Crash of a Lockheed P-3A-40-LO Orion off Argentia: 10 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1964 at 1855 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-3 Orion
Operator:
Registration:
151362
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Argentia - Argentia
MSN:
5075
YOM:
1964
Location:
Argentia NAS
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The crew departed Argentia NAS for a training mission over the Atlantic Ocean. While in cruising altitude, a generator failed. Few minutes later, a second generator failed as well and the crew decided to return to Argentia NAS for a safe landing. On final approach in marginal weather conditions, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the Bay of Placentia, about 6,5 km off shore. The aircraft was destroyed and all 10 crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It was reported that a third generator failed during the final approach, causing the aircraft to be uncontrollable. The exact cause of the failure of all three generator could not be determined with certainty.

Crash of a Douglas C-118A Liftmaster into the Trinity Bay: 23 killed

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1961 at 0330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-118 Liftmaster
Operator:
Registration:
51-17626
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kenitra – Lajes – Argentia – Norfolk
MSN:
43670
YOM:
1952
Location:
Trinity Bay
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
While approaching Argentia-Bristol Field by night, the four engine aircraft crashed into the Trinity Bay about 50 km northeast of Argentia. In the early morning, few debris were found floating on water and all 23 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed the aircraft disintegrated in the air, maybe following a major technical issue. Nevertheless, due to the lack of evidence, it was not possible to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Crash of a Lockheed WV-2 Super Constellation at Argentia NAS: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1959 at 2335 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
141303
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4427
YOM:
1956
Location:
Argentia NAS
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The aircraft was involved in a maritime patrol flight over North Atlantic when an engine failed in flight. The crew decided to divert to Argentia NAS for an emergency landing. On touchdown by night, the right wing failed and the aircraft crashed in flames. A passenger was killed while all other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Lockheed WV-2 Super Constellation in Argentia NAS

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1959 at 1459 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
141332
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4456
YOM:
1957
Location:
Argentia NAS
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Just before touchdown, the aircraft encountered windshear and hit violently the runway surface. On impact, the right main gear was sheared off. The airplane skidded for about 1,500 feet when the right wing was sheared off as well. The aircraft veered to the right and came to rest 400 feet farther. All 21 occupants were evacuated while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on short final due to windshear.

Crash of a Lockheed WV-2 Super Constellation off Argentia NAS: 11 killed

Date & Time: Oct 18, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
141294
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Patuxent River - Argentia
MSN:
4418
YOM:
1956
Location:
Argentia NAS
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
While approaching Argentia NAS on a flight from Patuxent River NAS, the crew did not realize his altitude was insufficient. On final, the four engine aircraft crashed into the Bay of Placentia, about 1,000 feet short of runway threshold. Eleven occupants were killed while 18 others were injured, some of them seriously. The aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Lockheed WV-2 Super Constellation into the Atlantic Ocean: 22 killed

Date & Time: Feb 20, 1958 at 0535 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
141310
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Argentia - Lajes
MSN:
4434
YOM:
1956
Location:
Atlantic Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a flight from Argentia-Bristol Field NAS, Newfoundland, to Lajes Airbase, Azores Islands. While flying by night about 177 km west of Crovo Island, Azores, the airplane disappeared and crashed into the ocean. SAR operations were conducted for several days but no trace of the airplane nor the 22 occupants was ever found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty.

Crash of a Lockheed WV-2 Super Constellation at Argentia NAS

Date & Time: Apr 17, 1957 at 0933 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
141314
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Argentia - Argentia
MSN:
4438
YOM:
1956
Location:
Argentia NAS
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
558
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Argentia NAS, while on a barrier flight, the crew informed ATC that the aircraft caught fire, that he lost an engine and must return for an emergency landing. Following a return circuit, the pilot-in-command completed a wheels-up landing. The airplane slid for dozen yards before coming to rest in flames. All 24 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Overheating of the brakes on the left main gear caused a tire to explode when the gear was raised. High temperatures caused fire in the gear bay and fire spread to the engine number two which caught fire and detached shortly later.

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 Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer in Argentia NAS: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer
Operator:
Registration:
59988
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
59988
YOM:
1943
Location:
Argentia NAS
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The final approach to Argentia NAS was completed in low visibility due to poor weather conditions when the airplane hit tree tops and crashed few km short of runway threshold. Six crew members were killed while two others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
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