Zone
California

Crash of a Douglas R5D-2 at China Lake AFB

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
50852
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Los Alamitos - China Lake
MSN:
10429
YOM:
1944
Location:
China Lake AFB
California
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:
Upon landing at China Lake AFB, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Lockheed P-2H Neptune at Los Alamitos AAF

Date & Time: May 4, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
140962
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Los Alamitos - Los Alamitos
MSN:
726-7064
Location:
Los Alamitos AAF
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Los Alamitos AAF, following a local training mission, the aircraft crashed short of runway threshold and came to rest. All five crew members were uninjured.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-5FE Neptune in Los Alamitos AAF: 9 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Los Alamitos - Los Alamitos
Location:
Los Alamitos AAF
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 22 at Los Alamitos AAF, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed in the suburb of Seal Beach, about 3,5 miles southwest of the airport. All nine crew members were killed while there were no casualties on the ground.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-5F Neptune off Dana Point: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1960 at 1937 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
124893
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Los Alamitos - Los Alamitos
Location:
Dana Point
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2061
Captain / Total hours on type:
1703.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1025
Copilot / Total hours on type:
273
Circumstances:
The aircraft registered 124893 (VP-774) departed Los Alamitos AAF at 1548LT on a training flight with nine crew members on board. In the evening, while cruising over the Pacific Ocean, the right engine failed. The pilot-in-command increased power on the left engine but unable to maintain the assigned altitude, the captain decided to ditch the aircraft that crashed into the sea off Dana Point. Five crew members were rescued while four others were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the right engine failure could not be determined with certainty. However, it was confirmed it was not caused by icing conditions.
Subscribe to Los Alamitos AAF