Zone
Michigan

Crash of a Ford XB-906 in Dearborn: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1931 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ford 5
Operator:
Registration:
NX9652
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dearborn - Dearborn
MSN:
XB-906-1
YOM:
1931
Location:
Dearborn
Michigan
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 was engaged in a local test flight on this first XB-906 prototype based on the Ford 5 and destined for the US Army. While flying in the vicinity of the airport, after completing a steep turn at high speed, the aircraft lost its both wings that were torn off. It entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed near the runway, bursting into flames. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sherman Leroy Manning, pilot,
L. H. Garriott, mechanic.
Probable cause:
Both wings detached in flight, probably after being overloaded due to excessive aerodynamic forces.

Crash of a Ford 5 in Dearborn: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1930
Type of aircraft:
Ford 5
Operator:
Registration:
NX419H
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dearborn - Dearborn
MSN:
5-AT-079
YOM:
1929
Location:
Dearborn
Michigan
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 was performing a local test flight at Dearborn Airport. Upon landing, the airplane went out of control and crashed, bursting into flames. Both crew members were killed.

Crash of a Ford 5 in Dearborn: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Ford 5
Operator:
Registration:
NC9674
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dearborn - Dearborn
MSN:
5-AT-032
YOM:
1929
Location:
Dearborn
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew (two pilots and two engineers) were completing a local test flight at Dearborn-Ford Airport. Upon landing, a wing hit the ground and the aircraft went out of control and crashed. All four occupants were killed. This model has been built five days earlier.

Crash of a Ford 4 in Dearborn: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1928 at 0845 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ford 4
Operator:
Ford Air Freight Lines
Registration:
NC1492
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dearborn – Buffalo
MSN:
4-AT-001
YOM:
1926
Location:
Dearborn
Michigan
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:
This cargo flight from Dearborn to Buffalo was the inaugural one. Shortly after takeoff from Dearborn-Ford Airport, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height. It rolled to the left then hit the ground before coming to rest, bursting into flames. Both occupants William Munn and E. K. Parker were killed.
Probable cause:
According to Edward G. Hamilton, Chief of Operations of the Ford air line service, the accident occurred when Munn, who was at the controls, forced the plane off the ground without sufficient flying speed.
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