Zone
California

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-36 Marquise at Edwards AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 18, 1992 at 1226 LT
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
Registration:
N742FN
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
China Lake - Edwards AFB
MSN:
670
YOM:
1975
Location:
Edwards AFB
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was completing a liaison flight from China Lake on behalf of the US Navy, carrying seven US Navy personnels and two pilots. On final approach in good weather conditions, the aircraft struck the ground in a relative flat attitude about 800 metres short of runway 22, slid for about 200 metres and came to rest. All seven passengers were seriously injured and both crew members (Lt David W. Garnett and Aean Lorenzo Rodriguez) were killed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas R5D-2 at China Lake AFB

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
50852
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Los Alamitos - China Lake
MSN:
10429
YOM:
1944
Location:
China Lake AFB
California
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:
Upon landing at China Lake AFB, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation in San Francisco: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1963 at 1207 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
N9740Z
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Norfolk – Dallas – China Lake
MSN:
4851
YOM:
1958
Flight number:
SL40Z
Location:
San Francisco
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
18000
Captain / Total hours on type:
882.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
18600
Copilot / Total hours on type:
232
Aircraft flight hours:
4257
Circumstances:
A Slick Airways Lockheed 1049H, N9740Z, crashed and burned during an ILS approach to runway 28R at the San Francisco International Airport at approximately 1207 P.s.t., February 3, 1963. Due to an inoperative glide slope receiver, the crew was listening radar advisories on the localizer receiver for altitude information. The aircraft struck approach lights 1,170 feet from the runway threshold, climbed to about 200 feet and then crashed approximately 1,900 feet beyond the threshold and on the left edge of runway 28L. Of the three crew members and five passengers aboard, the captain, first officer, and two passengers received fatal injuries. The remaining persons aboard received serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by subsequent fire.
Probable cause:
The Board determines the probable cause of this accident was the continuation of an instrument approach after adequate visual reference was lost below authorized minimums. Inadequate monitoring of the instrument approach by the PAR controller was a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-3 Neptune near China Lake AFB

Date & Time: Apr 13, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
122984
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
China Lake AFB
California
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 crew was engaged in a routine flight when the left engine caught fire in flight. Shortly later, it detached from the wing and the crew decided to divert to China Lake AFB for an emergency landing. On approach, the pilot-in-command crash landed the airplane in a desert area. While there were no casualties, the airplane was written off.
Probable cause:
Fire on left engine which detached in flight.
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