Crash of a Lockheed 5C Vega in Pittsburgh: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 5 Vega
Operator:
Middle States Airlines - MSA
Registration:
NC513E
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
52
YOM:
1929
Location:
Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Pittsburgh-Bettis Field, the pilot lost his orientation due to foggy conditions. He turned over the airport for almost 15 minutes when he lost control of the airplane that crashed on Pittsburgh-McKeesport Blvd located near the airfield. The pilot Harry Smith, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Lockheed 5 Vega in Clovis: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 5 Vega
Operator:
Middle States Airlines - MSA
Registration:
NC870E
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
70
YOM:
1929
Location:
Clovis
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Brand new, the aircraft was on its way to be delivered to its new owner, Middle States Airlines. On board were four employees of the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation: two pilots and two engineers. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a prairie. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane while searching for a cockpit vent cover blown from an airplane on takeoff.
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