Crash of a Douglas C-124 Globemaster II near Bridgeport: 15 killed

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1958 at 1615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
Operator:
Registration:
52-0981
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Kelly - Tinker
MSN:
43890
YOM:
1952
Location:
Bridgeport-Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
En route from Kelly AFB to Tinker AFB, while cruising at an altitude of 6,000 feet in poor weather conditions, the four engine aircraft collided with a USAF Fairchild C-119C-17-FA Flying Boxcar. Registered 49-0195, the Flying Boxcar was en route from Sheppard AFB to Carswell AFB with a crew of three on board. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located near Bridgeport. All 18 occupants on both aircraft were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the collision was the result of an error on part of the C-119's crew who failed to respect the instructions transmitted by ATC, asking them to fly at an altitude of 7,000 feet. For undetermined reason, the crew continue his route at the insufficient altitude of 6,000 feet, crossing the track of the C-124 which was flying at the same level. Low visibility caused by poor weather conditions was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 near Myitkyina

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
HJ252
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Myitkyina
Kachin State
Country:
Myanmar
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a navigational error, while cruising in the northeast part of India, the aircraft continued over Burma. Due to fuel exhaustion, the crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane crash landed on the bank of the Irrawady River, in the region of Myitkyina, and came to rest. All occupants were rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Beechcraft AT-11B Kansan near Santos: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1958 at 1410 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan
Operator:
Registration:
100
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Florianópolis – Cumbica
Location:
Santos
São Paulo
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a flight from Florianópolis to Cumbica AFB. Weather conditions deteriorated en route and the visibility decreased due to foggy conditions when the airplane struck power cables and crashed on the slope of the Diabo Peak located in the Serra do Mar, in the region of Santos. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all six occupants have been killed.

Crash of a Fairchild R4Q-1 Flying Boxcar off Naha: 26 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1958 at 1945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
128741
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Subic Bay – Naha
MSN:
10570
YOM:
1950
Location:
Naha
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
26
Circumstances:
The crew left Subic Bay (Cubi Point NAS) bound for Naha, in formation with a reconnaissance Douglas AD-6 Skyraider registered 135350 and carrying one pilot. While approaching Naha Airport, at an altitude of 1,500 feet, both aircraft collided and crashed into the sea about 6,5 km from the airfield. All 26 occupants were killed as well as the Skyraider's pilot.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot of the Skyraider may have lost control of his aircraft following atmospheric turbulences in marginal weather conditions. Also, it is believed he failed to follow several procedures while flying in formation probably after suffering a spatial disorientation combined to an intense fatigue. Experts consider that the crew of the Flying Boxcar also have a certain part of responsibility because he failed to observe a sufficient safe distance between both aircraft and failed to prevent any possible collision. Following this accident, all crew must observe a minimum safe distance of 1,000 feet while flying in formation.

Crash of a Lockheed WV-2 Super Constellation into the Atlantic Ocean: 22 killed

Date & Time: Feb 20, 1958 at 0535 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
141310
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Argentia - Lajes
MSN:
4434
YOM:
1956
Location:
Atlantic Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a flight from Argentia-Bristol Field NAS, Newfoundland, to Lajes Airbase, Azores Islands. While flying by night about 177 km west of Crovo Island, Azores, the airplane disappeared and crashed into the ocean. SAR operations were conducted for several days but no trace of the airplane nor the 22 occupants was ever found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty.

Crash of a Douglas VC-47A on Mt Vesuvius: 16 killed

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1958 at 2224 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-93817
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Ramstein – Naples – Incirlik
MSN:
13771
YOM:
1944
Location:
Mt Vesuvius
Campania
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
Few minutes after its night takeoff from Naples-Capodichino Airport, while climbing, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Vesuvius (1,281 meters high) located about 14 km south of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 16 occupants have been killed.

Crash of a Miles M.60 Marathon at RAF Topcliffe

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Miles M.60 Marathon
Operator:
Registration:
XA268
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Topcliffe - Topcliffe
MSN:
121
YOM:
1950
Location:
Topcliffe AFB
North Yorkshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crash landed at RAF Topcliffe for unknown reason. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Blackburn B-101 Beverley C.1 at Beihan: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 4, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Blackburn B-101 Beverley
Operator:
Registration:
XH118
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Beihan al-Qasab – Aden
MSN:
1024
YOM:
1956
Location:
Beihan
Shabwah (شبوة)
Country:
Yemen
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Few minutes after departure from Beihan al-Qasab Airport, the engine number one failed. The captain decided to return for a safe landing when, few seconds later, the engine number two failed as well. Power was increased on engines number three and four and the landing was completed at an indicated speed of 15 knots above the normal landing speed. After touchdown, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and struck a sand dune. Upon impact, it overturned and came to rest upside down. A crew member was killed while all other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the engine number one and two due to a fuel exhaustion. It was reported that the crew failed to prepare the flight according to procedure and the fuel tanks were near empty at the time of the accident.

Crash of a Douglas C-118A Liftmaster in Norwalk: 42 killed

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1958 at 1913 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-118 Liftmaster
Operator:
Registration:
53-3277
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Long Beach – McGuire
MSN:
44648
YOM:
1955
Flight number:
USAF30W/02
Location:
Norwalk
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
35
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
42
Captain / Total flying hours:
7819
Captain / Total hours on type:
1448.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
701
Copilot / Total hours on type:
439
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Long Beach Airport at 1908LT bound for McGuire AFB, New Jersey, with 35 passengers and a crew of six on board. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot was cleared to climb to the assigned altitude of 17,000 feet. About five minutes later, while climbing to an altitude of 3,000 feet, the airplane collided with a USN Lockheed P2V-5F Neptune registered 127723. Carrying eight crew members, the Neptune has taken off from Los Alamitos NAS and was completing a local training mission. Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in Norwalk. The Liftmaster crashed on several building and a fuel station, killing all 41 occupants and one woman on the ground. The Neptune crashed in a stone-pit located about 2.5 miles north of the C-118 crash site. Six crew members were killed while two others were seriously injured. The accident occurred by night but in good weather conditions with a visibility above 15 miles.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the collision occurred in an uncontrolled area. Both crews were considered as co-responsible of the accident as they failed to take the appropriate measures to avoid each other and to pay attention to potential traffic. The crew of the C-118 was blamed not giving the priority to the Neptune which was flying to his right.

Crash of a Convair R3Y-2 Tradewind off Alameda NAS

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Convair R3Y Tradewind
Operator:
Registration:
128446
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Honolulu - Alameda
Location:
Alameda NAS (Oakland)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On a flight from Honolulu (Keehi lagoon) to Alameda NAS, the propeller detached from the engine number one and struck the fuselage, causing vibrations. The crew continued the flight to Alameda NAS and while landing on breakwater, the airplane crash landed and sank. All 21 occupants were rescued but the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Loss of a propeller blade in flight.
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