Crash of a Douglas C-47D in Burley

Date & Time:
Operator:
Registration:
43-49267
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
15083/26528
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a training mission when an engine failed in flight. The pilot in command elected to make an emergency landing and reduced his altitude when the aircraft hit power lines and crashed in a pasture. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47D in Lowry AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Operator:
Registration:
43-49496
Flight Type:
MSN:
15312/26757
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed in Lowry AFB while landing in poor weather conditions. At least one crew member was killed in the accident.

Crash of a Lockheed XP2V-1 Neptune in Oyster: 4 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
48238
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Patuxent River - Patuxent River
MSN:
26-1002
YOM:
1947
Location:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a test flight on this second XP2V-1 prototype. En route, an engine detached and fell off. Out of control, the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field, killing all four crew members.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in Minneapolis

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-77692
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
33088
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Minneapolis-St Paul-Wold-Chamberlain Field Airport, while climbing in poor weather conditions, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reason. The aircraft crash landed in a field and came to rest with the left engine on fire. All 31 occupants were able to vacate the cabin and there were no injuries. The aircraft christened 'The Haylift Express' was damaged beyond repair. All passengers were members of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) of the University of Minnesota.

Crash of a Douglas C-54D-5-DC Skymaster in Hartsville

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
42-72597
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
10702
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
An in flight fire forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed in a field located in Hartsville, slid for several yards and came to rest in flames. All four crew members escaped without injuries while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-45-DK in Leon Springs: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Operator:
Registration:
45-0954
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kelly - Kelly
MSN:
16957/34217
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Control was lost in flight following a structural failure. The aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located 2.5 miles east of Leon Springs. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Structural failure.

Crash of a Douglas A-26C-50-DT Invader in Wright-Patterson AFB

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-35824
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
29103
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff. No casualties.

Crash of a Boeing B-29-100-BW Superfortress near Kirtland AFB: 13 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
45-21854
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kirtland - Kirtland
MSN:
13748
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
13
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
Three minutes after takeoff from runway 08 at Kirtland AFB, while in initial climb, the heavy bomber went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion on a mountain slope located near Sandia, about 5,7 miles east of the airbase. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 13 crew members were killed. Detonators were installed in the bomb on board the aircraft. The bomb case was demolished ans some high explosive (HE) material burned in the gasoline fire. Other pieces of unburned HE were scattered throughout the wreckage. Four spare detonators in their carrying case were recovered undamaged. There were no contamination or recovery problems. The recovered components of the weapon were returned to the Atomic Energy Commission. Both the weapon and the capsule of nuclear material were on board the aircraft but the capsule was not inserted for safety reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DK in Fairfax Field

Date & Time:
Operator:
Registration:
43-48102
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
13918/25363
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an engine fire or explosion in flight, the crew was forced to divert to Fairfax Field for an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Martin JRM-3 Mars off Honolulu

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
76822
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
9266
YOM:
1946
Location:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, an engine caught fire, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing in the Ke'ehi lagoon located off Honolulu. All crew members were able to vacate the cabin and were unhurt. Unfortunately, the seaplane christened 'Marshall Mars' was destroyed by fire and several explosions and eventually sank. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine fire.