United States of America

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

13741

Location:

Lake Mead

Nevada

Country:

Region:

Boeing B-29 Superfortress

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

This version was an electronic reconnaissance aircraft used in Arctic conditions. It crashed into Lake Mead, during a research flight. The crew of five was able to scramble away before the plane sank. It has been located by sonar in 170 feet of water, largely intact except for 3 missing engines (number two, three and four). The flight was for a secret missile guidance system that allowed navigation by tracking of the Sun. A low pass over calm water with pilot error put it into the lake. The aircraft plummeted from high altitude down to as close to the lake as possible. Unfortunately, Captain Robert M. Madison lost his depth perception and plowed the huge plane into the lake at 230 mph. The impact tore off all but one of the engines and sent the plane skipping along the lake surface. When she eventually stopped, she began to take on water and started to sink. Fortunately, all of the crew was able to escape into life rafts and wait for rescue.
Source: http://www.advanceddivermagazine.com/articles/B29/B29.html

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-45-BN Superfortress at Smoky Hill AFB: 10 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

44-61713

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schilling AFB (Smoky Hill AFB), Salina

Schedule:

Smoky Hill - Smoky Hill

MSN:

11190

Location:

Kansas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Smoky Hill AFB (Schilling AFB), while on a local training flight, an engine failed. Four crew members were able to bail out before the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located two miles southeast of Smolan, about four miles south of the airbase. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and nine crew members were killed. Of the four crew members who were able to bail out, three were injured and one was killed.
Crew:
Cpt Miles C. Wagoner, †
Lt Kyle B. Bordeaux,
Lt Robert B. Pring, †
S/Sgt Arthur P. Taylor, †
Lt Miles J. Miljush, †
Cpt Donald C. Caffey, †
Cpt K. K. Spangenberg, †
Lt Donald K. Gillmor,
Lt Oliver D. Holmquist, †
Mr. Sullivan, †
Pfc L. D. Johnson, †
S/Sgt Homer J. Jones, †
S/Sgt Earl W. Reuter.

Picture of the crew just prior to takeoff. Thanks to Mitch Holmquist for his contribution.

Crash of a Douglas TA-26C Invader in Offutt AFB

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-26 Invader

Operator:

Registration:

44-34667

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Site:

Schedule:

Offutt - Offutt

MSN:

27946

Location:

Offutt AFB (Bellevue)

Nebraska

Country:

Region:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed 2 miles southwest of Offutt AFB following an engine failure. The crew fate remains unknown.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL in Greenville: 1 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

43-15282

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

19748

YOM:

1944

Location:

Greenville

North Carolina

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During a night approach to Greenville, the aircraft crashed in flames and burned. At least one crew member was killed in the accident.

Crash of a Douglas A-26B-45-DL Invader in Blythe: 3 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-26 Invader

Operator:

Registration:

44-34101

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

27380

Location:

Blythe

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

In flight, the twin engine aircraft collided with a USAF North American P-51D Mustang registered 45-11680. A crew member was able to bail out before the Invader crashed in a field, killing all three other crew members. The fate of the P-51's crew remains unknown.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-2 Neptune in Whidbey Island NAS

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed P-2 Neptune

Operator:

Registration:

39353

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Whidbey Island NAS (Ault Field)

Schedule:

Whidbey Island - Whidbey Island

MSN:

126-1053

YOM:

1947

Location:

Washington

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a training sortie at Whidbey Island NAS when an engine caught fire in flight. The pilot decided to return but was eventually forced to make an emergency landing in a field. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest in flames. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Engine fire.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6 in Mount Carmel: 43 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-6

Operator:

Registration:

NC37506

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

San Diego – Los Angeles – Chicago – New York

MSN:

42871

YOM:

1947

Flight number:

UA624

Location:

Mount Carmel

Pennsylvania

Country:

Region:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7310

Captain / Total hours on type:

30.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

3289

Copilot / Total hours on type:

129

Aircraft flight hours:

1245

Circumstances:

