Crash of a Boeing KB-50J in Thailand: 11 killed

Date & Time: Oct 14, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
48-065
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
15874
YOM:
1948
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a supply mission over Laos. Apparently, an engine failed en route, forcing the crew to bail out. The airplane dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion about 230 km northeast of Bangkok. All six crew members were found alive while 11 people on the ground were killed.

Crash of a Boeing KB-50D-125-BO Stratofortress near Fukushima: 7 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
49-0377
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Misawa - Yokota
MSN:
16153
YOM:
1949
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on its way from Misawa AFB to Yokota AFB with 11 crew members on board. Following an uneventful refuelling mission, something went wrong and the airplane went out of control. Four crew members were able to bail out before the aircraft crashed in a mountainous area located in the region of Fukushima. The seven crew members who remained in the cabin were killed.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-19-FA Provider in Gia Vuc

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
56-4383
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Gia Vuc - Gia Vuc
MSN:
20267
YOM:
1956
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane was returning to Gia Vuc following a flare dropping mission. After touchdown, it went out of control, veered of runway and eventually collided with barracks. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the reverse pitch mechanism on one engine after landing.

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker in the Death Valley National Park: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 8, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
60-0340
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Larson - Larson
MSN:
18115
YOM:
1961
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The KC-135 was engaged in a refueling mission out from Larson AFB, Washington, and was carrying a crew of four. At an altitude of 26,000 feet, following a successful refueling mission of a USAF Republic F-105D-15-RE Thunderchief registered 61-0091, the crew of the KC-135 attempted to leave the area and the pilot-in-command made a turn to the right when the engine number four struck the cockpit window of the Thunderchief. Out of control, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a mountainous area located in the Death Valley National Park. All four crew members on board the KC-135 as well as the pilot of the Thunderchief were killed.
KC-135 crew:
Cpt Thomas F. Dozier, pilot,
1st Lt Erwin W. Boelter Jr., copilot,
1st Lt Ronald D. Williams, navigator,
S/Sgt Robert J. Graves, boom operator.
Thunderchief pilot:
Cpt Leonard F. Reynolds.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the midair collision remains unclear.

Crash of a Boeing KC-97G-29-DO Stratotanker off Hamilton: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
52-2773
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hamilton - Hamilton
MSN:
16804
YOM:
1952
Country:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
On 29 June 1964, a Douglas HC-54 (serial number 42-72590, of the USAF 57th Air Rescue Squadron) and a Boeing HC-97 (serial number 52-2773, USAF 55th Air Rescue Squadron) were involved in an aerial photography mission near Kindley Air Base, Bermuda. To support the NASA Gemini program, it was necessary to train pararescue personnel in the delivery and installation of flotation collars on the Gemini' space capsule. This required placing personnel performing temporary duty at Bermuda where water jumps were to be conducted. In conjunction with this training, a requirement existed to support preparation of a film concerning the "pararescue" mission. Since the two requirements appeared compatible, they were combined into one mission. The HC-97 took off at 11:05 local time, and the HC-54 took off at 11:10. The weather was 2,000 feet scattered clouds, 2,500 feet scattered clouds, visibility 9 miles, and winds variable at 8 knots. Both aircraft arrived in the drop area and because of the clouds, decided to fly the mission at 1,700 feet (below the clouds). Aboard each aircraft were, photographers and pararescuemen. There were also photographers aboard the boats in the drop area to photograph the drop from the surface. As they had briefed before the flight the aircraft established themselves in proper positions. The first run had the HC-97 taking photos as the HC-54 (which was slightly forward and below) began deploying the pararescuemen. Right-hand patterns were flown, and photos were to be shot with the sun behind the cameras, and at an angle that would not reveal any of the land surface in the photos. After a few passes over the drop area with the pararescuemen being deployed from the HC-54, the aircraft changed positions. This placed the HC-54 slightly ahead and below and to the left of the HC-97. After flying one dry run and again in the right-hand pattern, two pararescuemen deployed from the HC-97. Seconds later, the two aircraft collided. The HC-54D suddenly banked to the right, colliding with the HC-97G, hitting the wing or midsection of the HC-97G and sheering both its wing and the tail section, and both aircraft immediately plunged towards the water. The three boats in the area immediately began a search for any survivors. Both aircraft were destroyed, and there were no survivors.
Source: Facebook page Bermuda Air Collision
Probable cause:
The primary cause of the accident was undetermined, but Air Force investigators concluded that probable cause was an incapacitation of the HC-54 pilot. An autopsy revealed cardiovascular issues which may have caused acute chest pains.

