City

Shortly after takeoff from São Paulo-Congonhas Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot-in-command encountered problems and lost control of the aircraft that crashed onto several houses located in the Jabaquara neighborhood. On ground, someone decided to light candles in order to get more light when the fuel that flowed to the ground ignited. Few explosions occurred, killing all ten occupants inside the aircraft and six people on the ground.

The crew (three engineers and pilots from Boeing and three USAF officers) were engaged in a local flight from Seattle-Boeing Field to test the airplane that was subject to technical modifications. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the four engine airplane encountered serious difficulties to gain height when the right wing hit the roof of a brewery located about a mile north of the airfield. Out of control, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion on the Lester Apartments building. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire fed by 4,000 gallons of fuel. All six crew members and five people in the building were killed while 11 other people on the ground were injured. The exact cause of the mishap remains unclear.
Crew:
Lt Lloyd G. Vanderwielen, pilot,
Earl Edwards, copilot,
Cpt Charles A. Dews, radar observer,
M/Sgt Frank A. Dodaro, flight engineer,
Kenneth C. Barrick, flight test analyst 1.

The aircraft left Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport at 0540LT on a cargo flight to Cartagena. Few minutes later, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and obtained the permission to return for an emergency landing. While approaching the airfield from the northwest, the airplane hit the chimney of the Tejícondor factory located in the suburb of Belén, stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. Both crew members and one person on the ground were killed.

Apparently, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing in a prairie. After landing, the aircraft rolled for few dozen yards and eventually crashed in a farmhouse located 6 miles south of Charlotte. The aircraft was destroyed and the farmhouse was seriously damaged. The crew escaped uninjured.
Thanks to Sam R. Stewart for his contribution and images.

Due to snow conditions the flight was delayed at Dunkirk for several hours. During this time the crew obtained weather information and had the aircraft serviced with 230 gallons of fuel. Two known attempts to take off from Dunkirk were made, at 0215, and at 0405 but these were discontinued after a short take-off run because of the accumulation of snow on the aircraft. This snow had accumulated during the time the aircraft was on the ground. A special weather forecast requested from New York and delivered to the crew at 0355, predicted that between Dunkirk and Detroit ceilings would be 3,000 to 4,000 feet MSL, visibility seven miles or more, and that there would be icing in the clouds. At 0808, Captain Dede filed with Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control an IFR flight plan which described a route to Detroit by way of Clear Creek, Canada, at an altitude of 4,000 feet, with Cleveland, Ohio, being designated as the alternate airport. Twenty-nine minutes later, at 0837, the flight took off from Dunkirk. There was sufficient fuel aboard to fly three hours and 40 minutes, and the computed elapsed time to Detroit was one hour and 50 minutes. At this time the total gross weight of the aircraft was 27,050 pounds which was 150 pounds above the allowable limit. Routine progress reports were mad, by the flight when over Clear Creek and Windsor, Canada, and at 0954, Detroit Air Route Traffic Control cleared the flight to contact Detroit City Airport Approach Control Instructions were given the flight by Approach Control and Runway 25 was designated as the runway in use. The flight was also advised that the visibility, restricted by snow showers and smoke, was one mile, and that the surface wind was 15 miles per hour from the southwest. The Detroit City Airport tower controller first observed the aircraft one mile east southeast of the airport with its landing gear down, flying on an approximate heading of 300 degrees and at an altitude estimated to be 700 feet above the ground. When the flight was almost over the field, it requested permission to make a left circle of the air port before landing. Clearance to do this was granted and again the flight was instructed to land on Runway 25. The flight passed directly over the airport, turned left and then flew on an easterly heading until it was approximately three quarters of a mile east of the approach end of the runway. Here it was seen to make a steep left turn and change direction approximately 180 degrees. Although the aircraft straightened out from this turn, it continued to lose altitude until it struck the chimney of a house in a residential district of Detroit approximately 3,200 feet east of the airport. The aircraft then struck and demolished a second house approximately 45 feet west of the first house. Fire developed which partially destroyed the aircraft. Both pilots and one person on the ground were killed.

Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft encountered problems to gain height. The captain started to turn to the right when the aircraft stalled and crashed inverted near the airport. All three crew members and two passengers were killed while 15 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

On approach to Techo Airport, the aircraft crashed in a suburb. Three crew members were killed while a fourth occupant was injured. The exact circumstances of the mishap remains unclear.

The crew was performing a local training flight in Recife-Guararapes Airport. During the final approach completed by night, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the suburb of Ibura, few dozen yards short of the runway threshold. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Shortly after takeoff from Paris-Le Bourget Airport, the four engine aircraft christened 'Keroual' crashed in unknown circumstances in Aubervilliers, south of the airport. All three crew members were slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

On final approach to Berlin-Tempelhof Airport, taking part to the Berlin Airlift, the twin engine aircraft hit the roof of a building and crashed in flames in the adjacent street located in the suburb of Friedenau. Both crewmen were killed while three people on the ground were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.