Crash of a Morane-Saulnier M.S.760 Paris IA in Mendoza: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Morane-Saulnier M.S.760 Paris
Operator:
Registration:
E-203
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
A-07
YOM:
1959
Location:
Mendoza
Mendoza
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing both pilots.

Crash of a Douglas C-118A Liftmaster into the Trinity Bay: 23 killed

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1961 at 0330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-118 Liftmaster
Operator:
Registration:
51-17626
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kenitra – Lajes – Argentia – Norfolk
MSN:
43670
YOM:
1952
Location:
Trinity Bay
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
While approaching Argentia-Bristol Field by night, the four engine aircraft crashed into the Trinity Bay about 50 km northeast of Argentia. In the early morning, few debris were found floating on water and all 23 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed the aircraft disintegrated in the air, maybe following a major technical issue. Nevertheless, due to the lack of evidence, it was not possible to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Crash of a Boeing B-52G-95-BW Stratofortress near Seymour Johnson AFB: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1961 at 1230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Operator:
Registration:
58-0187
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Seymour Johnson - Seymour Johnson
MSN:
464255
YOM:
1958
Location:
Seymour Johnson AFB
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
A fuel leak occurred in the right wing while cruising at high altitude. The crew decided to divert to Seymour Johnson AFB for a safe landing but on final, the right wing detached. The airplane crashed in a huge explosion in a field located 12 miles from the runway threshold. Three crew members were killed while five others were injured. The aircraft was carrying two Mark 39 thermonuclear bombs that were later recovered. In 2013, documents and information relating this story were declassified by the US Government.
Crew:
Maj Walter S. Tulloch, pilot,
Cpt Richard W. Hardin, copilot,
Maj Eugene Shelton, radio navigator, †
Cpt Paul E. Brown, navigator,
1st Lt William H. Wilson, Electronics Warfare Officer
Maj Eugene H. Richards, Electronics Warfare Instructor, †
1st Lt Adam C. Mattocks, pilot,
T/Sgt Francis R. Barnish, air gunner. †
Probable cause:
Fuel leak in flight.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Sam Neua

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-51190
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Sam Neua
Houaphan Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The landing at Sam Neua-Nathong Airport (the runway is 1,000 meters long and located at an altitude of 1,100 meters) was completed with a tailwind component. After touchdown, the pilot realized he would not be able to stop within the remaining distance so he decided to veer off runway to avoid to crash in a ravine located past the runway end. Doing so, the airplane came to rest in a terrace rice field and was damaged beyond repair. There were no injuries among the occupants.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings C.2 in Nairobi

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings
Operator:
Registration:
WJ342
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
143
YOM:
1952
Location:
Nairobi-Eastleigh (Moi Air Base)
Nairobi City District
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff run at Nairobi-Eastleigh Airport, an engine failed. The crew decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and attempted an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas SC-54D Skyraider in Bilbao

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skyraider
Operator:
Registration:
42-72566
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
10671
YOM:
1945
Location:
Bilbao-Sondica
Basque Country
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Bilbao-Sondica Airport, the four engine airplane encountered difficulties. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest few dozen yards farther. There were no injuries among the occupants while the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Casa 2.111 of Palma de Majorca: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 15, 1961 at 1940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Casa 2.111
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Palma de Majorca – Albacete
Location:
Palma de Mallorca
Balearic Islands
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
About ten minutes after takeoff from Palma de Majorca Airport, while climbing by night, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea few km off shore. No trace of the aircraft nor the four crew members was found.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar at Fort Campbell AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 15, 1961 at 1925 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
51-2639
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kelly - Fort Campbell
MSN:
10628
YOM:
1951
Location:
Fort Campbell AFB
Kentucky
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While approaching Fort Campbell AFB following an uneventful flight from Kelly AFB, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane crashed onto a hill located 3,9 miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-124C Globemaster II at Spangdahlem AFB

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
Operator:
Registration:
52-0969
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
43878
YOM:
1952
Location:
Spangdahlem AFB
Rhineland-Palatinate
Country:
Germany
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Spangdahlem AFB, the four engine aircraft was too low, hi trees, lost height and crashed onto the runway. All 15 occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It is reported the accident was the consequence of a wrong altimeter setting.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Puerto Belgrano NAS

Date & Time: Jan 4, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
2-P-206
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
11481
Location:
Puerto Belgrano NAS
Buenos Aires province
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed into the Bahía Blanca shortly after takeoff from Puerto Belgrano NAS. All 10 crew members were rescued while the seaplane was written off.
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