Crash of a Lockheed 5A Vega in Seattle

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1930
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC396H
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
89
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot attempted to land with strong winds. Upon landing, the wing hit an obstacle and the airplane crashed. Both occupants were injured.

Crash of a Lockheed 5B Vega near Papantla : 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC46M
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Matamoros – Mexico City
MSN:
97
YOM:
1929
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
En route from Matamoros to Mexico City and while overflying north of the State of Veracruz, the single engine aircraft hit the Cerro de Carbón located south of Papantla. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and all four occupants were killed. The aircraft was supposed to be registered XA-BHH but this registration was not taken up at the time of the accident.

Crash of a Lockheed 5 Vega in Needles: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
NR859E
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Van Nuys – Cleveland
MSN:
67
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
En route from Van Nuys to Cleveland, the crew encountered stormy weather. In strong turbulences, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive. The mechanic was able to bail out before the aircraft crashed near Needles, east California. The wreckage was found three days later. The mechanic was found alive while the pilot was killed.
Crew:
John Wood, pilot,
Ward Miller, mechanic.

Crash of a Lockheed 5C Vega in Pittsburgh: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
NC513E
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
52
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Pittsburgh-Bettis Field, the pilot lost his orientation due to foggy conditions. He turned over the airport for almost 15 minutes when he lost control of the airplane that crashed on Pittsburgh-McKeesport Blvd located near the airfield. The pilot Harry Smith, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Lockheed 5 Vega in Clovis: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
NC870E
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
70
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Brand new, the aircraft was on its way to be delivered to its new owner, Middle States Airlines. On board were four employees of the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation: two pilots and two engineers. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a prairie. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane while searching for a cockpit vent cover blown from an airplane on takeoff.

Crash of a Lockheed 5 Vega in Randsburg: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC393H
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Los Angeles – Chicago
MSN:
85
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Los Angeles on a flight to Chicago, the aircraft having to be delivered to its new owner, the General Tire & Rubber Company. While cruising at an altitude of 4,000 feet, weather conditions deteriorated with thunderstorm activity. Due to severe turbulences, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and disintegrated. The pilot Virgil Cline was killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in stormy weather.

Crash of a Lockheed 5 Vega in Chicago

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
NC7441
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chicago - Chicago
MSN:
21
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local test flight at Chicago Airport. The accident occurred in unknown circumstances. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all three occupants were injured.

Crash of a Lockheed 5 Vega near Black Canyon City: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1928 at 1945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
NX4769
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Los Angeles – New York
MSN:
7
YOM:
1928
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
From the 24th to the 25th of last October, the aircraft's owner Harry J. Tucker and his pilot Charles B. D. Collyer completed a nonstop flight from New York to Los Angeles in 24 hours and 51 minutes, establishing a new record. In the afternoon of the 3rd of November, they decided to return to the Big Apple on a new nonstop flight. While overflying Arizona by night, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low visibility due to fog and rain. The aircraft named 'Yankee Doodle' hit a canyon wall located northwest of Black Canyon City and was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. Both occupants were killed.