Crash of a Douglas VC-54G at Hanscom Field AFB

Date & Time: May 22, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
45-0585
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Andrews - Hanscom Field
MSN:
36038
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Bedford-Hanscom Field AFB, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck trees, stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area located less than a mile from the runway threshold. All three crew members were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18 in Marshfield: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 15, 1968 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1977D
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
A-824
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
13838
Captain / Total hours on type:
1348.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, both engines stopped simultaneously. The airplane stalled and crashed near the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to realize there was no fuel in the tanks prior to takeoff, causing both engines to fail after rotation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild F27T at Paisano Ranch: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 4, 1968 at 1615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N27W
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
123
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Captain / Total hours on type:
540.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to the Paisano Ranch private airstrip, the captain decided to make a go-around for unknown reason. The airplane stalled and crashed short of runway, killing both pilots who were conducting a positioning flight.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Improper flight decisions or planning,
- The pilot-in-command failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- The crew selected the wrong runway relative to existing wind,
- The crew attempted a go-around with propellers in ground fine position.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-188A Electra in Dawson: 85 killed

Date & Time: May 3, 1968 at 1548 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N9707C
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Houston - Dallas - Memphis
MSN:
1099
YOM:
1959
Flight number:
BN352
Location:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
80
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
85
Captain / Total flying hours:
10890
Captain / Total hours on type:
1380.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2568
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1820
Aircraft flight hours:
20958
Circumstances:
Braniff Flight 352 departed Houston (HOU) at 16:11 for a flight to Dallas (DAL) and climbed to FL200. Some 25 minutes into the flight, the L-188A Electra was approaching an area of severe thunderstorm activity. The crew requested a descent to FL150 and a deviation to the west. ARTCC then advised the crew that other aircraft were deviating to the east. The Electra crew still thought it looked all right on the west and were cleared to descend to FL140 and deviate to the west. At 16:44 the flight was further cleared to descend to 5000 feet. At 16:47 the aircraft had apparently encountered an area of bad weather, including hail, and requested (and were cleared for) a 180° turn. Subsequent to the initiation of a right turn, the aircraft was upset. During the upset, N9707C rolled to the right to a bank angle in excess of 90° and pitched nose-down to approximately 40 degrees. A roll recovery maneuver was initiated and the aircraft experienced forces of 4,35 g. Part of the right wing failed and the aircraft broke up at an altitude of 6750 feet and crashed in flames a little later. There was no survivor among the 85 occupants.
Probable cause:
The stressing of the aircraft structure beyond its ultimate strength during an attempted recovery from an unusual attitude induced by turbulence associated with a thunderstorm. The operation in the turbulence resulted from a decision to penetrate an area of known severe weather.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-8-31 in Atlantic City

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1968 at 0523 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1802
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Atlantic City - Atlantic City
MSN:
45277/94
YOM:
1960
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13849
Captain / Total hours on type:
1756.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local night training flight at Atlantic City Airport. On final approach, the pilot-in-command attempted a go-around when then aircraft lost height and crashed in flames short of runway threshold. All four crew members were seriously injured and the airplane was destroyed. At the time of the accident, both left engines n°1 & 2 were at full power while both right engines n°3 & 4 were at idle power.
Probable cause:
It is believed the aircraft stalled on short final while the crew elected to make a go-around at an insufficient speed, which caused the aircraft to stall and to crash.

Crash of a Beechcraft Queen Air 65 in Beaumont: 7 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1968 at 0015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N968Q
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
LC-120
YOM:
1962
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
4900
Captain / Total hours on type:
40.00
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Beaumont-Jack Brooks Airport, the twin engine aircraft struck the ground and crashed few miles short of runway. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Investigations were unable to determine the cause of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Waco UIC in San Luis Obispo: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1968 at 1314 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N13066
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
San Luis Obispo - San Luis Obispo
MSN:
3716
YOM:
1933
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
After completing touch-and-go, the pilot increased engine power and elected to takeoff. While climbing, the airplane stalled and crashed, killing all four occupants.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed and the aircraft entered an abnormally steep climb after touch-and-go and crashed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-123K Provider near Bruce: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1968 at 0900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
54-0602
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hurlburt Field - Hurlburt Field
MSN:
20051
YOM:
1954
Flight number:
Moose 09
Location:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Hultburt Field AFB at 0800LT on a training mission under call sign Moose 09. The assigned mission was a routine SEA serial spray training flight. The formation proceeded to a point 25 nm northwest of Panama City, Florida (the designated spray training area), arriving there at 08:35 CST. At this time a series of simulated defoliation runs were conducted over an open field. At approximately 08:50 CST Aircraft 54-0602 assumed the number three position in a right echelon formation for practice defoliation runs along a series of roads. At the completion of the first run the lead aircraft gave a command to place the aircraft in a "piggy back" formation, then climbed from 150 feet AGL to approximately 300 feet AGL and executed a 270 degree turn to the right. While in this turn the Number Three aircraft contacted the ground in a left wing low position, cartwheeled, immediately caught fire and was destroyed. The instructor pilot, two student pilots, and the flight engineer sustained fatal injuries.

Crash of a Lockheed P-3B-95-LO Orion at Moffett AFB

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A9-296
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Moffett - Moffett
MSN:
5406
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local test flight on this new aircraft which should be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force. Upon landing, one of the main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest in flames. While all four crew members escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage collapsed upon landing.

Crash of a De Havilland U-6A Beaver near Bent: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 8, 1968 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Holloman - Holloman
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was searching for a test balloon when the single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a mountainous area located six miles southeast of Bent. All three crew members were killed.