Region
North America
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USA

Crash of a Beechcraft D18 in West Mesa: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Dayton – Albuquerque
Location:
Albuquerque
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was performing a cargo flight from Dayton to Albuquerque with one pilot, two security guards from the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and a load of 22 boxes containing 792 classified HE detonator units. On approach to Albuquerque, the pilot encountered low clouds and poor visibility when the aircraft hit the slope of a hill located 6 miles west of West Mesa. All three occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. The cargo was destroyed but salvaged from the wreckage.
Probable cause:
As there was no evidence of sabotage, and since none of the detonators appeared to be missing, the incident was not reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Crash of a Douglas C-47D in Los Angeles

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-48457
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
14273/25718
YOM:
1944
Location:
Los Angeles
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:
After touchdown, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in flames. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Galveston: 9 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
84704
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Galveston
Texas
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:
While performing a maritime patrol flight over the Gulf of Mexico, the seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances off the Texas coasts. Debris were found few days later on a beach near Galveston. All nine crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-54E-10-DO Skymaster near Raynesford: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
44-9091
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
27317
YOM:
1945
Location:
Raynesford
Montana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances 7 miles northeast of Raynesford, killing all three crew members.

Crash of a Fairchild C-82A-5-FA Packet in Selfridge AFB

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-82 Packet
Operator:
Registration:
44-22986
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
10030
YOM:
1944
Location:
Selfridge ANGB (Mt Clemens)
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was returning to Selfridge AFB after taking part to a SAR mission following the USAF C-54 missing since January 26 over Yukon. Upon landing, an undercarriage failed. The aircraft slid on its belly and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-54G-5-DO Skymaster in Kodiak

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
45-0570
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
36023
YOM:
1945
Location:
Kodiak
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Kodiak Airport, the four engine aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and plunged into the St Paul Bay. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and among the 28 occupants, six were injured.
Probable cause:
Following a wrong approach configuration, the pilot in command landed long, reducing the landing distance available.

Crash of a Boeing B-50A-10-BO Superfortress into the Choctawhatchee Bay: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-50 Superfortress
Operator:
Registration:
46-021
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Eglin - Eglin
MSN:
15741
YOM:
1947
Location:
Eglin AFB (Valparaiso)
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training sortie from Eglin AFB, Florida. En route, an engine failed, causing the aircraft to stall and crash into the Choctawhatchee Bay, about 2 miles northeast of the Okaloosa Island. Nine crew members were rescued while two other were killed.
Crew (3,200th BTS):
1st Lt Park R. Bidwell Jr, pilot,
1st Lt Vere Short, pilot,
1st Lt James S. Wigg, copilot,
Maj William C. McLaughlin, bombardier,
S/Sgt Clifford J. Gallipo,
M/Sgt Alton Howard,
M/Sgt William J. Almand,
T/Sgt Samuel G. Broke,
Cpl William F. Fitzpatrick,
M/Sgt Claude Dorman, †
S/Sgt William Thomas Bell. †
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Boeing B-50A-30-BO Superfortress in Savannah: 11 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-50 Superfortress
Operator:
Registration:
47-110
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Chatham – Biggs
MSN:
15794
YOM:
1947
Location:
Savannah
Georgia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
Five minutes after its takeoff from Chatham AFB, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a swampy area located along the Savannah River. All 11 crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cpt George V. Scaringen, pilot,
Cpt. Andrew G. Walker, pilot,
Lt Rogers Hornsby Jr.,
1st Lt Robert W. Beckman, bombardier,
Cpt Anthony C. Colandro, radar navigator,
1st Lt James W. Johnson Jr., flight engineer,
T/Sgt Leonard B. Hughes, flight engineer,
S/Sgt Fred W. Cunningham, radio operator and gunner,
S/Sgt Manson L. Gregg, gunner,
S/Sgt Garnell W. Myers, gunner,
S/Sgt Billy C. Bristol, gunner.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-7 in Oceana NAS

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
39101
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
16054/32802
YOM:
1945
Location:
Oceana NAS (Virgnia Beach)
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crash landed. No casualties.

Crash of a Boeing B-29-90-BW Superfortress in Walker AFB: 7 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Operator:
Registration:
44-87735
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
12538
YOM:
1944
Location:
Walker AFB
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
On final approach to Walker AFB, the heavy bomber went out of control and crashed in flames two miles south of the airbase. Seven crew members were killed while five others were injured.
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