Madera | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

After takeoff the aircraft was observed to trail a brown substance. About 3 miles from the airport the right engine oil pressure dropped. The pilot decided to return to the airport. When he thought the runway was attainable he lowered the flaps; however, a loss of power in the left engine occurred and a landing was made in a wheat field. Investigation revealed failure of the front master rod bearing in the right engine. The aircraft had not been flown for five years prior to this flight and evidence of oil starvation was apparent in both engines. Both pilots escaped with minor injuries.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) lubricating system,oil line - cracked
2. (c) maintenance - improper - other person
3. (c) fluid,oil - starvation
4. (c) engine assembly,master rod - failure,total
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
Findings
5. (c) emergency procedure - not followed - pilot in command
6. (f) lack of familiarity with aircraft - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
7. (f) terrain condition - crop
8. (f) object - fence

Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing B-52B-35-BO Stratofortress near Madera: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 17, 1956

Type of aircraft:

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

Operator:

Registration:

53-0393

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

16873

YOM:

1953

Location:

Madera

California

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route, the aircraft caught fire, apparently on a wing. The crew elected to return to his base but control was lost. Two crew members were able to bail out and were later recovered while all five other occupants were killed when the airplane crashed along Highway 99, about 9 miles southeast of Madera.

Crash of a North American CB-25J Mitchell off Malibu: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1946

Type of aircraft:

North American B-25 Mitchell

Operator:

Registration:

44-30047

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Los Angeles - Los Angeles

MSN:

136-34372

Location:

Madera

California

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following several modifications, the aircraft was completing a test flight for a CAA certification and was carrying a NAA research engineer, one pilot and a CAA inspector. After its departure from Los Angeles-Mine Field, the twin engine aircraft flew to the northwest when an engine caught fire in flight. Out of control, the aircraft dove into the sea and crashed few miles off Malibu. All three occupants were killed.
Crew:
Joseph E. Barton, pilot,
Albon C. Cowles Jr., research engineer.
Passenger:
Mr. McCutcheon, CAA inspector.
Source: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_bombers/b25_20.html

Probable cause:

Engine fire in flight.

Crash of a Douglas RA-20A in Madera

Date & Time: Jul 8, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston

Operator:

Registration:

40-83

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane suffered a fuel exhaustion and was abandoned by the crew who bailed out. All three crew members were uninjured while the airplane crashed and was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Fuel exhaustion.