Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Boeing B-52B-10-BO Stratofortress in Tranquility

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1964 at 1900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Operator:
Registration:
52-0009
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Castle - Castle
MSN:
16500
YOM:
1952
Location:
Tranquility
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:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a mission from Castle AFB and while in cruising altitude, a fire erupted in the hydraulic system. All seven crew members ejected and abandoned the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed in a rice field located in Tranquility. All seven crew members were found alive while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
In-flight fire in the hydraulic system.

Crash of a Douglas R5D-3 in Calverton: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1964 at 1955 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-4
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kirtland – Calverton
Location:
Calverton
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft was performing a flight from Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, carrying eight crew members and aircraft equipment. On final approach to Calverton-Peconic River Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with rain showers and cross winds. By night, the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area located about a mile short of runway. Two crew members were seriously injured while six others were killed.
Those killed were:
Cpt Kyle Morris,
Cdr Robert Baker,
Lt Allen Able,
LT Ralph Stevens,
N. R. Seitz,
R. W. Caldwell.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Gainesville: 10 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1964 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Registration:
N2999
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Ocala-Gainesville-Jacksonville-Tallahassee
MSN:
A-0811
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
SCA510
Location:
Gainesville
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Captain / Total flying hours:
16647
Captain / Total hours on type:
486.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 06 at Gainesville Airport, while climbing to a height of 200 feet, the twin engine aircraft adopted a nose up attitude then stalled and crashed in a huge explosion about 80 feet past the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 10 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft was improperly loaded and the CofG was out of the enveloppe and too far aft, causing the aircraft to stall after takeoff. Inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning on part of the pilot.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18 Expeditor in Oakdale

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1964 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Registration:
N5046N
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
8175
YOM:
1945
Location:
Oakdale
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:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Circumstances:
While flying at a relative low altitude in the vicinity of the Oakdale Airport, the crew informed ATC that the aircraft suffered a double engine failure and requested the permission for an emergency landing. Due to low speed, the airplane stalled and crashed in a field located near the airport. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Dual engine failure caused by a fuel starvation. Due to a mismanagement of fuel, the crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing B-52D-10-BW Stratofortress near Barton: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1964 at 0145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Operator:
Registration:
55-0060
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Westover – Turner
MSN:
464012
YOM:
1955
Flight number:
Buzz14
Location:
Barton
Maryland
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While cruising in a blizzard at an altitude of 30,000 feet, the crew encountered severe turbulences and the airplane started an uncontrollable descent. Both pilot were able to eject while three other occupants were killed when the airplane crashed in a snow covered and wooded area located on the Savage Mountain. The aircraft was totally destroyed.
Crew:
Maj Thomas W. McCormick, pilot,
Cpt Parker C. Peedin, copilot,
Maj Robert E. Townley, bomb aimer, †
Maj Robert L. Payne, navigator, †
T/Sgt Melvin F. Wooten, tail gunner. †
Probable cause:
Due to severe atmospheric turbulences while cruising in the blizzard, the tail detached from the main fuselage, causing the aircraft to become uncontrollable.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 6BA in Stuart: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1964 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
National Executive Flight Service
Registration:
N4267C
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Stuart - Stuart
MSN:
04337
YOM:
1952
Location:
Stuart-Witham Field
Florida
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:
4035
Captain / Total hours on type:
210.00
Circumstances:
The crew was conducting a local training flight at Stuart-Witham Field Airport. Just after liftoff, while taking off with one engine inoperative to simulate a failure, the aircraft stalled and crashed. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the aircraft stalled during a simulated single-engine takeoff because its speed was insufficient. Inadequate supervision of flight on part of the crew.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 560 in Bruceton Mills: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 3, 1964 at 0600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
N8239D
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Bruceton Mills
West Virginia
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:
8879
Captain / Total hours on type:
1650.00
Circumstances:
In flight, the twin engine aircraft started and uncontrolled descent and crashed in flames in a prairie located in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot lost control of the aircraft after he suffered a heart attack.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing B-52F-105-BO Stratofortress at Columbus AFB: 9 killed

Date & Time: Dec 23, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Operator:
Registration:
57-0043
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Columbus - Columbus
MSN:
17437
YOM:
1957
Location:
Columbus AFB (Kaye Field)
Mississippi
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Columbus AFB, while climbing, the aircraft went into a cloudy area when control was lost. The airplane inverted then crashed in a huge explosion in a field located few km north of the airbase. All nine crew members were killed.
Crew:
Maj Carl M. Funk, pilot,
Cpt Elbert J. Andoe, copilot,
2nd Lt Leonard J. LeRose, copilot,
1st Lt Anthony J. Linzi, navigator,
1st Lt Harry L. Grebe, navigator,
Cpt Harry E. Bell, navigator,
Cpt Fred R. Curtis, radio operator,
1st Lt Liam Rafferty, electronic warfare officer,
M/Sgt Lacy Potter, air gunner.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the loss of control occurred while the airplane was flying in clouds after the artificial horizon failed. Due to the lack of any visual reference points, control was lost.

Crash of a Convair CV-580 in Midland

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1963 at 1142 LT
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-580
Operator:
Registration:
N7601
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
452
YOM:
1960
Location:
Midland
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Midland Airport, during the last segment, the airplane rolled left and right then lost height and struck the runway 10 surface. On impact, the undercarriage were sheared off and the airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. All four occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. A layer of 0,6 to 3 inches of ice was found on the upper wing surfaces.
Probable cause:
Failure of crew to use full deicing and anti-icing equipment in known icing conditions. It was reported they have been informed about icing conditions prior to the accident.

Crash of a Boeing 707-121 in Elkton: 81 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1963 at 2059 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 707
Operator:
Registration:
N709PA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
San Juan – Baltimore – Philadelphia
MSN:
17588
YOM:
1958
Flight number:
PA214
Location:
Elkton
Maryland
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
73
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
81
Captain / Total flying hours:
17049
Captain / Total hours on type:
2890.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
13963
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2681
Aircraft flight hours:
14609
Circumstances:
Pan American Flight 214, a Boeing 707-121, N709PA, departed Friendship International Airport, Baltimore, Maryland, for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at 2024 1 December 8, 1963. The aircraft, with 73 passengers and a crew of eight, was on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) clearance. Flight 214 reported over the New Castle, Delaware VOR at 2042 and was instructed to hold at 5,000 feet, west of the VOR. At 2058 a "MAYDAY" 2 transmission was heard from the flight. Shortly thereafter, the pilot of another aircraft broadcasted that "Clipper 214 is going down in flames". Flight 214 crashed two miles east of Elkton, Maryland, at 2059. All persons aboard the aircraft were killed instantly. The aircraft was destroyed by explosion, impact, and fire.
Probable cause:
The Board determines the probable cause of this accident was lightning induced ignition of the fuel/air mixture in the No. 1 reserve fuel tank with resultant explosive disintegration of the left outer wing and loss of control.
Final Report:
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