Zone
Colorado

Crash of a Consolidated B-24E-1-DT Liberator in Merna: 10 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
41-28413
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Chicago – Denver
MSN:
5
Location:
Merna
Nebraska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
En route, while overflying Nebraska, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a canyon located some 15 miles southwest of Merna. All 10 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Boeing 247D in Cheyenne: 12 killed

Date & Time: Oct 7, 1935 at 0219 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 247
Operator:
Registration:
NC13317
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Oakland – Salt Lake City – Denver – Cheyenne
MSN:
1698
YOM:
1935
Flight number:
UA004
Location:
Cheyenne
Wyoming
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Denver, the crew initiated the approach to Cheyenne Airport. The visibility was poor due to the night and marginal weather conditions. Too low, the airplane impacted the top of a hill, continued for about 300 metres and crashed, bursting into flames. All 12 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Whether or not the pilot was flying entirely on instruments, the question still arises as to why he was flying so close to the ground at the point of first contact with the ground. It is possible that the copilot in giving their position as Silver Crown could have done so having observed that the airplane was approaching Silver Crown. The pilot, hearing this over the interphones, might have taken this literally and started losing altitude factor or sooner than he should have from actual location. Another possibility is that the pilot misread his altimeter and as a consequence was actually flying at a much lower altitude than he believed. An additional 1,000 feet of altitude at the point of the accident would have placed the airplane in suitable position for a normal power glide to the airport for a landing. It is the opinion of the Accident Board that the probable cause of this accident was an error on the part of the pilot in judging his altitude or his distance from the airport, or both.

Crash of a Waco YKC near Glendo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1935 at 2005 LT
Type of aircraft:
Waco YKC
Operator:
Aero Mayflower Transit Company
Registration:
NC14140
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Helena – Denver
MSN:
4204
YOM:
1934
Location:
Glendo
Wyoming
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Prior to departure, the pilot was informed about poor weather conditions en route and was instructed to follow the normal route which is longer. The aircraft departed Helena at 1600LT then the pilot failed to follow the instructions and continued through a mountainous region at an altitude of 8,500 feet. Later, while cruising at a height of some 10,000 feet in low visibility due to fog and rain, the single engine aircraft impacted the slope of the Lamario Peak, some 43 miles west of Glendo. The wreckage was found few hours later. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is the opinion of the Accident Board that the probable cause of this accident was poor judgment on the part of the pilot for attempting to unnecessarily fly over a hazardous route.

Crash of a Stearman C-3MB in Denver

Date & Time: Aug 10, 1930
Type of aircraft:
Stearman C-3
Operator:
Registration:
NC3863
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
106
YOM:
1928
Location:
Denver
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and the pilot, sole on board, was injured.

Crash of a Metal G-2W Flamingo in Denver

Date & Time: May 13, 1930
Type of aircraft:
Metal G-2W Flamingo
Operator:
Registration:
NC655E
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
8
YOM:
1929
Location:
Denver
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing following unknown technical problems. After touchdown, the aircraft rolled for several yards before coming to rest in a ravine. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Forced landing due to unknown technical failure.

Crash of a Stearman C-3B in Dupont

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1930
Type of aircraft:
Stearman C-3
Operator:
Registration:
NC8820
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
235
Location:
Denver
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a mail flight, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to heavy snow falls. While attempting an emergency landing, the airplane impacted power cables and crashed. The pilot was injured.

Crash of a Metal G-2W Flamingo in Denver

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Metal G-2W Flamingo
Operator:
Registration:
NC661E
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
6
YOM:
1929
Location:
Denver
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Denver Airport with eight people on board, six passengers and two crew members. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane stalled and crashed. All eight occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Ford 4 near Spur: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 1, 1928 at 1700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ford 4
Operator:
Sunbeam Air Transport Company
Registration:
NC7862
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
San Antonio – Denver
MSN:
4-AT-047
YOM:
1928
Location:
Spur
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Homer D. Ballard, owner of the Sunbeam Air Transport Company, took delivery of this aircraft in San Antonio and was flying back to his base in Denver with one pilot, a garage's employee, his chef and his chauffeur. En route, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and lost control of the aircraft that crashed 10 km north of Spur, Texas. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All five occupants were killed.
Crew:
Matthew Watson, pilot.
Passengers:
Homer D. Ballard,
Willis Washburn,
Mr. Quinten,
James O'Banion.

Crash of a Douglas M-4 in Denver

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1927
Type of aircraft:
Douglas M-4
Operator:
Registration:
NC1476
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
WAE3
Location:
Denver
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. The pilot, sole on board, was injured.
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