Zone
California

Crash of a Fairchild C-82A Packet near Collinsville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 3, 1949 at 2240 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-82 Packet
Operator:
Registration:
45-57823
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Lowry - Alameda
MSN:
10193
YOM:
1945
Location:
Collinsville
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route from Lowry AFB (Denver) to Alameda NAS (Oakland), the airplane suffered a loss of power on both engines and the crew instructed all six passengers to bail out. After they abandoned the airplane, the crew lost control of the aircraft which dove into the ground and crashed in a marshy field located about 2 miles north of Collinsville. Both pilots were killed while all six passengers were uninjured.
Probable cause:
Loss of power on both engines.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Alameda

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
NC17713
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Oakland - Oakland
MSN:
4582
YOM:
1942
Location:
Alameda NAS (Oakland)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training sortie in Oakland Airport. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the right engine suffered a loss of power. The captain informed ATC and elected to return for an emergency landing but the aircraft stalled, hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located in Alameda, north of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were injured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the right engine suffered a loss of power during initial climb for unknown reason. Apparently following a misunderstanding and a wrong judgement of the situation, the crew feathered the propeller and shot down the left engine that was running correctly. With the left engine shut down and the right engine misfiring, the crew was unable to climb safely.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-5 in San Carlos: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1945 at 2040 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
17228
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
San Pedro - Alameda
MSN:
13379
YOM:
1944
Location:
San Carlos
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The airplane departed San Pedro-Catalina NAS (Long Beach) on a flight to Alameda NAS in Oakland, carrying 20 passengers and a crew of three. The descent was initiated at night when the crew encountered limited visibility due to poor weather conditions. Following an unsuccessful landing, the crew followed a missed approach procedure when he got apparently lost. The airplane impacted the slope of a hill and crashed at an altitude of 630 feet about two miles west of San Carlos. All three crew members were killed as well as four passengers. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with heavy rain falls, clouds down to 500 feet and visibility less than three miles.
Crew:
Lt William Karlick, pilot,
Ens Clois Holmes Jr., copilot,
Robert A. Trout, flight engineer.
Passengers:
LCdr Robert H. Allen,
LCdr John Brahtz,
S1C Richard Johnston,
Victor Salazar Jr.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner on Mt Tamalpais: 8 killed

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1944 at 2325 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
45415
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Alameda - Honolulu
MSN:
45415
Location:
San Rafael
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
1500
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Alameda NAS, while approaching the Golden Gate at an altitude of 2,000 feet, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility. The captain decided to return to his departure point and started a turn to the right while penetrating a cloudy area. By night, the seaplane hit the slope of Mt Tamalpais located some 5 miles southwest of San Rafael. The wreckage was spotted a day later and all eight occupants were killed.
Crew:
Lt Joseph L. Resley,
Lt Thomas W. Oliver,
Ens Chapin B. Miller,
ACMM Harry L. Holland,
AMM2 Rodney Jeffers,
ARM2 Thomas J. Joyce,
ARM3 John R. Kelly,
AOM2 Wayne D. Paxson.
Photos: http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/pbm5bu.htm
Probable cause:
According to investigations, the sky was broken at the time of the accident, with scattered showers. Due to an insufficient visibility, it was concluded that weather conditions were unsuitable for such transpacific flight. The crew was unable to detect the mountain because it was shrouded by clouds and the visibility was low due to night.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Alameda NAS: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
45422
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Alameda NAS - Alameda NAS
MSN:
45422
Location:
Alameda NAS (Oakland)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While approaching Alameda NAS following a training mission, the seaplane caught fire and crashed in the San Francisco Bay. Three crew members were killed while all five other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3R Mariner Flying Boat off Alameda NAS: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
6497
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Alameda NAS - Alameda NAS
MSN:
6497
Location:
Alameda NAS (Oakland)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Shortly after its take off from Alameda NAS, while climbing, the seaplane exploded in mid air and crashed into the San Francisco Bay. All nine crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Alameda NAS: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
08162
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Alameda - Alameda
Location:
Alameda NAS (Oakland)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing night landing practice in the San Francisco Bay, off Alameda NAS. It is believed the crew lost control of the aircraft while avoiding collision with an aircraft carrier and crashed. Four crew members were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Makapuu Point: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
04445
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kaneohe Bay – Alameda
Location:
Makapu'u Point (Oahu)
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Few minutes after its departure from Kaneohe Bay NAS, the seaplane crashed into the sea off Makapuu Point, Oahu. Seven crew members were injured while the captain was killed.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina near Livermore: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
7266
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Alameda - Norfolk
Location:
Livermore
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The seaplane left Alameda NAS on a cross country flight to Norfolk-Chambers NAS, Virginia. Few minutes after take off, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain near Livermore. Six crew members were killed while the seventh was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina near Livermore: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
7269
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Alameda - Norfolk
Location:
Livermore
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The seaplane left Alameda NAS on a cross country flight to Norfolk-Chambers NAS, Virginia. Few minutes after take off, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located 11 km east of Livermore. All eight crew members were killed and the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire.
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