Zone
Indiana

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL in Linton: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 8, 1944 at 1730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-100873
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Fort Wayne - Atlanta
MSN:
19336
YOM:
1943
Location:
Linton
Tennessee
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Crew was performing a flight from Fort Wayne to Atlanta-Candler Field. While descending, weather conditions worsened and ATC instructed the pilot to divert to Nashville. Captain modified his route to the northwest but informed ATC that his fuel reserve was limited. Few minutes later, he realized it would be difficult to localize the airport due to poor weather conditions and asked his crew to prepare to bail out. While flying in a low cloud layer, aircraft hit the ground with its left wing and crashed in an open field, killing all five occupants.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-35-DL in Rock Falls: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 2, 1943 at 1240 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-23957
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Fort Wayne - Hamilton
MSN:
9819
YOM:
1943
Location:
Rock Falls
Iowa
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cargo flight from Fort Wayne, Indiana, to the air base of Hamilton located near San Rafael, California. En route, the aircraft went into a low pressure area with thunderstorm activity and turbulence. Shortly later, the right wing broke off at its root, fell away and hit the rudder that was sheared off as well. Out of control, the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed half a mile west of Rock Falls, killing all five crew members.
Crew:
2nd Lt Suren Melkonian,
2nd Lt Leon Andrew Place,
Sgt Alfred W. Quinlan,
S/Sgt John E. Quinn,
2nd Lt Robert G. Randtke.
Probable cause:
The failure of the right wing in flight was caused by turbulence that exceeded the design limit of the wing structure. At the time of the accident, the total weight of the aircraft was in excess of more than one ton, which could be considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Stearman C-3MB in Fort Wayne: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1932
Type of aircraft:
Stearman C-3
Operator:
Registration:
NC6412
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
South Bend – Fort Wayne
MSN:
162
YOM:
1928
Location:
Fort Wayne
Indiana
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:
On final approach to Fort Wayne Airport, at an altitude of 300 feet, the airplane stalled and crashed short of runway. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
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