United States of America

Flight UA553 departed Washington-National Airport at 1250LT for Omaha with an intermediate stop at Chicago-Midway Airport. Chicago ARTCC cleared the crew to descend to 4000 feet and the flight was given vectors for a Midway Airport runway 31L localizer course. At 14:19 the flight was transferred to Chicago Approach Control which later requested UA553 to slow down to 180 knots and later down to 160 knots. After issuing a descent clearance down to 2000 feet at 14:23 the controller requested the flight to slow down to approach speed because of separation between UA553 and a preceding Aero Commander. At 14:24 the Aero Commander passed the Outer Marker and was cleared to land on runway 31L. Two minutes later UA553 passed the Outer Marker inbound. Then, at 14:27:04 the air traffic controller decided to issue a missed approach clearance: "United 553 execute a missed approach make a left turn to a heading of 180 climb to 2000". At the same time, having just reached 1000 feet, the stick shaker suddenly activated. Full power was applied and the gear was retracted in an attempt to execute a missed approach. The Boeing continued to descend however, attaining a high nose up attitude (of at least 30deg, according to some survivors). The aircraft then clipped a tree and impacted trees, houses, utility pole cables and garages before coming to rest. Post crash fire destroyed part of the fuselage.

The Hercules was engaged in a local training flight and was supposed, as a target, to be intercepted by the pilot of a USAF Convair F-102A Delta Dagger registered 56-1517. In unclear circumstances, both aircraft collided, dove into the ground and crashed, killing all 13 occupants. It is believed the collision was the consequence of poor judgement and lack of coordination between both crews.

On approach to Tucumcari Airport, the crew failed to realize he was misaligned with runway 26 due to limited visibility caused by night and low ceiling. On short final, the airplane struck the ground and crashed 471 feet left of the runway and 100 feet west of runway threshold. Both pilots and three passengers were killed while six other occupants were injured.

On approach to Minneapolis-St Paul Airport by night, both engines failed simultaneously due to fuel exhaustion. The airplane stalled then crashed onto two houses located few miles short of runway. The aircraft and both houses were destroyed and both occupants on board the aircraft were killed while there was no casualties on the ground.

The twin engine airplane was engaged in a drug smuggling flight from San Luis, Mexico, carrying marijuana. While approaching Searchlight by night, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck power cables 2,5 miles short of runway. After impact, the airplane lost height and crashed in flames. All three occupants were killed.

While in cruising altitude, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in an open field located in Alcolu. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

While completing a last turn in an attempt to land on a road, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was involved in an illegal smuggling flight, carrying a load of narcotics.

While cruising by night in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, spiraled to the ground and crashed in an open field located near Elkton. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 11 occupants were killed.

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local training flight at Anchorage-Intl Airport. On final, smoke spread in the cabin. The single engine airplane lost height, struck a dirt bank and crashed in flames near the runway threshold. while the pilot escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Two minutes after takeoff from Dallas-White Rock Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane nosed down then crashed in flames between two rows of houses located in the district of Alley. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both occupants were killed.