Crash of a Waco YKS-7 in Luspebryggan

Date & Time: Feb 10, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Waco YKS-7
Operator:
Registration:
SE-ANG
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
4603
Location:
Luspebryggan
Lappland
Country:
Sweden
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While cruising in a snowstorm, the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing in Luspebryggan. While the pilot, a Norwegian citizen operating a special mission for the British Intelligence Service, was unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Lockheed C-60A LodeStar in Mexico City: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1945 at 0600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-60 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
60-01
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
18-2539
YOM:
1943
Location:
Mexico City
Federal District of Mexico City
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew started the takeoff procedure by night and in foggy conditions. Shortly after rotation, the twin engine aircraft failed to climb properly, hit a perimeter fence and crashed in flames in a field located near the Balbuena District. Two crew members and seven passengers were killed, among them the Ambassador of Soviet Union in Mexico, Constantino Oumansky who was travelling to Costa Rica with his wife and his staff. Both survivors were the flight engineer Manuel Noble Mercado and the passenger Marión Troyinsky.
Crew:
Cpt Roque Velazco Cerón, pilot, †
Cpt Hilario Romero Martínez, pilot, †
Manuel Noble Mercado, flight engineer.
Probable cause:
According to the Mexican Authorities, the accident was caused by a wrong takeoff configuration on part of the crew that flew at a too low altitude after rotation.

Crash of a Caudron C.445 Goéland in Sétif: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Caudron C.440 Goéland
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Sétif
Sétif
Country:
Algeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances near Sétif. All four crew members were killed and both passengers were injured, one seriously.
Crew:
Adj Robert, pilot, †
Sgt Morin, †
Sgt Talre, †
Lt Marcel Lebois. †
Passengers:
Mr. Bazaincourt,
Lt Col Pierre Tassin de Sainte Pereuse.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24C Liberator II off Gibraltar: 16 killed

Date & Time: Jul 4, 1943 at 2307 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
AL523
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Gibraltar - Hendon
Location:
Gibraltar
All United Kingdom
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
The Captain Eduard Prchal, the only survivor, confirmed he received the green light from the tower and began the night take-off roll. He pulled the stick back and the aircraft started to climb. At an altitude of 150 feet, he pushed the controls of the aircraft forward to gain speed when he discovered he was unable to pull the stick back. The steering mechanism was jammed or locked. The aircraft then lost height rapidly. The Captain closed the four throttles and warned the others through the intercom "Attention, crash". The aircraft crashed into the sea 16 seconds after take off. The Captain was the only survivor as all 16 other occupants were killed, among them the Polish General and Prime Minister Władysław Sikorski, his daughter Zofia and his Chief of Staff, the Major General Tadeusz Klimecki. The crew was from the 511th Squadron.
Passengers:
Col Victor Cazalet,
Jan Gralewski,
Maj Gen Tadeusz Klimecki,
Adj Adam Kułakowski,
Zofia Leśniowska,
Walter Heathcote Lock,
Col Andrzej Marecki,
Adj Harry Pinder,
Lt Józef Ponikiewski,
Gen Władysław Sikorski
Brig John Percival Whiteley.
Probable cause:
A British Court of Inquiry convened on 7 July 1943 to investigate the crash, following the order by Air Marshal Sir John Slessor of 5 July 1943. On 25 July 1943 the Court concluded that the accident was caused by the "jamming of elevator controls" which led to the aircraft being uncontrollable after take-off. The report noted that "it has not been possible to determine how the jamming occurred" although it ruled out sabotage. Slessor was not satisfied with the report and on 28 July ordered the Court to continue its investigation to find out whether the controls were indeed jammed or not, and if they were, then for what reason. Despite further investigation the Court was unable to resolve Slessor's doubts. The Polish government refused to endorse this report because of the contradictions cited therein, and the lack of conclusive findings.

Crash of a Potez 62.1 off Rio de Janeiro

Date & Time: Jan 29, 1942 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Potez 62 (62.0 & 62.1)
Operator:
Registration:
LV-SEC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Buenos Aires
MSN:
4030/11
YOM:
1936
Location:
Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont
Rio de Janeiro
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after liftoff at Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, the airplane named 'Francisco Mendez Gonçalves' encountered difficulties to gain speed and height. It stalled and crashed into the Bay of Guanabara and sank. All 13 occupants were rescued, among them six were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the accident was the consequence of a partial collapse of undercarriage during the takeoff roll, causing a friction of the propellers with the runway surface. In such conditions, the airplane was unable to gain sufficient speed then height after liftoff.

