Crash of a Beechcraft C-45F Expeditor in Erding AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-47712
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
8120
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Erding AFB, killing all four occupants.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dominie near RAF Boscombe Down: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 31, 1948
Operator:
Registration:
NR753
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
6841
YOM:
1945
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While cruising in the vicinity of the RAF Boscombe Down, the twin engine aircraft collided in unknown circumstances with a RAF Avro 652 Anson registered NL248. The Dominie went out of control and crashed in a prairie while the pilot of the Anson was able to land safely. All three crew members on board the Dominie were killed.
Crew:
F/O Ashley James Greer,
Peter J. Bartlett,
Peter C. Damon.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46 in Latrun: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 23, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RX-136
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Žatec - Ekron
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Žatec, Czech Republic, to the airbase of Ekron-Tel Nof, carrying a load of bombs and a Czech fighter aircraft. While descending to Ekron, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and the captain decided to divert to Tel Aviv-Sde Dov Airport. On final approach, the aircraft was hit by gun fire. In such conditions, the captain increased power and started a go around to leave the area. Few minutes later, while cruising a low height in reduced visibility, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located south of Latrun. Both pilots were rescued while the navigator was killed. It was later confirmed by the authorities that the soldiers in place in Tel Aviv Airport opened fire on the aircraft as they have not been informed that an aircraft would land.

Crash of a Martin 187 Baltimore in Guidonia: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 18, 1948 at 1215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Guidonia – Frosinone
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed shortly after takeoff from Guidonia. A crew member (observer) was killed while four others were injured.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-35-BN Superfortress near Nairyah: 9 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-61510
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
10987
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Following an engine failure, went out of control and crashed in a desert area located near Nairyah. All nine crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina off Long Island: 12 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1948 at 0300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
64015
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Roosevelt Roads - Key West
Country:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
Crashed into the sea off Long Island, Bahamas, while performing a night flight from Roosevelt Roads NAS (Ceiba, Porto Rico) to Key West. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found.

Crash of a Curtiss R5C-1 Commando off Qingdao

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
39535
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
26753
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea some 5 km off Qingdao. All occupants were rescued while the aircraft was recovered nine hours later but written off.

Ground accident of an Avro 652 Anson XI in Vienna

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PH602
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taxiing, the twin engine aircraft swung due to heavy winds, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Avro 694 Lincoln B.2 in Verquières: 11 killed

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RF474
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Northolt – Luqa
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
Prior to departure, the crew was briefed about the poor weather conditions in south of France and that he should avoid this area. While cruising southeast of Avignon, the aircraft went through a low pressure zone with cumulonimbus. It encountered severe turbulences, lost two engines and its tail, went into a dive and crashed in a field in Verquières. All 11 occupants were killed. It appears that few elements of the aircraft broke off due to severe turbulences that exceeded their certification.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-2 Neptune off Quonset Point NAS

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
39325
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
126-1025
YOM:
1947
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Quonset Point NAS, both engines failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea few miles off shore. All eight crew members were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion.