly to the left, hesitated, and then banked and then banked very rapidly to the left until it was in a 90° bank. The left wing tip struck the ground and the plane broke in two and crashed. Four crew members were killed while two others were injured.
Those killed were:
Lcdr Claude S. Labaw,
Lt Rolland A. Faucher,
AD3 Matthew R. Ross,
AT3 Gerald R. Fox.
Probable cause:
The Accident Board was not able to determine the cause of this accident but certain items all pointed strongly toward reversed aileron control cable rigging as the most probably cause.

Crash of a Grumman UF-1G Albatross off Salem: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 18, 1957
Type of aircraft:
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
Operator:
Registration:
1278
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Demonstration
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
G-287
YOM:
1953
Location:
Salem
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed into the Salem Harbor while performing a JATO system demo flight. Two crew members were killed while four others were rescued. The aircraft was destroyed.
Those killed were:
LCDR Albert P. Hartt Jr.,
AO2 William J. Tarker Jr.

Crash of a Grumman SA-16A Albatross at Wheelus AFB

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1956
Type of aircraft:
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
Operator:
Registration:
51-039
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
G-114
YOM:
1952
Location:
Wheelus AFB (Mitiga)
Tripoli (طرابلس)
Country:
Libya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, stalled and crashed 400 meters from the airfield. Crew fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Grumman SA-16A Albatross off Argentia NAS: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1956
Type of aircraft:
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
Operator:
Registration:
49-069
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
G-27
YOM:
1950
Location:
Argentia NAS
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew was en route to Spain to deliver the aircraft to the Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire). Shortly after takeoff from Argentia NAS, while climbing, the seaplane went out of control and crashed into the Placentia Bay, about 1,5 km off shore. All six crew members were killed.

Crash of a Grumman SA-16 Albatross in Lajes: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1955 at 2030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Argentia – Lajes
Location:
Lajes
Azores Islands
Country:
Portugal
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
After an uneventful flight from Argentia NAS, Newfoundland, the crew started the descent to Lajes Airbase. On final, the seaplane hit the slope of the Negrão Peak located about 7 km from the airfield. All five crew members were killed.

Crash of a Grumman SA-16A Albatross in Jardín: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
Operator:
Registration:
51-7197
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Albrook - Albrook
MSN:
G-262
YOM:
1953
Location:
Jardín
Antioquia
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a SAR mission following the disappearance of a Beechcraft Bonanza and was based at Albrook AFB, Panama. In unknown circumstances, the seaplane crashed in Jardín, Antioquia. Three crew members were killed while three others were injured.

Crash of a Grumman UF-1G Albatross off Haines: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
Operator:
Registration:
2121
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ambulance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Haines – Juneau
MSN:
G-348
YOM:
1953
Location:
Haines
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in an ambulance flight, carrying a patient from Haines to Juneau. Upon departure, the airplane crashed into the harbor in unclear circumstances, killing the patient and all three crew members. Three other passengers were injured.
Crew:
Al1 Clifford E. Habecker, pilot, †
Ad1 Andrew P. Tournier, copilot, †
Al3 Doyle E. Jahn, flight engineer. †
Passenger:
Fred Harrington (patient). †

Crash of a Grumman G-64A Albatross into the Atlantic Ocean: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
Operator:
Registration:
51-036
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
G-111
YOM:
1952
Location:
Atlantic Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the North Atlantic while performing a flight between Iceland and Greenland. No trace of the aircraft nor the five crew members was ever found.

Crash of a Grumman SA-16B Albatross in the Kings Canyon National Park

Date & Time: May 25, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
Operator:
Registration:
51-7173
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
G-223
Location:
Kings Canyon National Park
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to SAR operations for a missing Beechcraft Bonanza registered N8449A. En route, an engine failed. All five crew members decided to bail out and abandoned the aircraft that crashed in the Kings Park National Park. All five occupants were recovered uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Grumman SA-16A Albatross in Moji: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
Operator:
Registration:
51-062
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Beppu – Ashiya
MSN:
G-141
YOM:
1952
Location:
Moji
Kyūshū
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
En route from Beppu to Ashiya AFB, the seaplane hit the slope of a mountain located three km southwest of Moji, killing all eight occupants. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited due to marginal weather conditions.
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