Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Martin PBM-3S Mariner in Corpus Christi: 7 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
01728
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Corpus Christi - Corpus Christi
MSN:
01728
Location:
Corpus Christi
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
On approach, the seaplane was too low and hit a beacon and crashed. All seven crew members were killed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando in Jackson: 17 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
44-77948
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dallas – Jackson
MSN:
33344
YOM:
1945
Location:
Jackson
Mississippi
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Circumstances:
On approach to Jackson Airport, at a height of 3,000 feet, the aircraft was hit by lightning. The captain was unable to maintain the control of the aircraft that crashed in flames in a wooded area located near Oakridge Drive. A passenger survived while 17 other occupants were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Henry G. Beasley,
Pvt Clifford W. Canady,
Pvt Joe Capes Jr.,
1st Lt Edward Carnot,
Pfc Betty J. Coleman,
2nd Lt John N. Ferrier,
2nd Lt Donald E. Hiller,
Pvt Charles H . Hines,
1st Lt Elmer F. Irwin Jr.,
2nd Lt Robert A. Petty,
1st Lt Harry L. Provasco,
S/Sgt William Richards,
Cpl Willard O. Rogers,
Cpt William R. Ross.

Crash of a Lockheed 5C Vega in El Paso: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 5 Vega
Operator:
Registration:
NC48610
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
210
Location:
El Paso
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing the pilot and injuring all three passengers.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL in Fayetteville-Pope AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-100998
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Fayetteville-Pope - Fayetteville-Pope
MSN:
19461
YOM:
1944
Location:
Pope AFB (Fayetteville)
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a training mission at Fayetteville-Pope AFB, consisting of takeoffs and landings. Shortly after takeoff, during initial climb, the aircraft hit tree tops located at the end of the runway, crashed in flames and was destroyed by fire. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt Robert L. Hughes,
2nd Lt William E. Pero,
Cpl Jack A. Trussell,
Sgt Richard E. Whann.
Probable cause:
It is believed that an engine failed shortly after rotation.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DL near Cordelia: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-16383
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
McClellan – San Rafael
MSN:
20849
YOM:
1944
Location:
Cordelia
California
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:
Shortly after midnight, while cruising in low visibility, the twin engine aircraft hit a ridge and crashed in a canyon located 3,5 miles southwest of Cordelia. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Pvt Harry S. Cooper,
1st Lt Glen K. Dorsey,
1st Lt Francis E. Reagan.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Banana River NAS: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
59134
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Banana River - Banana River
MSN:
59134
Location:
Banana River NAS
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Banana River NAS, while climbing, both engines lost power. The aircraft stalled and crashed into the ocean several hundred yards off shore. Two crewmen were killed while six others were injured.
Probable cause:
Loss of power on both engines.

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

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
59204
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kaneohe - Kaneohe
MSN:
59204
Location:
Kaneohe Bay NAS
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training sortie from NAS Kaneohe. Enroute, a fire broke out on the right wing, between the right engine and the wing root. The pilot lost control of the seaplane that crashed into the sea few miles offshore. Rescue teams were on site a day later and were able to evacuate three wounded crew while nine others were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in San Francisco: 7 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
48416
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
San Francisco - San Francisco
MSN:
1778
Location:
San Francisco
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from San Francisco, while climbing, the seaplane hit a mountain slope and crashed. Two crew members were seriously injured while seven others were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed C-60A-1-LO LodeStar in Oklahoma City: 5 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-60 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
42-32182
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Oklahoma City – Kelly
MSN:
18-2202
YOM:
1942
Location:
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 03, while in initial climb at a height of 30 feet, the right engine lost power. In the mean time, undercarriage was retracted. The speed decreased, the aircraft banked left and eventually crashed in a field located half a mile from the airport. Five passengers were killed while nine other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The reason of the loss of power on the right engine was not properly determined. However, this occurred at a critical stage of the flight, just after rotation. As the crew was unable to feather the propeller, this increased drag, reduced speed and caused the aircraft to stall.
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