Crash of a Douglas HC-54D off Hamilton: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
42-72590
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hamilton - Hamilton
MSN:
10695
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
On 29 June 1964, a Douglas HC-54 (serial number 42-72590, of the USAF 57th Air Rescue Squadron) and a Boeing HC-97 (serial number 52-2773, USAF 55th Air Rescue Squadron) were involved in an aerial photography mission near Kindley Air Base, Bermuda. To support the NASA Gemini program, it was necessary to train pararescue personnel in the delivery and installation of flotation collars on the Gemini' space capsule. This required placing personnel performing temporary duty at Bermuda where water jumps were to be conducted. In conjunction with this training, a requirement existed to support preparation of a film concerning the "pararescue" mission. Since the two requirements appeared compatible, they were combined into one mission. The HC-97 took off at 11:05 local time, and the HC-54 took off at 11:10. The weather was 2,000 feet scattered clouds, 2,500 feet scattered clouds, visibility 9 miles, and winds variable at 8 knots. Both aircraft arrived in the drop area and because of the clouds, decided to fly the mission at 1,700 feet (below the clouds). Aboard each aircraft were, photographers and pararescuemen. There were also photographers aboard the boats in the drop area to photograph the drop from the surface. As they had briefed before the flight the aircraft established themselves in proper positions. The first run had the HC-97 taking photos as the HC-54 (which was slightly forward and below) began deploying the pararescuemen. Right-hand patterns were flown, and photos were to be shot with the sun behind the cameras, and at an angle that would not reveal any of the land surface in the photos. After a few passes over the drop area with the pararescuemen being deployed from the HC-54, the aircraft changed positions. This placed the HC-54 slightly ahead and below and to the left of the HC-97. After flying one dry run and again in the right-hand pattern, two pararescuemen deployed from the HC-97. Seconds later, the two aircraft collided. The HC-54D suddenly banked to the right, colliding with the HC-97G, hitting the wing or midsection of the HC-97G and sheering both its wing and the tail section, and both aircraft immediately plunged towards the water. The three boats in the area immediately began a search for any survivors. Both aircraft were destroyed, and there were no survivors.
Source: Facebook page Bermuda Air Collision
Probable cause:
The primary cause of the accident was undetermined, but Air Force investigators concluded that probable cause was an incapacitation of the HC-54 pilot. An autopsy revealed cardiovascular issues which may have caused acute chest pains.

Crash of a Boeing C-135B stratolifter at Clark AFB: 80 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 1964 at 1920 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
61-0332
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Travis – Hickam – Clark
MSN:
18239
YOM:
1962
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
74
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
80
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a flight from Travis AFB to Clark AFB with an intermediate stop at Hickam Field, Honolulu, carrying US soldiers and their family members. While descending to Clark AFB runway 02, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds, rain falls and a limited visibility to one mile. Five km from the runway threshold, the crew passed below the glide and the ATC in charge of the approach sent three warnings to the crew. Despite this, the pilot-in-command continued the approach and at three km from the runway threshold, the crew was instructed to go around. As the captain had the runway in sight, he neglected this order and decided to continue the approach, changed his frequency and contacted the tower when he was cleared to land. At a distance of 1,050 meters short of runway threshold, the nose gear struck a fence and the left wing struck the TACAN (Tactical Air navigation) antenna. The airplane stalled, hit the ground and slid for several yards, crossed a road where it struck a taxi and came to rest in flames 600 meters short of runway and 100 meters to the left of the extended centerline. Five crew members, among them both pilots, were injured, while all 74 passengers, five others crew members and the taxi driver were killed. Both taxi's passengers were injured as well.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew who decided to continue the approach despite he was instructed by ATC to abandon the approach and to go around. Marginal weather conditions were considered as a contributing factor as well as the lack of ATC coordination as the ATC in charge of the approach instructed the crew to go around and the ATC by the Tower cleared the crew to land.

Crash of a Douglas C-124C Globemaster II in Cooperton: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1964 at 1900 LT
Operator:
Registration:
52-1008
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Clovis – Dover
MSN:
43917
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. The airplane went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in an uninhabited area located near Cooperton, OK. The debris were found on a large area and all six crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed the loss of control was caused by severe turbulences while flying in a thunderstorm.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123 Provider at Hurlburt Field AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 6, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hurlburt Field - Hurlburt Field
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training at Hurlburt Field AFB and was completing touch and go manoeuvres. On final approach, the airplane went out of control and crashed half a mile short of runway threshold. Four crew members were killed and four others were injured.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130A Hercules at Ieshima AFB

Date & Time: May 2, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
56-0492
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
3100
YOM:
1957
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the engine number one failed. The crew elected to abandon the takeoff procedure but due to asymmetric thrust, the airplane deviated from the centerline, veered off runway to the left and came to rest in a grassy area. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the engine number during takeoff roll.