United States of America

The flight left Helena at 0753LT, using Runway 29. The flight plan, amended before takeoff, specified an altitude of 10,500 feet MSL under instrument flight rules via Amber Airway number 2 to the Whitehall (Montana) Range Station and from there to the Butte Airport via Red Airway number 2. Also, before taking off, the pilot asked the Helena Tower if the Homestake Fan normally and was informed that Butte Radio advised that it was. Following takeoff from Runway 29, the aircraft was flown in a climbing right turn so that it passed approximately over the Station as it headed south toward the Whitehall Range Station. At 0801 the flight reported to Helena that it had reached its cruising altitude. This message was acknowledged. The next message from the flight was to Butte at 0814 stating that it was over Whitehall (Range Station) at 0811 and starting descent. Butte acknowledged this message, gave that flight the station altimeter setting of 29.97, advised that the wind was south, calm, and that the Weather Bureau advised what the ceiling was lower to the east and north and better to the south and southwest. Flight 115 replied that it had vertical visibility at 10,500 feet. This was the last radio contact with the flight. A search was instituted after several futile attempts to contact the aircraft. On the following morning, the wreckage was sighted from a local search aircraft at about 0900. Ground parties immediately started for the crash site. All debris were found in a snow covered wooded area and all 21 occupants were killed.

While completing a training sortie, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and was later forced to abandon the aircraft that ran out of fuel. All occupants were able to bail out and were later rescued while the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located seven miles northwest of Griffiss AFB, NY.

En route from Ogden-Hill AFB to McClellan AFB in Sacramento, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in an isolated area located in the east part of California. As the aircraft failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. In May 1951, a rescue team taking part to the search of two fishermen discovered the wreckage of the airplane into the Lake Independence, about ten miles northwest of Truckee.

Crash landed at Loring AFB. No casualties.

The crew was completing a local training mission from Randolph AFB near Seguin. In flight, while cruising in cloudy conditions, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed in a field located five miles northeast of Seguin. All eight crew members were killed. Spatial disorientation on part of the pilot in command is suspected.

Northwest Airlines' NC93037 departed from the Minneapolis- St Paul International Airport at 0946LT on a local flight. The purpose of the flight was a six-month instrument competency check of Captain John R. Galt under the supervision of Captain Ray Render, a company cheek pilot. Also on board and listed as official observers were William H Solomon, CAA air carrier agent, who was sitting on the jump seat between and immediately behind the pilots' seats, and CAA personnel from the Minneapolis Control Tower, E. Bergstrom, R. Olsen and B. Erickson, who were sitting in the main cabin. At the time of takeoff there were 800 gallons of fuel on board which resulted in a total aircraft weight of 32,943 pounds. This weight was within the allowable limit of 38,000 pounds and the aircraft was properly loaded. The weather was clear and visibility was unlimited. Following takeoff, two simulated US (Instrument landing system) approaches were made to the airport and at 1025LT the crew radioed the control tower that this phase of the check flight was completed. This was the last known contact with the flight. After departing the Minneapolis area, the aircraft was first seen near Center City, Minnesota, 43 miles northwest of Minneapolis. At this time it was making a steep left turn at an altitude estimated to he between 4,000 and 5,000 feet, and landing gear was down. At the completion of this turn a shallow climb was started. Throughout these maneuvers the engines sounded as if they were operating in a normal manner. The attention of the ground witness was then diverted for a few moments, and when he again saw the aircraft it was in a partially inverted position and starting a steep dive. After losing approximately 2,500 feet in the dive, an apparently normal recovery was made to a level flight attitude and the aircraft proceeded in a northeasterly direction. Shortly thereafter it was seen to make two or three pitching oscillations about its lateral axis. These maneuvers may he described as a series of steps made by the aircraft as it was being lowered abruptly, followed by a recovery to level flight. During each oscillation approximately 400 feet in altitude was lost and a noise was heard such as is usually associated with a surge of engine power. The aircraft continued on a northeast heading. Two miles south of Almelund, Minnesota, which is 14 miles northeast of Center City, the aircraft was seen to make a shallow right turn of approximately 270 degrees and once more to return to a level attitude heading in a northwesterly direction. Throughout the above-mentioned maneuvers, the aircraft was gradually losing altitude, and the right propeller was observed to be turning slowly during the latter part of the flight. Nearing Almelund and at an altitude of approximately 500 or 600 feet above the ground, a steep right turn was begun. Altitude was lost rapidly and after turning approximately 90 degrees, the aircraft's right wing struck the ground. All but one of the six occupants were killed at impact, the injured person died several days later without regaining consciousness. The aircraft was demolished.

An engine failed in flight. The airplane went out of control and crashed in a prairie located in the St Claire county. All four crew members were killed.

Crashed on takeoff at Columbus Southwest Airfield. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and the pilot died from burns. All three passengers were injured. Owned by John W. Galbreath, President of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the aircraft was carrying Joe Williams, New York sports columnist, Lester Scott, Director of the New York Knickerbockers of the National Basketball Association and Paul Jonas, Manager of the sports department of Mutual Broadcasting system. The aircraft was host to these three men at the Ohio State-Southern Methodist football game.

Crashed during a training flight at Wright-Patterson AFB, killing both crew members.

The crew was performing a local training sortie from NAS Whidbey Island. While cruising at an altitude of 4,000 feet, the aircraft went into a dive and crashed into the Saratoga Passage, near the Puget Sound. All seven crew members were killed. Aircraft was registered 59840 (VP-931).