Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Douglas C-49J near Lone Pine: 35 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-49 (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
N15570
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Hawthorne - Burbank - Long Beach
MSN:
6320
YOM:
1943
Flight number:
HNA708
Location:
Lone Pine
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
32
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
35
Captain / Total flying hours:
16348
Captain / Total hours on type:
6000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3445
Copilot / Total hours on type:
967
Aircraft flight hours:
48274
Circumstances:
While cruising by night under VFR mode, the crew changed his route from 170° to 195° direction Palmdale as they thought flying over the valley. Shortly later, the airplane struck a ridge and crashed down the slope of Mt Whitney (11,770 feet high) located about 12,5 miles west of Lone Pine. SAR operations were quickly conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 35 occupants was found. The wreckage was located in a very hazardous area on August 8, 1969 and was not detectable till this date due to snow accumulation on the ground. The accident was unsurvivable.
Probable cause:
The deviation from the prescribed route of flight, as authorized in the company's FAA-approved operations specifications, resulting in the aircraft being operated under IFR weather conditions, in high mountainous terrain, in an area where there was a lack of radio navigation aids.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed SP-2E Neptune near El Toro MCAS: 7 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
131487
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
El Toro - El Toro
MSN:
426-5368
Location:
El Toro MCAS
California
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:
The crew was completing a local training mission at El Toro MCAS. On approach by night, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the right wing struck the top of ridge. The airplane crashed in the Harding Canyon located 7 miles northwest of the airbase. All seven crew members were killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander NU-9D in Easton: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
57-6531
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
680-371-56
YOM:
1956
Location:
Easton
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a mission from Lakehurst, NJ, when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in Easton, PA. Two crew members were killed while a third occupant was injured.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Jasper: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Visador Company
Registration:
N440VC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-416
YOM:
1968
Location:
Jasper
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
19320
Captain / Total hours on type:
120.00
Circumstances:
While cruising at low height in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft struck trees, stalled and crashed in a wooded area located near Jasper. A passenger was seriously injured while three other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees in normal cruise after the pilot continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Pilot of aircraft in the vicinity diverted to Beaumont Airport because of low ceiling and poor visibility conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Port Angeles: 10 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Registration:
N8181H
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Port Angeles – Seattle
MSN:
52-10637
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
PGT601
Location:
Port Angeles
Washington
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Captain / Total flying hours:
8358
Captain / Total hours on type:
577.00
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff from Port Angeles-Callam County Airport, the twin engine aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height then stalled and crashed in flames. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 10 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, the following findings were reported:
- Premature liftoff for unknown reason,
- Elevator trim full nose down for unknown reason,
- Weight and balance within the prescribed limits,
- It was not possible to know which pilot was at controls at the time of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Kansas City

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Orion Airways
Registration:
N44634
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kansas City – Little Rock
MSN:
A-41
YOM:
1946
Location:
Kansas City
Missouri
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1188
Captain / Total hours on type:
991.00
Circumstances:
After a night takeoff from Kansas City Airport, while on a mail flight, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height when it stalled and crashed near the runway end. Both pilots were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb caused by an inadequate preflight preparation on part of the flying crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Improperly loaded aircraft-weight and CofG,
- Frost on wings,
- Aircraft overt gross takeoff weight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing KC-97L Stratotanker in Milwaukee: 4 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker
Operator:
Registration:
52-0904
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Key West – Milwaukee
MSN:
16598
YOM:
1952
Location:
Milwaukee-General Billy Mitchell
Wisconsin
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The approach to Milwaukee-General Billy Mitchell Airport was initiated in poor weather conditions with clouds down to 200 feet and an horizontal visibility limited to half a mile. On final, the four engine aircraft was too low, struck the ground and crashed in flames half a mile short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and seven occupants were injured while four others were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed EC-121 Super Constellation at Otis AFB

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-121 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
67-21476
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Otis - Otis
MSN:
4441
YOM:
1956
Location:
Otis AFB
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training mission at Otis AFB. After landing, the four engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Boeing B-52H-175-BW Stratofortress at Minot AFB: 6 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Operator:
Registration:
61-0037
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Minot - Minot
MSN:
464464
YOM:
1960
Location:
Minot AFB
North Dakota
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Minot AFB, while climbing to a height of 200-300 feet, the airplane stalled then crashed in a huge explosion in a field located about a mile away from the airbase. The aircraft was destroyed and all six crew members were killed.
Crew:
Maj Byron D. Edmonds, pilot,
1st Lt Kenneth A. Kuhn, copilot,
Cpt Gerald J. Walla, navigator,
Cpt James C. Jiles, radar navigator,
Cpt Richard L. Jones, EWO,
T/Sgt Lee A. Gunn, gunner.
Probable cause:
Incorrect trim selection caused the aircraft to pitch up and down then to stall and crash.

Crash of a Boeing 727-22C off Los Angeles: 38 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 727-100
Operator:
Registration:
N7434U
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Los Angeles – Denver – Milwaukee
MSN:
19891/631
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
UA266
Location:
Los Angeles
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
32
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
38
Captain / Total flying hours:
13665
Captain / Total hours on type:
1908.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6642
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1842
Aircraft flight hours:
1036
Circumstances:
Boeing 727-22C N7434U operated Flight 266 from Los Angeles to Denver, CO and Milwaukee, WI. The aircraft had been operating since January 15, 1969, with the No. 3 generator inoperative. This was allowed because according to the Minimum Equipment List, the aircraft is airworthy with only two generators operable provided certain procedures are followed and electrical loads are monitored during flight. Flight 266 was scheduled to depart the gate at 17:55, but was delayed until 18:07 because of the inclement weather and loading problems. The flight commenced its takeoff roll on runway 24 at approximately 18:17. At 18:18:30 the sound of an engine fire warning bell was heard in the cockpit. The crew reported a no. 1 engine fire warning and stated that they wanted to return to the airport. Shortly after shutdown of the No. 1 engine, electrical power from the remaining generator (No. 2) was lost. Following loss of all generator power, the standby electrical system either was not activated or failed to function. Electrical power at a voltage level of approximately 50 volts was restored approximately a minute and a half after loss of the No. 2 generator. The duration of this power restoration was just 9 to 15 seconds. The Boeing descended and struck the sea 11.3 miles west of the airport. The ocean depth at this point is approximately 950 feet.
Probable cause:
The loss of attitude orientation during a night, instrument departure in which all attitude instruments were disabled by loss of electrical power. The Board has been unable to determine (a) why all generator power was lost or (b) why the standby electrical power system either was not activated or failed to function.
Final Report:
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