The airplane arrived in Chicago at 0952LT, en route from Los Angeles to New York City. At Chicago, the airplane was given a routine station inspection, serviced, loaded, and the flight departed for New York with a new crew at 1044. Aboard were 39 passengers, a crew of four, 2,568 pounds of cargo and 1,800 gallons of fuel, all properly loaded. The resulting total airplane weight was within the certificated gross weight. The airplane climbed en route to its planned altitude of 17,000 feet, proceeding on course, and at 1155 the captain reported to the company radio at LaGuardia Field, that the airplane was mechanically "okay” for a return trip. A routine report was made over Phillipsburg, PA, approximately 500 miles east of Chicago, at 1223, and at 1227 the crew made a routine acknowledgment of a clearance to descend en route to an altitude between 13,000 and 11,000 feet. Four minutes later, at 1231, the company radio operator at LaGuardia Field heard a voice which did not identify itself calling loudly and urgently. Another United crew in a DC-3, flying over the same route behind Flight 624 and at a different altitude, heard what they termed “screaming voices” calling "New York." Then, after an unintelligible transmission, “This is an emergency descent." Inasmuch as all other air carrier flights in the vicinity at this time were accounted for, this transmission undoubtedly emanated from Flight 624. The airplane was first observed by ground witnesses 31 miles northwest of the scene of the accident flying a southeasterly heading toward Shamokin, PA. The airplane flew over the Sunbury Airport, at approximately 4,000 feet above the ground on a southeasterly heading. Immediately north of Shamokin the airplane, then only 500 to 1,000 feet above the ground, described a shallow left turn. The course was toward constantly rising terrain, the hills around Sunbury being 900 feet in elevation and the hills around Shamokin being approximately 1,600 feet in elevation. Five miles east or beyond Shamokin the airplane, flying only 200 feet above the ground, entered a right climbing turn. As it passed to the north of Mount Carmel, the climbing turning attitude increased sharply. The airplane then struck a hillside at an elevation of 1,649 feet. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 43 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the incapacitation of the crew by a concentration of CO2 gas in the cockpit.
The following factors were considered as contributing:
- A fire warning caused the crew to discharge at least one bank of the CO2 fire extinguisher bottles in the forward cargo pit (the forward underfloor baggage compartment),
- Six 15-pound CO2 bottles and six discharge valves were found in the wreckage, however, both the bottles and the valves (which had become separated from their respective bottles upon impact) were so damaged that no conclusions could be drawn as to how many of such bottles had been discharged prior to impact,
- At the time of impact, the emergency cabin pressure relief valves were closed, and the control mechanism for such valves was in the closed position,
- Except for the apparent failure of the fire detection instrument referred to in finding No. 5, supra, the investigation revealed no mechanical failure of the aircraft or fire in flight,
- The emergency procedure for the operation of the DC-6 fire extinguisher system was established after flight tests were conducted in a descent configuration of 300 miles per hour, with landing gear and flaps up, no flight tests were conducted prior to the accident in a descent configuration of 160 miles per hour with gear and flaps down, which configuration was also approved for DC-6 operations,
- At the time of impact the landing gear was in the “up" position, thus indicating that the aircraft had descended in the configuration of 300 miles per hour. The extensive breakage of the aircraft precluded any positive determination as to the position of the flaps,
- After the release of CO2 gas hazardous concentrations of the gas entered into the cockpit,
- Due to the physiological and toxic effects of high concentrations of CO2 gas in the cockpit, which would probably not have occurred had the cabin pressure relief valves been open, the members of the flight crew of the aircraft were rendered physically and mentally incapable of performing their duties.
The following comment was added to the conclusion:
A fire in flight permits little opportunity for the exercise of detached and thoughtful consideration of emergency procedure. Immediate action is required if a fire is to be controlled. Too little consideration has been given to the psychological and physical limitations of crew members in time of stress and danger as related to the complexity of emergency fire procedure. It is not safe to assume that the pilot and co-pilot, under emergency pressure, will always adhere rigidly to the sequence of steps outlined in the CAA Approved Airplane Operating Manual. The possibility of human error under great mental stress is well documented in air transport experience and the design of aircraft controls, especially those of an emergency character, should take into consideration the natural limitations of human nature. These limitations argue against involved procedures applicable in emergencies. In harmony with this objective, the Douglas Aircraft Company has designed and is testing a modified fire extinguishing system which will permit all necessary steps to be executed by the movement of one control. An additional vent is also being designed to reduce CO2 concentration in the cockpit. Seven days after the Mt Carmel accident, the Director of Aviation Safety of the CAA directed telegrams to all CAA regional administrators calling attention to his telegram of June 10, 1948, referred to above, and advising that further investigation had disclosed the existence of the CO2 concentration condition found in Constellation aircraft by the Chillicothe tests in other makes of aircraft. The telegram concluded "Hence, flight crews of all aircraft should be advised to wear oxygen masks and utilize emergency cockpit smoke clearance procedures when carbon dioxide is released into any fuselage compartment from other than portable extinguishers.” All scheduled U S air carriers operating DC-6s have equipped the airplanes with demand type full face oxygen masks for the use of the crew.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DL in Eloy

