Crash of a De Havilland DH.60 Moth in Wangaratta: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A7-19
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wangaratta – Laverton
MSN:
600
YOM:
1928
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, in initial climb, the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed, bursting into flames. Second pilot F/O Herbert Warland remained trapped inside the aircraft and perished despite the efforts of first pilot Swinbourne to enter the wreckage to save his passenger, receiving severe burns in doing so. Ironically, at the time of the accident, Swinbourne was the Secretary of the Air Accidents Investigation Committee.

Crash of a Fokker C-2A in Royalton: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
26-204
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Harrisburg - Bolling AFB
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Harrisburg Airport, while climbing, one of the engine failed. The pilot elected to return when the aircraft stalled and crashed in the backyard of a residence located in Royalton, less than 2 km east from the airport. A passenger was seriously injured while seven other occupants were killed. Few hours later, the only survivor died from his injuries. The aircraft was on its way to the Bolling AFB, Washington DC.
Crew:
Henry Rosser Angell, pilot,
Passengers:
1st Henry Crowan,
1st Lt Samuel P. Jones,
Sgt Joseph B. McCarthy,
Sgt Rudolph J. Le Hutta,
Sgt Patrick Conroy,
Pvt Clarence E. Birch,
Pvt Mike D. Kelly.
Probable cause:
Engine failure shortly after takeoff.

Crash of a Dornier Do J Wal off Cape Figalo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1928
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
W-8
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Los Alcázares - Melilla
MSN:
31
YOM:
1925
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The seaplane departed the bay of Los Alcázares at 0900LT on a flight to Melilla, carrying three crew members. As the aircraft failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were initiated. Five days later, on 5 January 1929, the wreckage was found four km west of Cape Figalo, Algeria. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cdt Caulac,
Cpt Pauler +1.

Crash of a Breguet 19 in San José

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1928
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
Potosí
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Puerto Suárez – Santa Cruz
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, Major Lemaltre, was performing a solo flight from Puerto Suárez to Santa Cruz. On descent, the engine failed. He attempted to make an emergency landing when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a plantation located on a hillside, some 40 km southeast of the airport. While the pilot was injured, the aircraft named 'Potosí' was damaged beyond repair. The mishap occurred somewhere in December 1928, exact date unknown.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-1 near Kelly AFB: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1928
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
25-427
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent during which both crew members were able to bail out before the aircraft crashed in a field located 3 miles southeast of the airfield. While both crew members escaped uninjured, all six passengers were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.9 in Awans

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1928
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
D-18
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Liège-Bierset Airport, the aircraft was too low. It collided with a telegraph pole and crashed in Awans, about 3 km north of the airfield. Both occupants were injured.

Crash of a Farman F.63bis Goliath in Luzy: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1928
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pau - Mainz
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
En route from Pau to Mainz, Germany, the crew encountered unspecified problems. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted to make an emergency landing in an open field. By night and low visibility, the aircraft hit a tree and crashed in a field. All four occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.
Crew:
Cpt Raymond Labbé, pilot,
Adj/C Louis Le Bourhis, navigator,
Sgt Henri Bodin, mechanic,
Sg Marcel Picard, radio.

Crash of a Farman F.63bis Goliath in Chartres: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1928 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Châteauroux - Chartres
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a flight from Châteauroux to Chartres with four passengers and a crew of two on behalf of the 5th squadron of the 22nd regiment based in Chartres. The aircraft departed Châteauroux at 1000LT bound to Chartres. While overflying Bonneval, the right engine lost power. Rather than making an immediate safe landing in a field, the pilot decided to continue to the airport of Chartres located some 20 km north of his position. While descending to the airport, the right engine failed. Rather than making a straight-in approach, the pilot started a regulatory but not mandatory circuit south of the airport. Vertical to Saint-Chéron, the aircraft stalled and crashed on a small house where a family was eating. All six occupants on board the aircraft were uninjured. In the house, two children were unhurt while their parents were seriously injured. The father died from his injuries few hours later.
Probable cause:
It appears that the right engine failed due to fuel exhaustion. The flight was not properly prepared before departure from Châteauroux Airport. The pilot Jean-Yves Le Bail did not proceed to a preflight inspection and was not aware that the fuel quantity was insufficient.