Crash of a Grumman P-16A Tracker off Restinga de Marambaia

Date & Time: Sep 3, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
7014
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
743
YOM:
1958
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Santa Cruz Airbase at 0900LT on a maritime patrol flight. While flying along the coast, the crew encountered engine problems and decided to ditch the aircraft off Restinga de Marambaia. The airplane sank three minutes later and all four crew members were rescued by the crew of an Argentinian ship.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Grumman SA-16B off Alborán Island: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1969
Operator:
Registration:
AN.1-7
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Jerez de la Frontera – Jerez de la Frontera
MSN:
G-222
YOM:
1952
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While completing a maritime patrol flight over the Alborán Sea, the seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances near the Alborán Island. All seven crew members perished.

Crash of a Cessna 402A on Mt McKinley: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1969 at 1815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4524Q
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Anchorage - Kantishna
MSN:
402A-0024
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
8340
Captain / Total hours on type:
40.00
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Anchorage on a survey flight to Kantishna, taking part to a SAR mission after a helicopter was missing. On approach to Mt McKinley, the airplane went out of control and crashed onto a slope of the the mountain. The wreckage was found a day later and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft stalled in flight because de pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following findings were reported:
- Downdrafts,
- Flaps found extended to 30°,
- Wind gusting up to 20 knots.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed AC-130A Hercules at Ubon Ratchathani AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
54-1629
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ubon Ratchathani - Ubon Ratchathani
MSN:
3016
YOM:
1957
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
13
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The AC-130A gunship operated on a night time reconnaissance flight checking for enemy truck traffic. The crew noticed a convoy and were preparing to attack when their Hercules was struck by two rounds of 37 mm AAA. It was flying near Ban Tabok, 32 km SW of the A Shau Valley at an altitude of 6,500 feet. The hydraulic system failed and the flight crew were not able to used elevator trim, rudder control and autopilot. Using differential engine power the pilot managed to head to Ubon for an emergency landing. Several crew members were ordered to bail out before the landing. The Hercules crash-landed, skidding off the runway. It burst into flames when a wing was torn off after striking the barrier cable housing near the end of the runway.
Source: Chris Hobson
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Lockheed EC-121M Super Constellation into the Japan Sea: 31 killed

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1969 at 1350 LT
Operator:
Registration:
135749
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Atsuji - Atsuji
MSN:
4316
YOM:
1954
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
31
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a maritime patrol flight over the Sea of Japan, the four engine aircraft was shot down by two North Korea Air Force MiG-17. Out of control, it entered a dive and crashed into the sea some 145 km off the city of Chongjin. Few debris and two dead bodies were found floating on water and none of the 31 occupants survived the crash.
Crew:
ADR2 Louis F. Balderman,
AT1 Stephen C. Chartier,
AT1 Bernie J. Colgin,
ADR1 Ballard F. Connors Jr.,
CT3 Gary R. DuCharme,
LT John N. Dzema,
LT Dennis B. Gleason,
ATN3 Gene K. Graham,
AEC LaVerne A. Greiner,
ATR2 Dennis J. Horrigan,
ATN2 Richard H. Kincaid,
S/Sgt Hugh M. Lynch,
ADRC Marshall H. McNamara,
ATR2 Timothy H. McNeil,
CT3 John A. Miller,
LCDR James H. Overstreet,
Lt Peter P. Perrottey,
CT1 John H. Potts,
AMS3 Richard T. Prindle,
CTC Frederick A. Randall,
LTJG Joseph R. Ribar,
AT1 James Leroy Roach,
LT John H. Singer,
CTC Richard E. Smith,
CT3 Philip D. Sundby,
AT1 Richard E. Sweeney,
LTJG Robert J. Sykora,
LT Robert F. Taylor,
CT2 Stephen J. Tesmer,
LTJG Norman E. Wilkerson,
ATN3 David M. Willis.
Probable cause:
Shot down by two North Korea Air Force MiG-17.

Crash of a Grumman CS-2F-3 Tracker into the Sargasso Sea

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
1572
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
HMCS Bonaventure - HMCS Bonaventure
MSN:
DH71
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a maritime patrol flight over the Sargasso Sea and the crew was trying to get back to the HMCS Bonaventure when the crew encountered technical problems. By night, the captain elected to ditch the aircraft near the ship and all four crew members were quickly rescued while the airplane sank and was lost.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter on Stonington Island

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VP-FAM
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
395
YOM:
1960
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed on Stonington Island following an engine failure. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Lockheed P-2H Neptune into the Pacific Ocean

Date & Time: Mar 1, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
140964
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
726-7066
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to ditch the aircraft 769 km west of Guam Island. The crew of the ship SS President Cleveland was quickly on the scene and was able to evacuate all occupants. The aircraft sank and was lost.

Crash of a Grumman CS-2F-3 Tracker into the Atlantic Ocean: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
1592
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
HMCS Bonaventure - HMCS Bonaventure
MSN:
DH91
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff from HMCS Bonaventure. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed HC-130H Hercules off Batan Islands: 13 killed

Date & Time: Feb 5, 1969 at 1145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
65-0990
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Clark - Clark
MSN:
4151
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
In the morning, three USAF Lockheed HC-130H Hercules departed Clark AFB (Angeles City) on a SAR mission following the sinking of the Japanese ship christened 'Shoka Maru' which was cruising from Japan to Cambodia and sank in the Bashi Canal. While cruising at low height off the Batanes Islands, the airplane struck the top of a wave and crashed into the sea. A passenger was rescued while 13 other occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the crew was flying at an insufficient altitude and the sea was rough with 6 to 10 meters hollows.