United States of America

While on approach to Port Moller harbor, the seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea (nine miles off shore?). The wreckage was not found and all 12 occupants were presumed dead.

Crash in unknown circumstances in a prairie located near Stilwell, east Oklahoma. All 11 crew members were killed.

The approach to Chanute AFB was completed by night and very limited visibility due to foggy conditions. On final, the aircraft hit the roof's corner of a barrack, stalled and crashed on a second barrack. All 19 passengers were injured while all three crew members were killed as the cockpit was destroyed on impact.

The aircraft was part of a convoy of seven C-82's flying from Biggs AFB (El Paso) to Eglin AFB, Florida. En route, the crew encountered technical problems with an engine and the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing. He reduced his altitude, avoided trees and elected to make a belly landing in an open field. The aircraft hit a fence, slid for several yards and came to rest. A part of the fuselage was broken and four passengers were killed, a fifth was seriously injured. The aircraft was written off.

The flight departed Montreal at 1112LT and was cleared to Burlington by the Civil Aeronautics Air Route Traffic Control to proceed In accordance with visual flight rules. A message was received from the aircraft, by the Colonial radio at Burlington, indicating that it was over the Grand Isle Fan Marker, approximately 25 miles northwest of Burlington at 1135. Colonial radio acknowledged the report and transmitted the latest local weather ceiling 800 feet, visibility 1 mile in heavy rain. This report was acknowledged. Nearing the airport, light rain was encountered. The flight asked Burlington Tower for its existing traffic, and being in the approach control area, farther asked permission to make an approach from its present position. After checking with Boston Air Route Traffic Control establishing that no traffic was in the area, the aircraft was cleared to approach VFR. The windshield wipers were turned on and simultaneously wit passing over the range station at an altitude of approximately 700 feet and sighting the airport, the tower called and stated that it had the ship in sight and that the flight was cleared to land. Flight 3 previously had been informed that the surface wind was west, variable to northwest, 5 mph, and due to a heavy rain occurring east of the airport the pilot elected to use Runway 1. The aircraft headed southwest in order to widen the pattern and establish a downwind leg at a suitable distance from the runway. During the turn to final approach the flaps and landing gear were extended, and descent was made toward the airport aligned with Runway 01. The aircraft landed long and was unable to stop within the remaining runway, overran and came to rest in trees. All 17 occupants escaped slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Northwest Airlines' Flight 421 departed from Chicago for Minneapolis at 1550, August 29, 1948. On board were 33 passengers, four crew members, 800 gallons of fuel, and 1,038 pounds of baggage. Total aircraft weight was 38,015 pounds which was within the certificated limit and it was properly loaded in reference to the center of gravity. Weather information available to the flight prior to departure indicated that relatively good flying conditions existed en route with the exception of scattered rain showers and thunderstorms which were in the vicinity of La Crosse, Wisconsin and Rochester, Minnesota. Routine position reports were received from the flight as it progressed on course at Its flight plan altitude of 8,000 feet. At 1655, one hour and five minutes after takeoff from Chicago, the flight reported over La Crosse, 125 miles southeast of Minneapolis, and was at that time cleared to start an en route descent. Four minutes later, at 1659, the flight reported passing through the 7,000-foot altitude level. No indication of any trouble was contained in this transmission. This was the last word beard from the flight. Between 1645 and 1700 several persons in the vicinity of Winona, Minnesota, approximately 95 miles southeast of Minneapolis were watching a thunderstorm which was approaching from the northwest, AS the storm moved over Winona, the wind increased in intensity and considerable lightning and thunder were observed. At this time, about 1705, Flight 421 was seen flying below the overcast. As it passed over Winona, the aircraft appeared to enter the roll cloud or the leading edge of the thunderstorm at which time it was lost from view. Seconds later parts of the airplane were observed falling. It was later found that the flight had crashed approximately 4 miles northwest of Winona on a bluff on the east side of the Mississippi River. All 37 occupants were killed.

Shortly after takeoff from Barbers Point NAS, bound for Kadena via Kwajalein, the pilot informed ground that an engine failed and elected to return. ATC guided the crew to Hickam Field in Honolulu and eight minutes later, while on approach, the airplane overshot so the pilot-in-command decided to make a go around when control was lost. The airplane crashed in flames and skidded for about 600 yards before coming to rest in flames. Sixteen crew members were killed while four others were injured.

While cruising at an altitude of 7,000 feet, the aircraft collided with a USAF North American B-25J Mitchel registered 44-86870. While the pilot of the Mitchell was able to make an emergency landing, the VC-117B went out of control and crashed in a field located five miles north of Newton. All nine occupants were killed.

Shortly after takeoff from Ellsworth AFB, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion in a prairie located 5 miles north of the airfield. All 17 occupants were killed.

Shortly after a night takeoff from Roswell Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion six miles south of the airfield. Eight crew members were injured while 13 others were killed. It was reported that the aircraft may have been overloaded.
Crew killed were:
Maj Joe O. Will Jr., pilot,
Cpt Richard W. Hunsicker,
M/Sgt James L. Brewer,
Sgt Clyde N. Vanderslice,
Sgt Earl P. Boley,
Cpl Richard L. Lighthall,
Cpl Gordon E. McNeill,
Cpl Wayne O. Werkchiser,
Pfc John J. Capitan,
Pfc Maurice Harris,
Pvt Kenneth Ruohonen,
Sgt Charles R. Jackson,
Pfc Norman J. Remy.