James Joseph Mattern | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

James Joseph Mattern was performing a second attempt to cross all Russia from/to the US via Siberia. En route, he encountered unknown technical problems and was forced to make an emergency landing some 80 km from Anadyr. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and abandoned on site, and the pilot was slightly injured. This Vega was the second one of JJ Mattern and received the same registration NR869E as his first Vega that crashed in Belarus on July 6, 1932. While the first Vega NR869E had the MSN 069, the second NR869E received the MSN 118.

Probable cause:

Forced landing due to unknown technical problems.

Crash of a Lockheed 5 Vega in Borisov

Date & Time: Jul 6, 1932

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed 5 Vega

Operator:

James Joseph Mattern

Registration:

NR869E

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

YOM:

1929

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was attempting a world tour from the US via Russia. While overflying Belarus, the crew encountered unknown technical problems and attempted an emergency landing. The airplane landed hard, causing a part from the cockpit panel to separate. Control was lost and the airplane crashed. Both occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Some parts were used to built another Lockheed Vega with MSN 118.