Zone
Michigan

Crash of a Lockheed 5B Vega in Hamilton

Date & Time: May 14, 1930
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 5 Vega
Operator:
Schlee-Brock Aircraft Corporation - SBAC
Registration:
NC892E
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Detroit – Hamilton
MSN:
74
YOM:
1929
Location:
Hamilton
Ontario
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Hamilton following an uneventful flight from Detroit, the single engine airplane crashed in Ancaster, about 7 km northwest of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were injured, the pilot Don Walker seriously.

Crash of a Verville 104P Air Coach in Attica: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1930
Type of aircraft:
Verville 104 Air Coach
Operator:
Registration:
NC70W
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Detroit – New York
MSN:
06
YOM:
1930
Location:
Attica
New York
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:
The crew departed Detroit on a flight for New York to take part to a new aircraft exhibition. En route, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions due to heavy snow falls. In poor visibility, the aircraft impacted a hill near Attica. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Ford 4 in Toledo

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Ford 4
Operator:
Registration:
NC1076
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Toledo – Detroit
MSN:
4-AT-009
YOM:
1927
Location:
Toledo
Ohio
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:
Shortly after takeoff from Toledo Airport, while climbing, a fire erupted in the cabin. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing. The airplane crashed in an open field and came to rest, bursting into flames. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
A fire erupted in the cabin, probably after sack of air mail caught fire in flight.

Crash of a Ford 4 in Detroit

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1928
Type of aircraft:
Ford 4
Operator:
Registration:
NC880
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4-AT-008
YOM:
1927
Location:
Detroit
Michigan
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:
While approaching Detroit Airport, the three engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. All three occupants were injured.

Crash of a Ford 2 Pullman in Chicago: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 18, 1926 at 1640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ford 2
Operator:
Ford Air Freight Lines
Registration:
1
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chicago - Detroit
MSN:
1
YOM:
1925
Location:
Chicago-Midway
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 was performing the first commercial cargo flight from Chicago to Detroit for the Ford Air Freight Lines Company. The Ford 2-AT Pullman was carrying mail and cargo on behalf of the Contract Air Mail. Shortly after takeoff from Chicago-Midway Airport, while climbing in poor weather conditions, the aircraft named 'Maiden Dearborn I' went out of control and crashed in Summit, some 2 miles west of the airport. The pilot was killed and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
In 1928, U.S. Commerce Department declared the wings to be structurally unsafe. All remaining 2-AT's were scrapped.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.4M in Detroit River

Date & Time: Aug 10, 1921
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.4
Operator:
Registration:
AS-63880
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Detroit
Michigan
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:
Crashed in the Detroit River following an in-flight engine fire. The aircraft was destroyed. Crew fate unknown.
Probable cause:
Engine fire in flight.
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