United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft was completing a flight from Baltimore to Columbus on behalf of the Ohio National Guard. Enroute, an engine failed and all ten passengers bailed out. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a dense wooded area located about 15 miles east-southeast of Barnesville. A passenger whose parachute failed to open was killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Boeing KC-97G Stratotanker into the Atlantic Ocean: 9 killed

Date & Time: May 4, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker

Operator:

Registration:

53-0110

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

16892

YOM:

1953

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Enroute from the US to Europe, while in cruising altitude, the crew sent a brief mayday message, reporting an engine explosion. Shortly later, the airplane went into a dive and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean some 145 km southwest of Reykjavik. All nine crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine explosion in flight.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-40-BN Superfortress in Naha: 10 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Boeing B-29 Superfortress

Operator:

Registration:

44-61677

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Kadena - Kadena

MSN:

11154

YOM:

1944

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The crew was engaged in a local training sortie out from Kadena AFB. After completing low-level maneuvers, the crew was trying to get height when, flying in clouds, the airplane struck a hill located 5 km southeast of Naha. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all ten crew members were killed.
Crew (581st Air Resupply Group):
Victor C. Marston 9.

Crash of a Douglas C-124C Globemaster II in Frobisher Bay

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-124 Globemaster II

Operator:

Registration:

52-0991

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Churchill - Frobisher Bay

MSN:

43900

YOM:

1952

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On final approach to Frobisher Bay Airport (Iqaluit), the four engine aircraft dipped below the level of the runway, then get the correct level. It almost made it but the landing gear caught on the very end of the runway and the plane did a cartwheel which tore off the starboard wing. The nose did not touch the runway, but the entire plane flipped over, broke up into many pieces and caught fire. All five crew members were seriously injured and evacuated to Goose Bay. The aircraft was totally destroyed. The engine number one continued to function for a day or so before the decision was made to shut off the fuel supply. The crew was performing a cargo flight from Churchill, carrying a load of Snow Cats (Bombardier Snowmobiles).
Source & photos: Ray White

Crash of a De Havilland L-20A Beaver near Mito

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1955

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Operator:

Registration:

53-8165

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

663

YOM:

1954

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Circumstances:

The aircraft crashed in the region of Mito, maybe following an engine failure. The pilot John W. Culpepper was uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119C-26-FA Flying Boxcar in Ghisonaccia

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Operator:

Registration:

51-2648

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

10637

YOM:

1951

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

Following a mismanagement of fuel on part of the crew, the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing at Ghisonaccia Airport. The aircraft crashed on landing and was destroyed while all four crew members were unhurt.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119C-26-FA Flying Boxcar near Moulins

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Operator:

Registration:

51-2645

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

10634

YOM:

1951

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An engine failure in flight forced the crew to bail out and to abandon the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed in a field about 15 km southeast of Moulins. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G-FA Flying Boxcar at Matsushima AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Operator:

Registration:

51-8085

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

10979

YOM:

1952

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Circumstances:

Crashed on takeoff following an engine failure. At least one crew member was killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure at takeoff.

Ground accident of a Douglas SC-47D near Narsarsuaq

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

43-48765

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

14581/26026

YOM:

1944

Location:

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Circumstances:

While taxiing, the airplane struck an irregularities in the terrain, causing a main gear and its ski to be sheared off. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and there were no casualties.