Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor near Kansas City: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1965 at 0943 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N9980Z
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
AF-816
YOM:
1954
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
1307
Captain / Total hours on type:
83.00
Circumstances:
En route, control was lost and the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion near Kansas City. All five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent caused by the failure of the attitude gyro in flight. It was determined that a piece of vacuum hose was found split. The flow valve stuck was closed. Evidence of gyro speed not up.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S near Sonora: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 28, 1965 at 2145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N5974V
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
8076
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
2326
Captain / Total hours on type:
13.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night, the crew apparently lost his sens of orientation. Following a mismanagement of fuel, the airplane went out of control and crashed in an uninhabited area located near Sonora. The wreckage was found on March 3, 1965 and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Disorientation over dark sparcely lighted terrain. Uncontrolled descent apparently caused by a mismanagement of fuel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-55-CK Commando in Miami: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1965 at 0420 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YS-012C
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Miami – San Salvador
MSN:
127
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
14606
Captain / Total hours on type:
2353.00
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a night cargo flight from Miami to San Salvador. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the left engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed in a huge explosion near the runway end. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine during initial climb due to a crankshaft failure (fatigue fracture) and oil contamination. Inadequate maintenance and inspection on part of the operator. The aircraft was also improperly loaded.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7B off Jones Beach: 84 killed

Date & Time: Feb 8, 1965 at 1825 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N849D
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Boston – New York – Richmond – Charlotte – Greenville – Atlanta
MSN:
45455
YOM:
1958
Flight number:
EA663
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
79
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
84
Captain / Total flying hours:
12607
Captain / Total hours on type:
595.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8550
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2750
Circumstances:
Eastern Air Lines, Flight EA 663 was a scheduled passenger flight originating at Boston, MA (BOS), and terminating at Atlanta, GA (ATL) with intermediate stops at New York (JFK), Richmond, VA (RIC), Charlotte, NC (CLT), and Greenville-Spartanburg, SC (GSP). The DC-7B took off from runway 31L at New York-JFK at 18:20 on an IFR clearance to the Richmond Airport. The crew flew a Dutch 7 Standard Instrument Departure. About 18:24 EAL 663 was further cleared to 8,000 feet and instructed to turn right to a heading of 150 degrees. The flight acknowledged this clearance and reported leaving 3,000 feet. Shortly thereafter the crew reported leaving 3,500 feet at which time the flight was instructed to turn left to a heading of 090 degrees. At 18:25, while climbing through 3700 feet Departure Control instructed the flight to "... turn right now, heading one seven zero to Victor one thirty nine, traffic 2 o'clock five miles northeast bound below you." The flight responded, "OK we have the traffic, turning one seven zero..." The other traffic was Pan American flight 212 arriving from San Juan. The Boeing 707 was being vectored to intercept the final approach course to runway 31R. At approximately 18:24 Approach Control had instructed the PA212 to turn right to a heading of 020 degrees and inquired if the flight had as yet, reached 3,000 feet. Approach Control then instructed the flight to report leaving each 500-foot level down to 3,000 feet and advised the flight of " ...Traffic at 11 O'clock, six miles southeast bound just climbing out of three (3,000 feet)." As the Eastern DC-7 was turning from 090 to 170 degrees, the airplane was in a 35-degree banked nearly level turn. With PA212 approx. 700 feet lower and four miles away at 3 o'clock, PA212 would not be visible to the captain of EA663 until he was nearly around the turn and on the rollout. Upon completion of the turn, they were on a nearly head-on, converging course with PA212. At that moment, PA212 started a left turn to the assigned heading of 360 degrees. The results of this turn would be to produce an illusion of an apparent collision track. Also, EA663 was turning away from the background lights of the Long Island shore into a black area, so there was no horizon available to assist in the determination of the relative altitude of the target airplane. Under these circumstances, it is likely that the Eastern pilot started a descent, initially as a precautionary measure, which would give him a longer time to observe the other aircraft, and provide him with a measure of vertical separation. Afraid of a collision, PA212 rolled rapidly to the right and also initiated a descent. The Eastern pilot also made a rapid roll to the right and/or a pull up. In this circumstance the DC-7 was placed in an unusual attitude, resulting in spatial disorientation of the crew. They were not able to recover from the vertical bank. The DC-7 struck the sea and disintegrated.
Probable cause:
The evasive action taken by EAL 663 to avoid an apparent collision with PAA 212. The evasive manoeuvre of EAL 663, prompted by illusion, placed the aircraft in an unusual attitude from which recovery was not effected.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S near Elko: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1965 at 1225 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N5970C
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
A-845
YOM:
1952
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4900
Circumstances:
En route, weather conditions worsened with snow falls, thunderstorm activity and turbulences. In low visibility, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located in the region of Elko. Due to poor weather conditions, SAR operations were hampered and eventually suspended few days later. The wreckage was found on 13 May 1965 in an isolated area. The pilot was killed. The aircraft was owned by David E. Gast.
Probable cause:
Loss of control following a powerplant failure for undetermined rasons. The pilot in command continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions (turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorm, downdrafts and updrafts).
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-82A Packet near Beaver