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Eagle Air Freight

Registration:

NC79042

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Burbank – El Paso

MSN:

9394

YOM:

1943

Location:

Eloy

Arizona

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1843

Captain / Total hours on type:

700.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

1300

Copilot / Total hours on type:

250

Aircraft flight hours:

4823

Circumstances:

At approximately 2235, June 11, 1948, the flight departed from Burbank, California, for Fort Worth, Texas, via El Paso, Texas. Prior to takeoff a VFR2 flight plan was filed, the weather being clear. Only cargo was carried the only persons aboard being the crew, which consisted of John Dobson, pilot, and John Leslie, copilot. After departure from Burbank, the flight proceeded en route to El Paso at the specified flight plan altitude of 9,000 feet. Approximately 15 minutes after takeoff, over the vicinity of Palmdale, California, control of the aircraft was given to the copilot, and the pilot went to sleep. No trouble was experienced until 0048, at which time the copilot observed flames, deep orange in color and extending about two feet rearward, coming from under the cowl flaps around the entire circumference of the left engine. The pilot was awakened by a shout, and he immediately assumed control of the aircraft. In an attempt to control the fire the crew discharged the emergency fire bottle, cut the fuel flow to the engine, and feathered the propeller, however, the fire continued to burn intensely and the propeller did not feather. A descent for an emergency landing was started, during which the color of the flame changed to brilliant white. It appeared to the crew that the nacelle skin and the leading edge of the wing were burning. Three emergency radio transmissions from NC-79042 were intercepted by an Air Force airplane which relayed the message to Tucson Radio at 0056. To correct excessive air speed the crew reduced power to the right engine and raised the nose of the aircraft. Then the cockpit filled with smoke to the extent that the crew were unable to see the instruments. The aircraft vibrated violently, then fell into an uncontrolled spin or spiral. At approximately 4,000 feet smoke cleared from the cockpit and control of the aircraft was regained. During the descent the burning engine had fallen from the wing, and after regaining control, the crew could observe no sign of fire. Since the aircraft seemed to fly satisfactorily, a right turn towards Tucson, approximately 47 miles to the southeast, was made. In the turns however, altitude could not be maintained, and the aircraft became increasingly right-wing heavy. Accordingly it was decided to land at Eloy, Arizona, 45 miles northwest of Tucson which was observed straight ahead. Ground witnesses in Eloy saw the aircraft at a low altitude with fire in the left wing. A crash landing was made in a wheat stubble field one-fourth mile northeast of Eloy and the crew escaped through the cockpit hatch from the burning aircraft.

Probable cause:

The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was fire in flight which resulted in the loss of the left engine, and required a crash landing. The cause of the fire has not been determined. Contributing factors were the failure of the pilot to remain fully awake at all times, and failure to follow correct emergency procedures.
The following factors were considered as contributory:
- Neither the captain nor copilot was familiar with engine fire emergency procedures and failed to follow them in attempting to control the fire,
- The engine fell from the aircraft after fire weakened the supporting structure and this engine to-date has not been found.

Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46E-1-CS in Columbus: 2 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

NC59489

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Columbus-Rickenbacker (Lockbourne AFB)

Schedule:

Newark – Chicago – Denver – Burbank – San Francisco

MSN:

2938

YOM:

1945

Location:

Ohio

Country:

Region: