Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon in Seldovia

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1963 at 1035 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N9929H
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1369
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1308
Captain / Total hours on type:
24.00
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Seldovia Airport, the airplane encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance, overran, hit obstacles and went down an embankment before coming to rest. All four occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command misjudged the distance and speed and inadequate supervision of flight on part of the check pilot. A downwind landing was a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Martin 404 in Rochester: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1963 at 1649 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N449A
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rochester – White Plains
MSN:
14140
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
MO112
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
38
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
15970
Captain / Total hours on type:
414.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3439
Copilot / Total hours on type:
795
Aircraft flight hours:
29817
Circumstances:
A Mohawk Airlines, Inc., Martin 404, N449A, operating as Flight 112 from Rochester, New York, to Newark, New Jersey, crashed on the Rochester-Monroe County Airport July 2, 1963, at approximately 1649 e d t. Seven of the forty-three persons aboard, including both pilots, were fatally injured. Flight 112 commenced a takeoff on runway 28 as a thunderstorm approaching from the west-northwest, moved over the takeoff runway. After becoming airborne and almost immediately after entering heavy rain and shifting wind conditions, the left wing of the aircraft made contact with the ground. In the ensuing Cartwheel to a stop, the aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was a loss or control during an attempted takeoff into a severe thunderstorm.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker at Westover AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
57-1498
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Westover - Westover
MSN:
17569
YOM:
1958
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Westover AFB and encountered poor visibility due to heavy rain falls. On final, the airplane was too low, struck trees and crashed on a hilly and wooded terrain (777 feet high) located 5 miles short of runway and one mile to the left of the approach path. Three crew members were injured and the fourth occupant was killed. For unknown reason, the aircraft passed below the decision height and was not properly aligned.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation in Manhattan

Date & Time: May 28, 1963 at 1746 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N189S
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Daggett – Manhattan
MSN:
4541
YOM:
1954
Flight number:
ST388C
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
64
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
16200
Captain / Total hours on type:
3287.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
9000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2500
Aircraft flight hours:
19008
Circumstances:
Flight 388C was a nonstop flight from Daggett, California, to Manhattan, Kansas. The crew consisted of Captain David R Brown, First Officer Joseph A. Merlo, Flight Engineer Peter H. Raymon, Stewardesses Sandra R. wise, and Ann H. Allen, and Pilot/Observer Penrod Rideout who was assigned to this flight to observe operating procedures preparatory to transitioning to L-1049 type aircraft. The aircraft was serviced with fuel and oil at the company's maintenance base in Long Beach, California, and departed for Daggett at 1210. The only maintenance required prior to departure was the replacement of the Y-lead, high tension ignition leads, and spark plugs of cylinders Nos. 12 and 13 on the No. 3 engine. Upon arrival at Daggett at 1245, Federal Aviation Agency (TAA) and Military Air Transport Service (MATS) inspectors conducted a visual ramp inspection of the aircraft and interrogation of the crew. The only discrepancy noted was small area of corrosion on the underside of the aft fuselage in the vicinity of the lavatory service area. Sixty-four U. S. Army personnel boarded at Daggett and were briefed by a stewardess regarding emergency exit locations, emergency equipment and procedure The aircraft required no servicing or maintenance and there were no carry-over maintenance items reported. Takeoff gross weight was computed to be 116,520 pounds. This weight and the center of gravity (e.g.) were both within prescribed limit. Following an uneventful flight, the crew started the descent to Manhattan Municipal Airport when the observer/pilot, who was standing between the captain's and first off seats, recalled that shortly after entering the final approach he observed the propeller rpm increase approximately 100 rpm and then return to the setting of 2400 rpm, This fluctuation occurred three times. Then, following extension of full flaps, he observed the captain reduce power to approximately inches hg and almost immediately the rate of descent increased and the aircraft yawed to the right. The aircraft, was at an altitude of approximately 75 feet a.g l. when he observed the No 3 propeller reverse indicating the light 3 come on and shouted, "No. 3 is in reverse". This shouted warning was concurrent with the application of engine power and was not heard by the captain. None of the other flight crew members saw the reverse light illuminate. Persons on the ground who witnessed the accident generally agreed that the approach appeared normal until the aircraft reached a point approximately 1/3 of a mile from the airport. It was then observed to settle abruptly and contact the ground several hundred feet short of the runway. Initial impact occurred in a wheat field, 546 feet from the approach end of runway 21. At, this point the aircraft was in a right bank of approximately 15 degrees and aligned slightly to the right of the runway centerline The aircraft bounced once, then continued through the wheat field on all three landing gears until it struck an earth embankment. 3-1/2 feet high, located 176 feet from the end of the runway. This impact sheared the right main landing gear and the nose gear from the aircraft. The right wing separated from the fuselage when the aircraft contacted the end of the runway. The aircraft slid a distance of 774 feet down the runway during which time the left main landing gear failed followed by separation of the left wind. The fuselage came to rest on a heading of approximately 270 degrees, 72 feet from the right side of the runway. There were no fatalities and only one passenger was seriously injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The Board determines the probable cause of this accident was the inflight reversal of the No. 3 propeller due to a propeller power unit malfunction resulting from improper maintenance practices and inspection procedures.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell T-39A-1-NA Sabreliner at Andrews AFB

Date & Time: May 7, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
61-0644
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
265-47
YOM:
1962
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Suffered an unclear accident upon landing at Andrews AFB. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in the Sandia Mountains: 9 killed

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1963
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Andrews - March
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a secret mission from Andrews AFB to March AFB. While overflying New Mexico, he encountered severe icing conditions. A wing fell off and the aircraft crashed in the Sandia Mountain Range located northeast of Albuquerque. All nine occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed. All USAF C-47's were grounded following this accident, until the struts had been replaced.
Probable cause:
Investigations revealed that a wing's guy broke in flight, probably when the airplane was flying in an area subject to severe icing.

Crash of a Douglas C-133B-DL Cargomaster at Travis AFB: 9 killed

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1963 at 1612 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
59-0523
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Travis - Travis
MSN:
45574
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Travis AFB. After few circuits, the pilot-in-command started a new approach to runway 21L in poor weather conditions when control was lost. The airplane crashed in a huge explosion 0,8 mile short of runway threshold and was destroyed. All nine crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-8 in Millington

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1963 at 2040 LT
Operator:
Registration:
17158
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saint Louis – Millington
MSN:
43368
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach to Millington was completed by night and in poor weather conditions. On final, the pilot declared an emergency as an engine failed. As the aircraft was not properly aligned with the runway, the crew elected to make a go around. A second attempt to land was completed in thunderstorm activity when the airplane stalled, hit a pecan tree and crashed in Hill Street, just near some houses. On ground, it lost its right wing and came to rest in flames. All 33 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final.

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker at Eielson AFB: 9 killed

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
56-3597
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Eielson - Eielson
MSN:
17346
YOM:
1958
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew departed Eielson AFB, engaged in a routine refueling mission. Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the engine number one failed. The airplane banked left and crashed in a huge explosion onto several buildings. All seven crew members and two people on the ground were killed. The aircraft and two buildings (the crew rest house and a guard local) were destroyed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the engine number one at takeoff.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando at Thun Field AFB

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1963 at 1826 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N616Z
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ogden-Hill – Malmstrom – McChord – Portland – Ogden-Hill
MSN:
22590
YOM:
1942
Flight number:
VK060
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7003
Captain / Total hours on type:
1133.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2133
Copilot / Total hours on type:
300
Aircraft flight hours:
17683
Circumstances:
Zantop Air Transport, Inc., LOGAIR Flight 60-16 (VK060), a Curtiss C-40F, N616Z, crashed following an attempt to land on runway 17 at Thun Field, near Puyallup, Washington, at 1826 P.s.t., February 16, 1963. Both crew members survived the crash but were severely injured. There were no other occupants. The aircraft was destroyed by the impact and post-impact fire. An engine malfunction seven minutes after takeoff from McChord AFB, Washington, was followed by an unsuccessful attempt to feather the propeller and by intermittent overspeeding. During an attempted go-around from the landing approach the pilot lost control of the aircraft and crashed in a pasture approximately one-half tile northeast of Thun Field.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the improper handling of an emergency situation, precipitated by a mechanical malfunction, which resulted in an unsuccessful single engine go-around. A contributing factor was the failure of Radar Approach Control to provide complete, accurate airfield data to the pilot.
Final Report: