Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker in Amarillo: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1966 at 2145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
Operator:
Registration:
57-1424
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Refuelling
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Amarillo - Amarillo
MSN:
17495
YOM:
1958
Location:
Amarillo
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
3482
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to Amarillo Airport following a four-hour refueling mission. On final approach, the aircraft was unstable and banked left and right when it stalled and crashed in flames few dozen yards short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Oscillating and unstable approach for undetermined reason.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Brighton: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 14, 1966 at 1817 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
N6227X
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Denver - Denver
Location:
Brighton
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
11558
Captain / Total hours on type:
1135.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Denver-Stapleton on a local training mission for practicing stalls, single engine and emergency procedures. While in cruising altitude, the aircraft went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in a huge explosion near Brighton. The airplane was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to maintain flying speed and exercised poor judgment. The crew also attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment, the aircraft did not have dual flight controls.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Houston: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 1966 at 1155 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Lamb Rental Tours
Registration:
N189L
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
A-180
YOM:
1946
Location:
Houston-William P. Hobby
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
9500
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, after a course of 1,058 feet, the undercarriage were retracted. The aircraft sank on runway and both engines struck the ground. Out of control, the aircraft crashed in flames, killing all five occupants.
Probable cause:
Premature gear retraction on part of the crew who failed to abort takeoff. The aircraft needed more than 1,525 feet ground roll for takeoff and the props hit the runway surface 1,058 feet from start of roll.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 23 in Clarendon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1966 at 1238 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 23
Operator:
Registration:
N235R
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Amarillo - Dallas
MSN:
23-032
YOM:
1965
Location:
Clarendon
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2554
Captain / Total hours on type:
380.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training flight from Amarillo to Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. While climbing to an altitude of 41,000 feet, the crew lost control of the aircraft that entered an uncontrolled descent, dove into the ground and eventually crashed in a field located about a mile southwest of Clarendon, Texas. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and both occupants were killed. Turbulences were reported in the flight area at the time of the accident.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, it is believed that the loss of control was caused by the failure of both gyro horizons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-188C Electra in Ardmore: 83 killed

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1966 at 2030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-188 Electra
Operator:
Registration:
N183H
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Monterey - Ardmore - Columbus
MSN:
1136
YOM:
1961
Flight number:
AFA280D
Location:
Ardmore
Oklahoma
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
93
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
83
Captain / Total flying hours:
16247
Captain / Total hours on type:
1247.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
12355
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1155
Aircraft flight hours:
4019
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Monterey Airport, California, on a charter flight to Columbus, Georgia, with an intermediate stop at Ardmore Municipal Airport, Oklahoma, carrying 93 US soldiers and a crew of five on behalf of the Military Air Command. Following an uneventful flight from Monterey, the crew started the descent to Ardmore Municipal Airport by night and marginal weather conditions. An ADF instrument approach to runway 08 was abandoned and the crew decided to follow a visual approach to runway 30. While descending to runway 30 in poor visibility, the captain (also PIC) suffered a heart attack. The aircraft commenced an uncontrolled descent slightly banked to the right until it struck the ground and disintegrated about 1,5 mile short of runway 30. All five crew members and 75 passengers were killed while 18 others were seriously injured. Few hours later, three of the survivors died from their injuries.
Probable cause:
The Board determined the probable cause of this accident was the incapacitation, due to a coronary insufficiency, of the pilot-in-command at a critical point during visual, circling approach being conducted under instrument flight conditions. The Board was concerned by the fact that the pilot-in-command has an established medical history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, both of which are disqualifying for the issuance of a first-class medical certificate, and that he deliberately falsified his application for this certificate.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-119CF-FA Flying Boxcar at Scott AFB

Date & Time: Apr 17, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
51-8019
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Scott - Scott
MSN:
10762
YOM:
1951
Location:
Scott AFB (Belleville)
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
A Fairchild C-119CF-FA Flying Boxcar transport plane, 51·8019, had undergone a periodic inspection and was dispatched with a minimum crew for a Functional Check Fight (FCF). In the course of conducting checks at an altitude of 5000 feet, the no. 2 prop did not go into full feather. It continued to windmill. The crew then decided to return to Belleville-Scott AFB, IL (BLV) immediately. The pilot requested a straight-in approach to runway 31. Engine no. 2 was shut down and the plane was configured for landing. The airplane was high on the approach so the crew executed a go around and came in for a second approach. This time the airplane was slightly high and too fast so the pilot again called for a go around. During the transition from a high rate of descent to level flight for go around, the airspeed remained around 130 knots IAS. The captain raised the flaps from 40° to 20° and then reached for the gear up switch. The aircraft struck the runway and slid off the end into a grassy field. A fire that ensued after impact was contained by base crash and rescue crews.
Source: ASN

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Taylorsville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1966 at 0900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Renkenberger
Registration:
N9013K
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
AF-516
YOM:
1953
Location:
Taylorsville
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
12000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1500.00
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions on a cargo flight, the twin engine aircraft struck a hill and crashed near Taylorsville, North Carolina. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed. At the time of the accident, visibility was poor due to low ceiling and fog.
Probable cause:
It was determined the pilot was flying under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas TC-47K at Litchfield Park

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1966 at 1445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
C. D. Stoltzfus & Associates
Registration:
N91375
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Goodyear - Litchfield Park
MSN:
16432/33180
YOM:
1945
Location:
Litchfield Park
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13470
Captain / Total hours on type:
2854.00
Circumstances:
The crew obtained a special ferry permit and departed Goodyear-Litchfield Airport (five miles away) bound for Litchfield Park. On approach, smoke spread in the cockpit and after a normal touchdown, the crew vacated the runway via a taxiway and stopped the aircraft. While the crew evacuated safely, the airplane was totally destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Powerplant-fuel fed engine fire for undetermined reason. Fire pattern indicated started in accessory section.
Final Report:

Crash of a Canadair CL-44D4-2 at Norfolk-Chambers Field NAS

Date & Time: Mar 21, 1966 at 1525 LT
Type of aircraft:
Canadair CL-44
Operator:
Registration:
N453T
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Indianapolis – Norfolk
MSN:
22
YOM:
1961
Flight number:
FT6303
Location:
Norfolk-Chambers Field NAS
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8667
Captain / Total hours on type:
172.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
18
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight from Indianapolis to Chambers Field NAS in Norfolk. The copilot was in command on final approach to runway 10 and failed to realise that the aircraft position was inappropriate. The airplane touched down with its left main gear and nose gear first. At impact, the left wing was torn off and out of control, the airplane crashed inverted and burst into flames. All six crew members were quickly evacuated and the aircraft was totally destroyed.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the copilot. Improper level off and inadequate supervision on part of the captain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 near Meeker: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 20, 1966 at 2310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N94T
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Meeker
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
2300
Circumstances:
While cruising by night, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and heavy rain falls. At cruising altitude, control was lost. The aircraft went into an uncontrolled descent and eventually crashed in an uninhabited area located in the region of Meeker. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot did not receive a correct weather forecast prior to departure. Investigations revealed that he continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions and lost control of the airplane after suffering a spatial disorientation.
Final Report:
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