Crash of a Douglas C-47A-DL at RAF Bentwaters

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1963
Operator:
Registration:
43-30655
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bentwaters - Bentwaters
MSN:
13806
YOM:
1944
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew (three engineers) were engaged in a series of ground tests. While rolling at high speed on a taxiway, control was lost. The airplane veered off taxiway to the left and eventually collided with trees. The airplane was damaged beyond repair while all three occupants were uninjured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew failed to prepare the mission properly and forgot to remove the rudder lock prior to start the tests manoeuvres.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-104B in Moscow: 11 killed

Date & Time: Oct 25, 1962 at 1033 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-42495
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Moscow - Moscow
MSN:
0 2 17 03
YOM:
13
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Aircraft flight hours:
1966
Aircraft flight cycles:
881
Circumstances:
The aircraft was involved in a post-maintenance test flight and was carrying six technicians and five crew members. Following a normal takeoff roll of 1,550 - 1,600 meters on runway 25, the pilot completed the rotation and a normal initial climb. Following a distance of 800 meters and once the aircraft reached the altitude of 175 meters, it banked left to an angle of 90°, went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion in a wooded area near the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the consequence of an error on part of the technicians who failed to reconnected the rudder control system according to the manufacturer procedures. It was reported that the system was cross-connected by mistake, causing the aircraft to be uncontrollable.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DK in Montevideo: 10 killed

Date & Time: Oct 9, 1962 at 1514 LT
Operator:
Registration:
CX-AGE
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Montevideo - Montevideo
MSN:
12113
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Captain / Total flying hours:
6380
Captain / Total hours on type:
5781.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1714
Aircraft flight hours:
5000
Circumstances:
The aircraft was undergoing the final flight test required for issuance of its Certificate of Airworthiness. It was to be a visual, local flight lasting about 1 hr 30 min. The takeoff run began at 15:14 hours, 200 m from the threshold of runway 23. This meant that 1900 m of the runway remained for the takeoff. The aircraft rose to a height which could not be determined but could not have been less than 5 m or more than 15 m. About 30 seconds after the commencement of the manoeuvre its right wing grazed the surface of the runway several times. During the later contacts the landing gear bounced off the ground with such force that the right tire burst and the landing gear leg broke causing the axle and propeller to hit the ground while the right engine was turning at almost full power. The aircraft again bounced into the air rolled over completely and finally came to rest upside down. Between the time the aircraft bounced into the air and the moment it finally came to rest, the pilot turned the power off completely. This was proved by an inspection of the condition and final positions of both propellers and the engine control switches, which were in the "off" position. Fire broke out for reasons that could not be precisely ascertained. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 10 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was attributed to a maintenance error, which was not noticed by the airline inspectors and the inspector from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. This was followed by an omission on the part of the pilot.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DL in Cochabamba: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 21, 1962
Operator:
Registration:
CP-536
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cochabamba - Cochabamba
MSN:
20619
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a local test flight following a 6 months maintenance period and was carrying nine technicians and three pilots. After takeoff, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed. Four occupants were killed while eight others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Breguet Bre.1150 Atlantic in Revel: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1962 at 1730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
22.F.2
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nîmes - Nîmes
MSN:
02
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew departed Nîmes-Garons Airbase for a tests flight. En route, the airplane exploded in mid-air and crashed in a field located in Revel. Debris scattered on a wide area and all three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in Dallas: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1962 at 1625 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N3588
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dallas - Dallas
MSN:
20178
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Aircraft flight hours:
11996
Circumstances:
Following a major overhaul on engine, a test flight was schedule out from Dallas-Love Field Airport. Two mechanics and the maintenance manager took off at 1625 and while climbing to a height of 300 feet, the aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the maintenance manager was piloting at the time of the accident and he was not raited and hold a private license only. Also, both mechanics were not qualified on type. The aircraft stalled because the climb speed was insufficient.
The following factors were considered as contributing:
- The pilot in command exercised poor judgment,
- Inadequate supervision of flight crew,
- Pilot lack of proficiency and qualification on type,
- The 'pilot' superior approved the flight.

Crash of a Howard Super Ventura in Bandera: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1962
Operator:
Registration:
N5399N
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
5277
YOM:
1943
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local test flight when control was lost. The airplane crashed in a field located in Bandera, Texas. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Beriev BE-12 off Zhdanov: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1961 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
12 red
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
01 01
YOM:
30
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a test flight on this seaplane that was built 30 June 1960 and should be delivered to the Soviet Navy shortly. In flight, the right engine was voluntarily shut down in accordance with the test program. Shortly later, the crew mistakenly shut down the left engine and forgot to feather the propeller. Due to high drag and lost of thrust, the airplane lost height and eventually stalled before crashing into the Azov sea off Zhdanov. Two crew members were rescued while three others were killed.
Probable cause:
Crew error.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18V in Lukhovitsy

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1961 at 1740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-75766
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lukhovitsy - Lukhovitsy
MSN:
181003405
YOM:
1960
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
15
Aircraft flight cycles:
8
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local test flight at Lukhovitsy-Tretyakovo Airport. While completing a third turn on approach, the crew activated the feathering system on the engine number two. Shortly later, while an altitude of 80-100 meters, the airplane banked left, lost height and speed, stalled and struck the ground. On impact, the undercarriage were sheared off and the airplane slid for dozen yards before coming to rest with its left wing broken. All six crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on final approach due to loss of thrust on engine number one after the propeller went into autorotation, causing negative thrust.

Crash of a Lockheed RC-121C Super Constellation near Marysville: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1961
Operator:
Registration:
51-3842
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
McClellan - McClellan
MSN:
4118
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances ten miles of Marysville while completing a test flight out from McClellan AFB. All six crew members were killed.