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1965 at 1705 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N208M
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
10163
YOM:
1945
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a positioning flight to Fairbanks, both engines failed simultaneously. Unable to maintain the prescribed altitude, the crew decided to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane crash landed in a snow covered area located about 100 miles north of Fairbanks, near Beaver. All three crew members were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Both engines failed en route due to icing. It was determined that weather conditions were conducive to carburetor icing in flight. For unknown reason, the crew failed to use the deicing-anti-icing equipment in flight. The crew received a report of enroute sky conditions from the airline but did not receive any weather briefing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker in Wichita: 30 killed

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1965 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
57-1442
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
McConnell - McConnell
MSN:
17513
YOM:
1958
Flight number:
501
Location:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
30
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from McConnell AFB, while climbing to a height of 500-700 feet, the captain sent a first distress call while the aircraft experienced a large amount of yaw. The crew elected to return for a safe landing and began to dump large quantities of fuel from the aircraft's refueling tanks. Shortly after this, the aircraft made a hard bank to the left, and began to enter a roll. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed at the intersection of Piatt and 20th Street, just three minutes after takeoff, some 7 miles north-northwest of the airbase. The aerial refueling aircraft was loaded with 31,000 US gallons of jet fuel and the crash resulted in a large explosion and subsequent fire, which engulfed dozens of homes. The accident killed all seven crew members on board the aircraft and 23 people on the ground. In addition, 27 other people on the ground sustained injuries, three of which were serious. It was reported that the crew entry door was jettisoned and a B-52 Stratofortress bomber, which took off prior to the KC-135, may have blown a detached drag chute from an F-105 Thunderchief against the departing aircraft.
Probable cause:
Ten months after the accident, the U.S. Air Force issued an official accident report which stated that the crash was caused by "a rudder control system malfunction" which was impossible for the crew to overcome.

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LearStar I in Detroit: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1965 at 1208 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N512V
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Detroit - Detroit
MSN:
2580
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
11008
Captain / Total hours on type:
3870.00
Aircraft flight hours:
7877
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Detroit-Willow Run (Ypsilanti) Airport. On final approach to runway 05R, the instructor decided to make a go around. The crew increased engine power, raised the landing gear and deployed the flaps when the airplane stalled and crashed in a field and burst into flames. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control caused by the failure of a flap cable.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S in Quitman

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1965 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N5881C
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
8704
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
18000
Captain / Total hours on type:
145.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot informed ATC about his situation and reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a field located in Quitman and slid for several yards before coming to rest. The pilot was slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
In-flight failure of both engines for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Pile Bay: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1965 at 1409 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4799C
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
1292
YOM:
1959
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
253
Captain / Total hours on type:
31.00
Circumstances:
En route, weather conditions deteriorated and while cruising in rain falls, the pilot lost his sens of orientation when the single engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Pile Bay. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both occupants were killed. The wreckage was found a day later.
Probable cause:
The pilot continued under VFR mode into adverse weather conditions. It is reported the pilot exercised poor judgment and that the weather forecast was incorrect.
Final Report: