Sacramento-McClellan

While performing a SAR mission for a 12 foot boat that was missing since two days, the aircraft collided with a Bell AH-1 Suber Cobra operated by the US Marine Corps. Both machines crashed into the sea some 24 km off the San Clemente Island and all occupants were missing. SAR were abandoned on 01NOV2013 as no trace of the Hercules and the Cobra were found. It appears that the Cobra's crew was taking part of an exercise in an area reserved for training missions. At the time of the accident, the Cobra had its anticollision lights and IFF transponder switched off.

The crew landed with the landing gear in the retracted position. While the airplane was on the base leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot heard a helicopter pilot make a transmission over the common radio frequency. As he completed the before landing checklist the pilot searched for the helicopter that he heard over the radio. During the landing flare he realized something was amiss and looked down at the instrument panel. He noticed that the landing gear lights were illuminated red. Just prior to contacting the runway surface he reached for the landing gear handle and manipulated it in the down position. The airplane made a smooth touchdown with the landing gear in the retracted position. The pilot stated that he did not make the proper check for the gear extension due to the timing of the helicopter distraction. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine, stating that the accident was the result of pilot error.

The airplane departed Peterson AFB (Colorado Springs) on a flight to McClellan AFB with five passengers and two pilots on board. After departure, the crew reported problems with the undercarriage but was able to climb to FL230. A USAF Boeing NKC-135 registered 55-3120 was cruising in the region, enroute from Seattle to Kirtland AFB with 18 people on board. Its crew offered to proceed to a visual inspection of the underside part of the Sabreliner and positioned in a such manner. In unknown circumstances, the Sabreliner hit the top of the tail of the NKC-135. Out of control, the Sabreliner entered a dive and crashed in a huge explosion, killing all seven occupants. The NKC-135 was able to continue its flight and to land without further problems at Kirtland AFB.

Crashed in unknown circumstances ten miles of Marysville while completing a test flight out from McClellan AFB. All six crew members were killed.

The crew departed McClellan AFB on a topographic and geographical mission off the Californian coast. Shortly after takeoff from runway 16, while climbing to an altitude of 500 feet, the engine number two caught fire. The crew obtained the authorization to return for an emergency landing and the captain completed a 180 turn to intercept the glide. Doing so, the airplane lost 200 feet while flying over a populated area and the speed dropped to 120 knots. On final, the captain told his colleagues he was unable to reach the airport so he attempted an emergency landing in an open field located 1,5 mile short of runway 16. On touchdown, the airplane slid for several yards, lost its right wing and came to rest in flames. All 18 occupants were injured, five of them seriously, and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

The crew was completing a flight from McClellan AFB. On final approach to Hamilton AFB by night, the crew encountered foggy conditions when the four engine airplane hit the water surface and crashed into the San Pablo Bay about two miles southeast of the airbase. All 13 occupants were rescued while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair. USAF headquarter reported that the aircraft suffered a loss of engine power on final.

The crew was returning to his base at McClellan AFB after a 19 hours mission consisting of weather reports. On final approach, a propeller went into reverse. The airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion about three miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 10 crew members were killed.
Crew:
Maj Bruce Acebedo,
S/Sgt Carlton J. Fose,
M/Sgt Edwin M. Fultz,
Cpt Guilford A. Hopkins,
S/Sgt. Elbert E. King,
Cpt Robert L. Kizer,
2nd Lt August I. Lam,
S/Sgt Hayden C. Schulz,
T/Sgt George R. Shook,
Cpt Leonard B. Winstead.

Crashed on landing for unknown reason. There were no casualties.

En route from Ogden-Hill AFB to McClellan AFB in Sacramento, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in an isolated area located in the east part of California. As the aircraft failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. In May 1951, a rescue team taking part to the search of two fishermen discovered the wreckage of the airplane into the Lake Independence, about ten miles northwest of Truckee.

The aircraft departed Palm Springs in VFR conditions but while approaching the Sacramento area, the crew should continue in IFR mode. While descending to McClellan AFB, pilots were unable to locate the airport and were unaware of their exact position when the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed on a wooded mountain located three miles northwest of Auburn, about 20 miles northeast of the McClellan AFB. All three crew members and six passengers were killed while 16 other occupants were injured.