Crash of a Douglas C-47B-20-DK near Calhan

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-49782
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
15598/27043
YOM:
1945
Location:
Calhan
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances two miles north of Calhan. Occupant fate unknown.

Crash of a Consolidated PA-10 Catalina in Marabá: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1953 at 0740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
6500
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1059
Location:
Marabá
Pará
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
One minute after takeoff from Marabá, the aircraft crashed near a fuel depot located along the Rio Tocantins. Four crew members were killed, a fifth was rescued.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune in Hamilton

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
128389
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Hamilton – Quonset Point
MSN:
426-5235
Location:
Hamilton
All Bermuda
Country:
Bermuda
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff from Kindley Field in Hamilton, the airplane stalled and crashed in the Hamilton's harbor. All eight crew members were rescued while the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
The stall was caused by a tail plane trimming device being stuck.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in Aqaba

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Vickers Valetta
Operator:
Registration:
VW804
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
365
YOM:
8
Location:
Aqaba
Aqaba
Country:
Jordan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While completing a mission over the region of Aqaba, an engine failed in flight. The captain decided to divert to Aqaba for a safe landing but landed on the wrong runway (too short) referring to the wind component. After touchdown, the aircraft encountered difficulties to stop. The captain raised the landing gear, causing the aircraft to sink on its belly. It slid for several yards, overran and came to rest in a sandy area past the runway end. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune off Keflavik: 9 killed

Date & Time: Oct 9, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
124901
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Keflavik
Southern Peninsula (Suðurnes)
Country:
Iceland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Keflavik, bound for the east coast of the US, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea about 80 km off shore. All nine crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the loss of control was caused by an engine failure during climb.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster in Greenwood AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 9, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Avro 683 Lancaster
Operator:
Registration:
FM115
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Greenwood AFB
Nova Scotia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Greenwood AFB, while in initial climb, the airplane went out of control and crashed, killing all five crew members.
Crew:
Lac Ronald Floyd Green,
Cpl Frederick John Nunez Cardoso,
Cpl Joseph Louis Adelard Gaston Guérin,
F/Sgt Henry Robert Klang,
F/O Robert Alexander Pègues.

Crash of a North American B-25J Mitchell in Pine Mountain: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1953 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
44-86779
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Eglin – Andrews
MSN:
108-47533
YOM:
1944
Location:
Pine Mountain
Georgia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Eglin AFB, Florida, at 0830LT bound for Andrews AFB, Maryland. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane deviated from the prescribed flight plan for unknown reason. About an hour later, while cruising at an altitude of 1,340 feet in rainy conditions, the aircraft crashed in the Franklin Delano Roosevelt State Park located southeast of Pine Mountain. A crew member was seriously injured while five others were killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor and it was reported that the crew was flying under VFR.
Crew:
Cpt Stephen A. Clisham, pilot, †
Cpt Virgil G. Harris, copilot, †
T/Sgt Othelier B. Hoke, †
A3c Robert W. Davidson, †
A2c Benny J. Shepard, †
Richard K. Schmidt.

Crash of a De Havilland L-20A Beaver in Highland Falls: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1953
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Registration:
51-16559
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
365
YOM:
1952
Location:
Highland Falls
New York
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
Circumstances:
The pilot was killed when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in Highland Falls.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-40-DL near Mantet: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-24067
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
9929
YOM:
1943
Location:
Mantet
Pyrénées-Orientales
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances on the slope of a mountain at the altitude of 2,270 meters near the village of Mantet. All four crew members were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide in the Glendun Mountains: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1953
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Operator:
Registration:
NF861
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Stretton – Eglinton
MSN:
6732
YOM:
1944
Location:
Glendun Mountains
Antrim
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
In flight, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the Glendun Mountain Range, Antrim. While the pilot Lt A. G. Cronin was injured, the radio operator H. Charlesworth was killed.
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