California

Airtankers "T1" (N96449, msn 10750) and "T2" (N406WA, msn 35955) both Douglas DC-4's, departed the Hemet-Ryan Field, CA (HMT) about 13:22. Both airtankers had been recently released by the Forest Service from southern California fire assignments and were headed for their home base in Tucson, Arizona. While enroute, the crew of T1 engaged in taking in-flight photographs of T2 at an altitude of approximately 9,500 feet. T1 was flying in formation with T2 at his four to five o'clock position. The pilot of T1 stated over the radio that they were going to cross over to the other side of T2 to take more photographs. T2 gave permission and said that he would hold steady. The repositioning path T1 flew was a 45 degree overtaking angle from the four to five o'clock position toward the 10 to 11 o'clock position of T2. The vertical separation between the two airtankers was insufficient and a mid-air collision occurred. The vertical fin of T1 struck the right wing flap of T2. T1's fin and rudder were sheared off by that impact. The retardant tanks of T2 compressed the top aft end of the fuselage of T1. The number two propeller of T2 severed the fuselage of T1 approximately 10 feet in front of its horizontal stabilizer. T1's tail section was separated from the rest of the airtanker at that time, rendering it out of control. The pilot of T2 radioed Palm Springs Approach Control at 13:50, declared an emergency, and apprised them of the collision. T2 landed safely at the Palm Springs Airport at 13:56. After T1 experienced the tail separation, they lost altitude rapidly. T1 dropped debris for about a mile and a half until it cut through two power lines and then struck the earth nose first. There was a post-mishap fire. The captain and copilot were fatally injured. The tail section of T1 was found approximately two and a half miles from the main wreckage site. T2's damage consisted of damage to the right wing flap, scrapes and punctures to the retardant tank, damage to the right wheel compartment, badly "chewed up" propeller blades on the number two engine, a hole in the left wing, a dented left horizontal stabilizer on the tail, and various other damage.
Source: ASN

While descending to San Francisco Airport, the nose gear could not be lowered and remained stuck in its wheel well. Following a normal approach, the airplane landed on its main undercarriage then slid on its nose for few hundred yards before coming to rest. All 133 occupants were evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

On approach to Santa Maria, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling and a limited visibility due to fog. He initiated a go-around manoeuvre and started a second ILS approach few minutes later. In a visibility limited to two miles or less, he failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a mountain slope located about six miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

After takeoff from Palm Springs Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot reported an engine failure and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. While making a turn, the twin engine airplane lost height, struck trees and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. Both occupants were slightly injured.

On approach to Sacramento-Executive Airport by night, both engines stopped simultaneously. The airplane lost speed then stalled and crashed into a residential area, bursting into flames. Both occupants were injured while there were no casualties on the ground.

During the takeoff roll at Ramona Airport, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. While both pilots escaped uninjured, the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

The twin engine airplane was returning to San Clemente Island-Naval Auxiliary Landing Field following a routine maritime patrol flight when it crashed into the sea in unknown circumstances, few miles offshore. All four crew members were killed.

While flying at a relative low altitude into a blind canyon, the single engine airplane stalled and crashed between ridges on rising terrain. The wreckage was recovered in an isolated area two days later. All six occupants were killed.

The crew departed Mojave-Kern County Airport in the morning on a series of tests on this new Bombardier prototype. While in cruising altitude, the crew initiated an unscheduled stall when the airplane reached an angle of attack of 34°. Control was lost and the airplane entered a dive. All three crew members bailed out and the airplane crashed in a desert area. Two crew members were injured while the third occupant was killed as his parachute failed to open.

En route from Auburn to Novato, both engines stopped almost simultaneously. The pilot attempted to make an emergency landing when the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located near Vacaville, about 31 miles northeast of Novato-Gnoss Field. All five occupants were killed.