Crash of a Douglas VC-47A on Mt Lassen: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1951
Operator:
Registration:
43-48142
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
13958/25403
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While on a flight from Spokane-Fairchild Airbase, the airplane flew into the east slope of Mt Lassen, about 47 miles southeast of Redding, California. All eight crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL in Ankara: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 25, 1951
Operator:
Registration:
CBK-20
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ankara – Istanbul
MSN:
19608
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Ankara-Etimesgut Airbase, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a field located in Çakirlar Çiftligi, about 4 km north of the airfield. All six crew members were killed. Icing conditions were reported at the time of the accident.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-BK in Nassau

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1951
Operator:
Registration:
43-48144
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
MSN:
13960/25405
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances one mile south of Nassau Airport. Crew fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Consolidated P4Y-2 Privateer in Indochina: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1951
Operator:
Registration:
8.F.2
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed on approach following an engine failure. A crew member was killed, pilot Perrault.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119C-13-FA Flying Boxcar off Ashiya AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1951
Operator:
Registration:
49-0130
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
10367
YOM:
1949
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On final approach to Ashiya AFB, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea few km north of the airfield. A crew member was rescued while four other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-60-BN Stratofortress off Lajes: 16 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-62078
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
11555
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
16
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Lajes Airbase, while in initial climb, the heavy bomber went out of control and crashed into the sea few hundred yards off shore. No survivors was found among the 16 occupants who were returning home for Christmas after a three month period of training in England. The airplane was performing a flight from UK to Florida with an intermediate stop in Lajes, Azores Islands, for refueling.
Probable cause:
Loss of control shortly after rotation due to strong winds.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-65-DL near Riboux: 10 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1951 at 1945 LT
Operator:
Registration:
42-100488
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
18951
YOM:
1943
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 3,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the Sainte-Baume Mountain range, about a mile north of Riboux. The wreckage was found two days later about 30 km east of Marseille and all 10 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Cpt Peter Joseph Brylinski Jr., pilot,
2nd Lt Bernard Shephard Strongren,
1st Lt Donald Denzil Wright,
T/Sgt James R. Gallentine,
T/Sgt William I. Lawson,
T/Sgt Fred Richard Linn,
Pvt Patric Eugene O'Riley,
Maj Merton Paul Kilgore,
Cpt Harold Edward Peterson.
Passenger:
John P. Hawkins.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford T.2 in Inverness: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
V3910
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On final approach to Inverness Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located few hundred yards short of runway threshold. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47D in the San Gabriel Mountains: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1951 at 1945 LT
Operator:
Registration:
45-0931
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Norton - Long Beach
MSN:
16934/34193
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Norton AFB in San Bernardino at 1930LT on a short flight to Long Beach, carrying three passengers and two pilots. Fifteen minutes after takeoff, while cruising in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Ontario. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. The wreckage was eventually found on June 12, 1952 in an uninhabited area. It was reported that the aircraft was off the intended course at the time of the accident.
Crew:
1st Lt Willard H. Cooke Jr., pilot,
2nd Lt Collin L. Campbell, copilot.
Passengers:
Cpt William Kaitner,
T/Sgt John S. Vallery,
S/Sgt Harry E. Gideon.
Photos: www.aircraftwrecks.com

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-45-BN Superfortress in Denver: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 3, 1951 at 1120 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-61797
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
MSN:
11274
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a liaison flight when an engine failed en route. The captain decided to divert to Lowry AFB in Denver for a safe landing. Unfortunately, on final approach, the heavy bomber stalled and smashed in flames in a residential area located few hundred yards short of runway threshold. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and was destroyed by a post crash fire. Five houses were damaged and four others were destroyed. On ground, six people were injured as well as six crew members. Eight others were killed in the crash.
Crew:
Cpt James W. Shanks, pilot,
1st Lt Robert H. Snure, copilot,
T/Sgt Robert F. Jarvis, gunnery instructor, †
T/Sgt Herbert Oeser, gunnery instructor, †
Cpl Richard P. Yukob, gunnery instructor, †
Pfc James E. Snyder, gunnery instructor, †
Pfc Ronald W. Wiersma, gunnery, †
Pfc William J. Ablondi, gunnery, †
Pfc Baxter Srber, gunnery, †
Pfc John R. Servic, gunnery. †
S/Sgt William A. Zippel,
Cpl Ray E. Widner,
Pfc Teddy D. Allen,
Pfc Joe D. Wiggins.