Crash of a Douglas VC-47D in Holyoke: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1955 at 2346 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-48276
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Bolling - Westover
MSN:
14092/25537
YOM:
1944
Location:
Holyoke
Connecticut
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While approaching Westover AFB on a flight from Bolling AFB, the crew encountered engine problems. As he lost height, the pilot-in-command elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed into the Connecticut River in Holyoke, about 4 miles from the airbase. Four crew members were rescued while four others were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the engine problems were caused by carburetor incing.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119F-FA Flying Boxcar in Lothian: 18 killed

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1954 at 2229 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
51-7993
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Oklahoma City – Bolling – Mitchel
MSN:
10732
YOM:
1951
Location:
Lothian
Maryland
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
Circumstances:
While cruising under VFR in poor weather conditions, the crew contacted ATC and requested the permission to continue under IFR. Awaiting the permission, the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in Lothian, about 14 miles east of Andrews AFB. All 18 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that weather conditions were poor at the time of the accident and that the crew should never start the flight under VFR rules. While cruising under VFR rules in IFR conditions, the crew lost control of the aircraft.

Douglas A-26C-55-DT Invader in Bolling AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Douglas A-26 Invader
Operator:
Registration:
44-35992
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bolling - Bolling
MSN:
29271
YOM:
1944
Location:
Bolling AFB
Washington DC
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in the vicinity of the Bolling AFB while performing a local training sortie. Two crew members were killed while a third occupant was injured.

Crash of a Douglas C-47D on Mt Mitchell: 9 killed

Date & Time: Oct 5, 1949 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-16386
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Bolling - Brookley
MSN:
20852
YOM:
1944
Location:
Mt Mitchell
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The airplane left Bolling AFB (Washington) at 0855LT bound for Brookley AFB in Mobile. About two hours into the flight, while cruising in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Mitchell (6,684 feet high). The wreckage was found two days later and all nine occupants have been killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-5-DK near Saluda: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-48910
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Bolling - Greenville
MSN:
14726/26171
YOM:
1944
Location:
Saluda
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Enroute, the aircraft hit the east slope of Mt Page located 2 miles southwest of Saluda, North Carolina. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. Four passengers were killed while six other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Curtiss R5C-1 Commando in Bolling AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1943 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
39492
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Anacostia-Bolling
MSN:
26429
YOM:
1943
Location:
Bolling AFB
Washington DC
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On final approach to Bolling AFB, aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion short of runway. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed UC-40A Electra Junior in Bolling AFB

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 12 Electra Junior
Operator:
Registration:
38-543
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1260
YOM:
1941
Location:
Bolling AFB
Washington DC
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach was performed in poor weather conditions. On touchdown, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. While there were no casualties, the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Lockheed C-57 LodeStar in Clinton

Date & Time: Nov 23, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-60 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
41-19731
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Bolling - Bolling
MSN:
2118
YOM:
1941
Location:
Clinton
Maryland
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During a training mission over Maryland, the crew was forced to make an emergency landing as the engine could not be restarted, maybe following a deliberate action on part of the crew who wanted to feather the props. The emergency landing was completed in a field in Clinton and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair while both occupants were unhurt.

Crash of a Douglas A-20B-DL Havoc at Bolling AFB: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 20, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston
Operator:
Registration:
AL487
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Bolling AFB
Washington DC
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane was supposed to be delivered to the Royal Air Force in Canada. Shortly after takeoff from Bolling AFB, it went out of control and crashed in the Potomac River. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Jack H. Marine, pilot, +2.
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