Zone
California

Crash of a Douglas C-47D near Pasadena: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-48723
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
El Paso – Van Nuys
MSN:
14539/25984
YOM:
1944
Location:
San Gabriel Mountains
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:
While flying in limited visibility, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Wilson located in the San Gabriel Mountain range, about 7 miles northeast of Pasadena. All seven crew members were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed 5 Vega in Needles: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 5 Vega
Operator:
Associated Aviators
Registration:
NR859E
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Van Nuys – Cleveland
MSN:
67
YOM:
1929
Location:
Needles
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
En route from Van Nuys to Cleveland, the crew encountered stormy weather. In strong turbulences, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive. The mechanic was able to bail out before the aircraft crashed near Needles, east California. The wreckage was found three days later. The mechanic was found alive while the pilot was killed.
Crew:
John Wood, pilot,
Ward Miller, mechanic.

Crash of a Ryan M-1 in Van Nuys: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1926
Type of aircraft:
Ryan M-1/M-2
Operator:
Registration:
5
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
5
Location:
Van Nuys
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
During a mail flight, the pilot lost his orientation due to heavy rain falls and decided to bail out. Both occupants put their parachute but the aircraft stalled and crashed. The pilot survived while the passenger was killed.
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