Crash of a Caudron C.445 Goéland in Beni Belaïd

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Caudron C.440 Goéland
Operator:
Registration:
F-BAGH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Colomb-Béchar - Algiers
MSN:
8393/106.75
YOM:
1937
Location:
Beni Belaïd
Jijel
Country:
Algeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in Beni Belaïd. The crew fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Potez 662 near Valleraugue: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1941 at 1303 LT
Type of aircraft:
Potez 662
Operator:
Registration:
F-ARAY
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Algiers – Vichy
MSN:
01
YOM:
1937
Location:
Valleraugue
Gard
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane departed Algiers Airport at 0830LT on a flight to Vichy with a crew of four and three passengers on board. At 1247LT, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the crew informed ATC he wanted to divert to Marseille due to icing conditions. Sixteen minutes later, the aircraft lost altitude, hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located on the south slope of Mt Aigoual, near the Minier Pass, north of Villeraugue. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post impact fire. All seven occupants were killed, among them the French General Charles Huntziger, Chief of Ground Forces. Unique example built in 1937, the aircraft was named 'Plus est en nous'.
Crew:
Jean Lefèvre, pilot,
Cpt François Roccaboy.
Passengers:
General Charles Huntziger,
Jean Labusquière, Chief of Staff,
Captain de Royère +2.
Probable cause:
The aircraft was unable to maintain a safe altitude due to severe icing conditions.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I in Canberra: 10 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1940 at 1015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
A16-97
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Melbourne – Canberra
MSN:
414-1951
YOM:
1940
Location:
Canberra
Australian Capital Territory
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a flight from Melbourne-Moorabbin to Canberra on behalf of the Australian Government, carrying three Ministers and their staff. On final approach to Canberra in ideal weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion some 2 km short of runway. Emergency teams were promptly at the scene but nothing could be done to save the 10 occupants.
Crew:
F/L Robert Edward Hitchcock,
P/O Richard Frederick Wiesener,
Cpl John Frederick Palmer,
AC1 Charles Joseph Crosdale.
Passengers:
Brig Geoffrey Austin Street, Minister for the Army and Repatriation,
James Valentine Fairbairn, Minister for Air and Civil Aviation,
Sir Henry Somer Gullett, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Minister in charge of Scientific and Industrial Research,
Gen Sir Cyril Brudenell Bingham White, Chief of the General Staff,
Lt Col Francis Thornthwaite, Staff Officer to General White,
Richard Edwin Elford, Fairbairn's private secretary.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. Nevertheless, the Board of Inquiry found that it was most likely due to the aircraft stalling on approach, resulting in loss of control at a height that was insufficient for recovery.

Crash of a Dewoitine D.338 in Ouistreham: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 20, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Dewoitine D.338
Operator:
Registration:
F-ARTD
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
22
YOM:
1940
Location:
Ouistreham
Calvados
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While flying over the region of Caen, the three engine aircraft was mistakenly shot down by the French Flak. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a field located in Ouistreham. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and both pilots were unhurt while the radio navigator André Descamps was killed.
Probable cause:
Mistakenly shot down by the French Flak.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I in Newtonville: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1940 at 1215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
770
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Rockcliffe - Toronto
MSN:
414-1757
YOM:
1940
Location:
Newtonville
Ontario
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed RCAF Rockcliffe on a special flight to Toronto, carrying three crew members and the Minister of Defence Norman Rogers. As the flight progressed, the crew pressed on into deteriorating weather, including low ceiling and poor visibility. It is thought that the pilot was trying to locate a safe landing site near Newtonville when the starboard wing struck some trees while it was making a 45° bank turn. The Hudson impacted the ground and disintegrated, killing all four occupants.
Probable cause:
Investigation concluded that the pilot lost visual reference to the ground during a steep turn towards rising terrain without first gaining a safe altitude. A contributing factor was the fact that the Hudson had a tendency to experience some loss of control during a steep turn.
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