Crash of a Boeing B-17G-105-VE Flying Fortress in the US

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Aircraft Specialties Company
Registration:
N621L
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
MSN:
8683
YOM:
1942
Flight number:
Tanker 64
Location:
United States of America
All United States of America
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in the US in July 1975, exact date unknown. Crew fate unknown.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation in Mesa: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 1975 at 1640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Aircraft Specialties Company
Registration:
N45516
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mesa - Kansas City
MSN:
4840
YOM:
1958
Location:
Mesa-Falcon Field
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
12300
Captain / Total hours on type:
170.00
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, all four engines lost power. The captain attempted an emergency landing in a desert area when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames few miles from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire and all six occupants were killed. They were on their way to Kansas City to deliver the aircraft.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot-in-command. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate supervision of flight,
- Collision with trees,
- Engine structure and powerplant denotation,
- High obstructions,
- Overheated,
- Ran out of ADI fluid,
- All engines damaged internally.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed PV-2D Harpoon in Addison

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1975 at 1534 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Harpoon
Operator:
Aircraft Specialties Company
Registration:
N230Z
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Addison - Addison
MSN:
15-1603
YOM:
1945
Location:
Addison
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2178
Captain / Total hours on type:
199.00
Circumstances:
Following a fire control mission, the crew was returning to Addison Airport. On final approach, a malfunction on the left engine forced the crew to feather its propeller when control was lost. The airplane banked left and crashed about 300 yards short of runway threshold. Both pilots were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Stalled on final approach after the crew failed to follow the approved procedures and failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Poorly planned approach,
- The pilot feathered the left propeller due to low level engine oil, proved to be erroneous.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing B-17G-110-VE Flying Fortress in Eureka: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1973 at 1915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Aircraft Specialties Company
Registration:
N620L
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Elko - Elko
MSN:
8749
YOM:
1942
Flight number:
Tanker 54
Location:
Eureka
Nevada
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
11300
Captain / Total hours on type:
59.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Elko Airport in the early evening on a fire fighting mission in the region of Eureka. While flying at low height, the pilot-in-command initiated a sharp turn when control was lost. The airplane crashed in a hilly terrain and was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed. The following factors were reported:
- Downdrafts, updrafts,
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Downwind,
- Low altitude steep turn downwind over down slope side of mountain,
- Dry run over fire line,
- Full load,
- Wind gusty.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation in Casey: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1973 at 0710 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Aircraft Specialties Company
Registration:
N173W
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Spraying (Agricultural)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Casey - Casey
MSN:
4674
YOM:
1957
Location:
Casey
Quebec
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
6050
Aircraft flight hours:
18624
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a local spraying mission, carrying a crew of three and a load of 3,666 gallons of insecticides. After takeoff from runway 23, while in initial climb, the airplane entered a flat attitude then descended until it struck trees and crashed in flames about 3 km southwest of the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire and all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Investigations determined that the flaps were retracted at the time of the accident while the aircraft was flying at a relative low speed during initial climb. It is believed that this was likely a result of a premature retraction of the flaps on part of the flying crew below the minimum altitude of 500 feet, resulting in a loss of altitude.
Final Report:
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