Hamilton-Kindley Field

The four engine airplane was completing a flight from Madrid to Bogotá with intermediate stops in Lajes (Azores Islands) and Hamilton, Bermuda. En route from Lajes to Hamilton, the navigation system failed and the crew became lost and disoriented. While cruising in strong head winds (up to 55 knots), the aircraft ran out of fuel and the crew was forced to ditch the aircraft about 330 km east of Cape May, New Jersey. The airplane remained afloat for about 56 hours before it sank and was lost. Eight occupants were rescued and evacuated while five others were killed.

The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Hamilton-Kindley Field Airport. Following few touch-and-go manoeuvres, the pilot-in-command started a new approach when all four engines stopped simultaneously. Due to low speed, the airplane stalled and crashed near the runway threshold. Four passengers were killed while nine other occupants were injured, some of them seriously. The aircraft was destroyed.

On 29 June 1964, a Douglas HC-54 (serial number 42-72590, of the USAF 57th Air Rescue Squadron) and a Boeing HC-97 (serial number 52-2773, USAF 55th Air Rescue Squadron) were involved in an aerial photography mission near Kindley Air Base, Bermuda. To support the NASA Gemini program, it was necessary to train pararescue personnel in the delivery and installation of flotation collars on the Gemini' space capsule. This required placing personnel performing temporary duty at Bermuda where water jumps were to be conducted. In conjunction with this training, a requirement existed to support preparation of a film concerning the "pararescue" mission. Since the two requirements appeared compatible, they were combined into one mission. The HC-97 took off at 11:05 local time, and the HC-54 took off at 11:10. The weather was 2,000 feet scattered clouds, 2,500 feet scattered clouds, visibility 9 miles, and winds variable at 8 knots. Both aircraft arrived in the drop area and because of the clouds, decided to fly the mission at 1,700 feet (below the clouds). Aboard each aircraft were, photographers and pararescuemen. There were also photographers aboard the boats in the drop area to photograph the drop from the surface. As they had briefed before the flight the aircraft established themselves in proper positions. The first run had the HC-97 taking photos as the HC-54 (which was slightly forward and below) began deploying the pararescuemen. Right-hand patterns were flown, and photos were to be shot with the sun behind the cameras, and at an angle that would not reveal any of the land surface in the photos. After a few passes over the drop area with the pararescuemen being deployed from the HC-54, the aircraft changed positions. This placed the HC-54 slightly ahead and below and to the left of the HC-97. After flying one dry run and again in the right-hand pattern, two pararescuemen deployed from the HC-97. Seconds later, the two aircraft collided. The HC-54D suddenly banked to the right, colliding with the HC-97G, hitting the wing or midsection of the HC-97G and sheering both its wing and the tail section, and both aircraft immediately plunged towards the water. The three boats in the area immediately began a search for any survivors. Both aircraft were destroyed, and there were no survivors.
Source: Facebook page Bermuda Air Collision

On 29 June 1964, a Douglas HC-54 (serial number 42-72590, of the USAF 57th Air Rescue Squadron) and a Boeing HC-97 (serial number 52-2773, USAF 55th Air Rescue Squadron) were involved in an aerial photography mission near Kindley Air Base, Bermuda. To support the NASA Gemini program, it was necessary to train pararescue personnel in the delivery and installation of flotation collars on the Gemini' space capsule. This required placing personnel performing temporary duty at Bermuda where water jumps were to be conducted. In conjunction with this training, a requirement existed to support preparation of a film concerning the "pararescue" mission. Since the two requirements appeared compatible, they were combined into one mission. The HC-97 took off at 11:05 local time, and the HC-54 took off at 11:10. The weather was 2,000 feet scattered clouds, 2,500 feet scattered clouds, visibility 9 miles, and winds variable at 8 knots. Both aircraft arrived in the drop area and because of the clouds, decided to fly the mission at 1,700 feet (below the clouds). Aboard each aircraft were, photographers and pararescuemen. There were also photographers aboard the boats in the drop area to photograph the drop from the surface. As they had briefed before the flight the aircraft established themselves in proper positions. The first run had the HC-97 taking photos as the HC-54 (which was slightly forward and below) began deploying the pararescuemen. Right-hand patterns were flown, and photos were to be shot with the sun behind the cameras, and at an angle that would not reveal any of the land surface in the photos. After a few passes over the drop area with the pararescuemen being deployed from the HC-54, the aircraft changed positions. This placed the HC-54 slightly ahead and below and to the left of the HC-97. After flying one dry run and again in the right-hand pattern, two pararescuemen deployed from the HC-97. Seconds later, the two aircraft collided. The HC-54D suddenly banked to the right, colliding with the HC-97G, hitting the wing or midsection of the HC-97G and sheering both its wing and the tail section, and both aircraft immediately plunged towards the water. The three boats in the area immediately began a search for any survivors. Both aircraft were destroyed, and there were no survivors.
Source: Facebook page Bermuda Air Collision

The crew was performing a local training flight when, at lift off, the aircraft stalled and crashed while the crew was simulating an engine failure. There were no casualties.

The crew was engaged in a reconnaissance mission from Hamilton-Kindley Field. While flying about 25 miles west of St George's Island, the aircraft christened 'Hurricane Hattie' suffered an engine failure. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into the sea, killing all 11 crew members.
Crew (373rd Reconnaissance Squadron):
Maj Roy H. Bruns
Cpt Cleo S. Maddox,
Cpt John C. Mays,
1st Lt James E. Shewey,
1st Lt Andrew J. Rooks,
T/Sgt Clarence J. Hyatt,
S/Sgt Harry N. Barker,
S/Sgt Preston S. Treadway,
Sgt James A. Sapp,
Cpl Harry N. Carden,
Cpl Robert D. Myrman.

Following a relative short takeoff roll, the airplane took off but encountered difficulties to gain height. It stalled, struck an embankment and crashed, bursting into flames. Five crew members were killed.