Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Avalon: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Catalina Seaplanes
Registration:
N325
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
B127
YOM:
1945
Location:
Avalon (Catalina Island)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
14000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Circumstances:
While flying at low height, the pilot lost control of the seaplane that crashed into the sea few dozen yards off Avalon. Few debris were found floating on water but the pilot's body was never found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1649A Starliner in Stockton

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1649 Starliner
Operator:
Willair International Airlines
Registration:
N8081H
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Stockton - Stockton
MSN:
1026
YOM:
1958
Location:
Stockton
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Stockton Airport, California. Following several uneventful circuits, the crew initiated a new approach. On final, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the right main gear struck a blast pad located 102 feet short of the runway threshold and was torn off. The airplane partially belly landed and slid for dozen yards before coming to rest. While all 11 occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The student pilot misjudged the distance and altitude on final and the pilot-in-command failed to supervise the flight adequately.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF at Cherry Point MCAS

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-7
Operator:
Registration:
N7466
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
45090
YOM:
1956
Location:
Cherry Point MCAS (Cunningham Field)
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
14549
Captain / Total hours on type:
2461.00
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cargo flight to Cherry Point MCAS on behalf of the US Air Force. On final approach by night, the visibility was limited due to foggy conditions. The crew continued the approach below the glide until the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. All three crew members were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The accident was probably caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Improper IFR operation,
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Limited visibility due to low ceiling and fog,
- The pilot did not initiate a go-around when runway was not in sight,
- The copilot did not warn the pilot about weather minimus.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-15-DL in Teterboro

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
N64423
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
9251
YOM:
1943
Location:
Teterboro
New Jersey
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:
11345
Captain / Total hours on type:
3808.00
Aircraft flight hours:
52844
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Teterboro Airport, while climbing, the airplane stalled and crashed near the runway end. The airplane was destroyed and both pilots were injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was probably caused by an inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning on part of the crew. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- The cargo shifted during initial climb to the rear, modifying the CofG,
- The cargo was improperly secured.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 5BA in Charlotte: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Air Time
Registration:
N357G
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
04309
YOM:
1951
Location:
Charlotte-Douglas
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1784
Captain / Total hours on type:
29.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a night mail flight to Charlotte-Douglas Airport. On short final, both engines stopped simultaneously. The aircraft stalled and crashed few miles short of runway and was destroyed upon impact. Both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was probably caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Engine failure resulting in a spin during final approach,
- Inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning on part of the crew,
- Fuel exhaustion.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A on Wake Island: 11 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
Operator:
Registration:
55-3133
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Andersen - Hickam - Loring
MSN:
17249
YOM:
1957
Location:
Wake Island
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
52
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Aircraft flight hours:
6681
Circumstances:
En route from Andersen AFB (GUam Island) to Hickam, Honolulu, the crew reported engine problems and the captain decided to divert to Wake Island Airport. On short final, the aircraft was too low and struck approach lights. On impact, the empennage was torn off and the aircraft crashed in flames. Eleven passengers were killed while 45 other occupants were rescued. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine problems in flight.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 8 in Richmond: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
E.J. Benes & Company
Registration:
N6533D
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Richmond - Richmond
MSN:
04515
YOM:
1961
Location:
Richmond
Ohio
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5060
Captain / Total hours on type:
2240.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the airplane banked right then crashed in a huge explosion. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed. They were conducting a local training flight at Richmond-Cuyahoga County Airport.
Probable cause:
The accident was probably caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Engine failure or malfunction during takeoff,
- Inadequate supervision of flight,
- The crew failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- The instructor cut the right engine after liftoff and the pilote retarded wrong throttle and failed to raise the flaps.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft TC-45G Expeditor in Franklin

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Miller Aviation
Registration:
N7200C
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
AF-69
YOM:
1952
Location:
Franklin-Venango-Chess Lamberton Field
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
18000
Captain / Total hours on type:
80.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Franklin-Chess Lamberton Field Airport, while climbing, the pilot informed ground about technical problems with the left engine and decided to return for an emergency landing. He completed a 180 turn when on final, the airplane lost height, struck trees and crashed. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the partial loss of power on the left engine.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402 in Paducah

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N3259Q
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Paducah
Kentucky
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1684
Captain / Total hours on type:
210.00
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It nosed down and struck the runway surface with its propellers. Out of control, it veered off runway and came to rest in flames. The passenger was slightly injured while both pilots were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was an improper operation of flight controls on part of the pilot who failed to obtain/maintain flying speed during takeoff. An improper angle of climb allowed the props to contact the runway surface.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 1121A Jet Commander in Hollywood: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander
Operator:
Registration:
N148E
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Santa Monica - Hollywood
MSN:
1121-022
YOM:
1965
Location:
Hollywood-Burbank (Bob Hope)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
11164
Captain / Total hours on type:
6121.00
Circumstances:
While on final approach to Hollywood-Burbank Airport on a positioning flight from Santa Monica, the airplane adopted a nose-down attitude, struck power cables, hit a house and crashed in a wasteland located few miles short of runway. Both pilots and one people on the ground were killed. The aircraft was destroyed as well as several cars. A house was also damaged.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent caused by vortex turbulences from a preceding aircraft with separation of approximately 3 minutes and 15 seconds.
Final Report:
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