Military | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

On final approach to Bedford-Hanscom Field Airport, the pilot-in-command did not realize his altitude was insufficient. The four engine aircraft struck telephone poles, stalled and crashed in a boulder located 2,657 feet short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-54D-5-DC Skymaster off Las Palmas

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1962

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Registration:

7501

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

São Tomé - Las Palmas

MSN:

10664

YOM:

1945

Location:

Las Palmas-Gando (Gran Canaria)

Canary Islands

Country:

Spain

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While approaching Las Palmas-Gando Airport on a flight from São Tomé, the four engine aircraft crashed into the sea few km off shore. The crew fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Bristol 170 Freighter 31M near Liāqatpur

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1962

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 170 Freighter

Operator:

Registration:

S4414

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

13177

YOM:

1954

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the Indus Valley, in the region of Liāqatpur. The crew fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Kon Tum: 23 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1962

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Kon Tum Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames. Four passengers were injured while 23 other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Boeing SB-17G Flying Fortress in Recife

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1962

Type of aircraft:

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Operator:

Registration:

5405

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

10224

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Recife-Guararapes Airport, while climbing, the airplane stalled and crashed onto a building. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

Loss of control caused by an engine failure during initial climb.

Crash of a Douglas C-54D-15-DC Skymaster in Las Palmas: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 4, 1962 at 1626 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Registration:

T.4-3

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Sidi Ifni – Las Palmas

MSN:

22169

YOM:

1945

Location:

Las Palmas-Gando (Gran Canaria)

Canary Islands

Country:

Spain

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The approach to Las Palmas-Gando Airport was completed in strong cross winds. On touchdown, the left main gear collapsed and the airplane slid for several yards and came to rest in flames. Twenty occupants were injured while 23 others were unhurt. A passenger, Lt Col Sergio Ruipérez Escudero died in the accident.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-25-DK on Mt Puncak Jaya: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jun 28, 1962

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

X-11

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Merauke – Biak

MSN:

15865/32613

YOM:

1945

Location:

Mt Puncak Jaya

Special Region of Papua

Country:

Indonesia

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising in poor weather conditions, the airplane struck Mt Puncak Jaya (4,160 meters high) located in Papua. As the airplane failed to arrive at Biak Airport, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 8 crew members was found. The wreckage was located in 1969 on the south slope of the mountain.

Crash of a Scottish Twin Pioneer 3 in Fort Tapong

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1962

Type of aircraft:

Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer

Operator:

Registration:

FM1067

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

587

YOM:

1961

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances. All 14 occupants, among them 12 police officers, were rescued while the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar at Harlingen AFB

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1962

Type of aircraft:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Operator:

Registration:

53-8140

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

243

Location:

Harlingen-Valley Intl

Texas

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Harlingen AFB, while climbing, the aircraft caught fire. All four crew members bailed out and the airplane crashed in flames at Kings Ranch. The airplane was destroyed while all four crew members were uninjured.

Probable cause:

It was determined that one of the engine exploded just after liftoff.