Crash of a Waco CUC-1 in Rotterdam: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 3, 1936 at 1635 LT
Type of aircraft:
Waco CUC
Operator:
M. A. G. van der Leeuw
Registration:
PH-VDL
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4304
YOM:
1935
Location:
Rotterdam
South Holland
Country:
Netherlands
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was flying from England to Ypenburg, near The Hague. While approaching The Netherlands, he was informed about the poor weather conditions at destination so he decided to divert to Rotterdam-Waalhaven Airport. On approach, weather was poor so he decided to make a go around. On the second attempt, he decided to abandon again the descent and started a second go around. While climbing, the single engine aircraft adopted a high angle of attack then rolled to the left, stalled and crashed in an open field located near the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft was completely destroyed in the accident, which severely hampered investigations. However, investigators were able to establish that the accident was caused by a pilot error.

Crash of a Waco CUC-1 in Dallas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1936 at 1635 LT
Type of aircraft:
Waco CUC
Operator:
Culver Oil Company
Registration:
NC14685
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dallas – Tyler
MSN:
4285
YOM:
1935
Location:
Dallas-Love Field
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Dallas-Love Field Airport, while climbing, the pilot encountered controllability problems following technical issues with the right aileron. The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed, among them George L. Culver, President of the Culver Oil Company.
Probable cause:
An examination of the right aileron showed it to be broken at the center hinge point where the aileron control tube attaches. The rivets holding the fittings to which this tube attaches were wrenched out and one fitting was broken. The other end of the control tube, which attaches to the aileron bell crank through a ball bearing, was detached. The inner race of the ball bearing was still attached to the bolt in the bell crank but the outer race was missing. Apparently this outer race or the method of holding it in place had failed, allowing the tube to drop down and thus disconnect the right aileron control system. Failure an flight of the system controlling either the right or the left aileron would allow that aileron to flutter and thus set up a force sufficient to destroy the wing. It is the opinion of the Bureau of Air Commerce that the probable cause of the accident was a failure of the right aileron control system which resulted in a major failure of the right wing.
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