California

Country:

Region:

North American B-25 Mitchell

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7224

Captain / Total hours on type:

950.00

Circumstances:

While flying at a cruising altitude along the California coast, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent until it crashed into the sea some six miles off Ventura. Both crew members were killed and only few debris were found.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidences, investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Final Report:

Crash of a North American B-25N Mitchell in Red Bluff

Date & Time: May 6, 1967 at 1639 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N3521G

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

108-47507

YOM:

1944

Location:

Red Bluff

Country:

Region:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8000

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude, one of the engine caught fire. The crew was cleared to divert to Red Bluff-Bidwell Field Airport for an emergency landing. On final approach, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames in an open field short of runway. While both occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Engine fire for undetermined reason. The crew misjudged distance and speed on final.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-70-DL near Castle AFB

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1967 at 1500 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Amerine Turkey Breeding Farms

Registration:

N54370

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

19220

YOM:

1943

Location:

Castle AFB

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 560

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5435

Captain / Total hours on type:

700.00

Circumstances:

While on a cargo flight, the crew informed ATC about a fire in the cabin and elected to divert to Castle AFB for an emergency landing. During the descent, the fire spread to the cargo compartment and the captain eventually decided to make an emergency landing in an open field. The airplane belly landed few miles from the airbase and came to rest in flames. While both crew members escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Probable cause:

Fuel leaking from the APU ignited in flight and set fire to the cargo stacked around the APU. Inadequate maintenance and inspection on part of the Company.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in South Lake Tahoe: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1967 at 1815 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N616R

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

South Lake Tahoe

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1035

Captain / Total hours on type:

124.00

Circumstances:

While descending to South Lake Tahoe Airport, the right engine failed. The pilot tried to maintain height and speed but the airplane eventually stalled and crashed in the Tahoe Valley. A passenger was seriously injured while all four other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Right engine failure in flight due to a fatigue fracture of the ignition system (magneto). Improper emergency procedures. Impulse coupling cam assembly failure due to broken palls. 67 hours on mag since overhaul.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-6 in Oakland

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1967 at 1428 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-6

Operator:

Registration:

N74841

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Oakland - Oakland

MSN:

43056/50

YOM:

1947

Location:

Oakland

Country:

Region:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

18307

Captain / Total hours on type:

4621.00

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local training mission at Oakland International Airport. After touchdown, the pilot-in-command started the braking procedure when control was lost. The airplane veered off runway before coming to rest. While all four crew members were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The pilot-in-command failed to maintain directional control due to improper operation of powerplant controls which caused an asymmetrical thrust reversal after landing. Crew unfamiliar with early warning reverse circuit. Poor flight supervision on part of the instructor.

Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar on Mt Pallett: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1966 at 2115 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

53-3195

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

March - March

MSN:

11208

YOM:

1953

Location:

Mt Pallett

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a night training mission out from March AFB, Riverside. While cruising in stormy weather at an altitude of 8,000 feet, the airplane struck tree tops and crashed on the slope of Mt Pallett located 8,4 miles south of Pearblossom. The aircraft impacted the north slope just below the ridge scattering wreckage on both sides of the ridge. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Maj Elvin Estes,
Cpt Norman Gassman,
Cpt Raymond Miller,
S/Sgt Roger DuCharime.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S Expeditor in San Jose

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1966 at 0545 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft C18S

Operator:

Cardinal Airways

Registration:

N7385C

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

6801

YOM:

1944

Location:

San Jose

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5039

Captain / Total hours on type:

167.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to San Jose Airport, both engines failed simultaneously. The airplane stalled, hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located few miles short of runway. All nine occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. Double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion. Inattentive fuel supply during flight. Auxiliary tanks purposely left empty to remain below gross weight. No enroute refueling accomplished.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune off North Island NAS

Date & Time: May 18, 1966 at 1430 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed P-2 Neptune

Operator:

Registration:

147953

Flight Phase:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Flight Type:

Survivors:

North Island-Halsey Field NAS (San Diego)

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

North Island - North Island

MSN:

726-7203

Location:

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 680

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was returning to North Island-Halsey Field NAS following a maritime patrol flight. On final approach, an engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed into the sea about four miles short of runway 36. All seven crew members were rescued while the airplane was lost.

Probable cause:

Engine failure on final approach.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 in Red Bluff: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1966 at 1307 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N6820S

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

680-326-20

YOM:

1956

Location:

Red Bluff

Country:

Region: