Zone
Illinois

Crash of a Douglas C-47D in Chanute AFB: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-49416
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
15232/26677
YOM:
1944
Location:
Chanute AFB (Rantoul)
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The approach to Chanute AFB was completed by night and very limited visibility due to foggy conditions. On final, the aircraft hit the roof's corner of a barrack, stalled and crashed on a second barrack. All 19 passengers were injured while all three crew members were killed as the cockpit was destroyed on impact.

Crash of a Bell YFM-1A Airacuda in Dewey: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 22, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Bell YFM-1 Airacuda
Operator:
Registration:
38-497
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Chanute - Keesler
Location:
Dewey
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
En route from Chanute AFB to Keesler AFB, the crew encountered technical problems and abandoned the airplane that crashed in an open field in Dewey, bursting into flames. The copilot was found uninjured while the pilot was killed after his parachute failed to open.
Crew (10th ABS):
1st Lt James Otis Read, pilot.
Probable cause:
An hydraulic broke out in flight, then a fire erupted.

Crash of a Douglas B-18 Bolo near Delavan: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1938
Type of aircraft:
Douglas B-18 Bolo
Operator:
Registration:
36-265
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Chanute - Lowry
MSN:
1653
YOM:
1936
Location:
Delavan
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Chanute AFB (Rantoul, IL), on a flight to Lowry AFB, Denver, carrying six passengers and two pilots. En route, the crew encountered very bad weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and strong atmospheric turbulences. The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field located near Delavan. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all eight occupants were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt Norman H. Ives, pilot,
Pvt Max W. Myser,
Pvt George L. Huntsman +5.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the aircraft either was struck by lightning or disintegrated in the air due to severe atmospheric turbulences.

Crash of De Havilland DH.4M at Chanute AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1926
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.4
Operator:
Registration:
AC-30859
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chanute AFB - Chanute AFB
Location:
Chanute AFB (Rantoul)
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed Chanute AFB on a local training mission when the aircraft collided with a USAAC Consolidated PT-1 Trusty. Registered 26-343, the Consolidated was also completing a local training mission with two pilots on board. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed, killing all four crew members.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.4B at Chanute AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1924
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.4
Operator:
Registration:
22-1131
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chanute AFB - Chanute AFB
Location:
Chanute AFB (Rantoul)
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local training flight at Chanute AFB, Rantoul. The accident occurred in unknown circumstances, killing the pilot Lt Frank P. Albrook who later gave his name to the airport of Panama City, Panama.
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