Zone
California

Crash of a Fokker Y1C-14 near Cajon Pass

Date & Time: May 7, 1937
Type of aircraft:
Fokker F14
Operator:
Registration:
31-385
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Edwards - March
MSN:
1417
YOM:
1931
Location:
Cajon Pass
California
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:
En route from Edwards AFB to March AFB, the pilot encountered engine problems. He bailed out and abandoned the aircraft that entered a dive and crashed in a mountainous terrain near Cajon Pass, 30 km southwest of Victorville. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was uninjured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Martin YB-10 near March AFB

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1937
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-10 (Model 139 & 166)
Operator:
Registration:
33-152
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
520
YOM:
1933
Location:
March AFB
California
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:
On approach to March AFB, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a field located 8 km southeast of the airbase, bursting into flames. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Crash of a Keystone Y1B-4A near Palmdale

Date & Time: Feb 28, 1934
Type of aircraft:
Keystone LB-3
Operator:
Registration:
30-281
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
March – Las Vegas
Location:
Palmdale
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:
En route from March AFB to Las Vegas, the crew encountered problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed some 32 km east of Palmdale and came to rest. All five crew members evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Emergency landing due to a fuel management error.

Crash of a Sikorsky C-6A in Oceanside: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1933 at 1210 LT
Type of aircraft:
Sikorsky S-38
Operator:
Registration:
30-399
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
March AFB - San Diego
MSN:
514-2
YOM:
1929
Location:
Oceanside
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The seaplane departed March AFB on a flight to San Diego-Rockwell Field. While cruising at an altitude of 3,000 feet, the airplane suffered a structural failure. It entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a pasture in Oceanside. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and all seven crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt Carl H. Murray,
Sgt Archie W. Snodgrass,
Sgt Bonnell L. Herrick,
Cpl Walter T. Taylor,
Pvt Stanley Book,
Pvt Albert Overend,
Pvt Vincent Galdin.
Probable cause:
The airplane suffered a structural failure in flight after a wing strut failed at an altitude of 3,000 feet. As a result of this accident, all remaining USAAC Sikorsky C-6 were withdrawn from use and scrapped.

Crash of a Fokker Y1C-14 in near the Cajon Pass: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 1, 1933
Type of aircraft:
Fokker F14
Operator:
Registration:
31-388
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
March – Crissey
MSN:
1420
YOM:
1931
Location:
Cajon Pass
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane departed March AFB on a flight to Crissey Field, San Francisco, carrying 7 crew members. En route, while flying in foggy conditions, the airplane impacted a mountain slope near the Cajon Pass, in the San Bernardino National Forest, California. Three crew members were killed and four others were injured, two seriously.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Keystone LB-3A at March AFB

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1932
Type of aircraft:
Keystone LB-3
Operator:
Registration:
30-302
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
March AFB - March AFB
Location:
March AFB
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:
The crew departed March AFB on a local training flight. While in the vicinity of the airbase, the crew was forced to make an emergency landing for unknown reasons. The aircraft crash landed in a field located 2 miles southeast of the airbase. All five occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of A De Havilland DH.4M at March AFB

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1928
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.4
Operator:
Registration:
AC-30422
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
March AFB - March AFB
Location:
March 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:
Crashed in unknown circumstances some 1,5 mile east of March AFB. Crew fate unknown.
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