United States of America

Western Air Lines flight 470 to Casper and Minneapolis departed Denver at 07:03 in the morning. The airplane, on an IFR flight plan, climbed to its cruising altitude of FL220. At 07:36, following a descent to 12,000 feet, the flight crew contacted Casper approach control and advised that the flight was about 12 miles south of the Evansville Intersection. At that time, the controller cleared the flight to use the localizer back course approach for runway 25, to circle to runway 3, or to land straight in. The weather reported to the crew indicated poor visibility with light snow falling and wind 040° at 9 knots. One minute later, the approach controller advised that "runway 7/25 has been plowed. There's about a 1/4-inch of powder snow on it. Braking action reported, Convair 580, as poor. Runway 3/21 is being plowed at this time." At 07:51, Flight 470 reported at the Henning Intersection and was cleared to contact the Casper Tower. The tower controller cleared the flight to land on runway 25 and gave the wind as 030° at 8 knots. The flight was also advised by the controller that a disabled snow blower was "just west of the intersection runway 21, left side runway 25, on the edge ...." At 07:41:42, the first officer called out "thousand to go to the field." At 07:42:09, the first officer called "approaching minimums," and 12 seconds later, he called "just about at minimums." The aircraft then flew level for a few moments a t the minimum descent altitude (MDA). At 07:42:25, the first officer called the runway in sight directly below the aircraft. At that time airspeed was 150 knots and the flaps were at 25°. The first office then set the flaps at 30° as the captain initiated the final descent. The aircraft crossed the threshold at reference speed +15 knots. The aircraft touched down 2,375 feet from the departure end of the runway, about 6,306 feet from the approach end of the runway. The aircraft went off the departure end of the runway to the right of the centerline. After striking several metal stanchions in the first row of terminal bar lights, which were located 200 feet off the end of the runway, the aircraft struck a shallow irrigation ditch 280 feet off the runway end. The aircraft veered farther to the right and stopped about 800 feet beyond the departure end of the runway.

Following an IFR descent to Deadhorse Airport, the crew cancelled the IFR flight plan and continued under VFR mode. During the last segment, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the right main gear struck the ground short of runway threshold and was torn off. Power was increased and decision was taken to make a go-around but the right engine failed to respond properly. The airplane stalled and belly landed, slid for 460 meters and came to rest. While both pilots were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

While taking off from runway 25 at DuBois-Jefferson County Airport, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway to the left, went down an embankment and came to rest in a wooded area. All 11 occupants were injured while the aircraft was destroyed. The pilot, inexperienced and unqualified in the DC-3, was making the takeoff with a 7-knot crosswind and with an unlocked tailwheel.

The airplane was conducting a flight from Clark AFB, Philippines, to McChord AFB with intermediate stops at Kadena AFB, Okinawa, and Yokota AFB, Tokyo, carrying 16 people among them six marines. En route to McChord, while cruising by night, the crew established contact with ATC and was cleared to descend from FL370 to FL150 then FL100. Few minutes later, after confusing the C-141 with another Navy aircraft, the air traffic controller cleared the crew to descent to 5,000 feet which was a too low altitude for the area. While descending at an altitude of 7,000 feet in limited visibility, the four engine airplane struck the slope of Mt Constance (7,756 feet high) located in the Olympic National Park, about 52 miles northwest of McChord AFB. The airplane impacted the mountain about 150 feet below the summit and caused an avalanche. Debris were found scattered on a wide area and none of the 16 occupants survived the crash.

Following an uneventful flight from Oklahoma City, the twin engine airplane landed on runway 36 at Tullahoma-Northern Regional Airport. After touchdown, it was unable to stop within the remaining distance and overran the wet runway before colliding with trees. All seven occupants escaped with various injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crashed while taking off from Anchorage-Merrill Field Airport due to an excessive accumulation of frost on wings and fuselage. There were no casualties.

While in cruising altitude between Apple Valley and Amarillo, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and limited visibility. He failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the region of Kelso. The wreckage was found four days later and both occupants were killed.

While taking off from Chicago-Palwaukee Airport, the airplane stalled, struck the ground and eventually crashed in a greenhouse. The copilot was slightly injured while the captain was killed.

While cruising by night in marginal weather conditions (low clouds), the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Carpinteria. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. The wreckage was found two days later.

While cruising by night under VFR mode, the pilot's attention diverted from operation and he failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck trees and crashed near Troy. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.