Crash of a Stearman C-3MB into the Big Bear Lake: 3 killed
Date & Time:
Jun 18, 1933 at 1915 LT
Registration:
NC6488
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Big Bear Lake – Glendale
MSN:
185
YOM:
1928
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Harry Sweet departed Glendale on a flight to Big Bear Lake to scout filming locations. At Big Bear Lake, he was supposed to meet a friend who failed to show up, so he took off at dusk to return to Glendale. After takeoff, he made a low pass over the lake at a height of about 40 feet when the engine failed. The airplane nosed down and crashed into the lake. All three occupants were killed.
Crew:
Harry Sweet, pilot and actor.
Passengers:
Vera Williams, aka Claudette Ford, actress,
Howard Davitt, writer.
Crew:
Harry Sweet, pilot and actor.
Passengers:
Vera Williams, aka Claudette Ford, actress,
Howard Davitt, writer.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.