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Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Terminal Island NAS: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 25, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
46599
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1963
Location:
Terminal Island NAS (San Pedro)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing at Terminal Island NAS. At least three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas R5D-2 off San Francisco: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
90385
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
San Francisco - San Francisco
MSN:
18358
YOM:
1944
Location:
San Francisco
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While performing a training exercise, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the San Francisco Bay. A crew member was killed while all four other occupants were rescued.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24J-5-FO Liberator near Boron: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
42-50780
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
MSN:
2665
Location:
Boron
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Edwards AFB for a training exercise. In unknown circumstances, the four engine aircraft crashed in a desert area located 20 miles east of Boron. All nine occupants were killed.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3R Mariner Flying Boat off Alameda NAS: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
6497
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Alameda NAS - Alameda NAS
MSN:
6497
Location:
Alameda NAS (Oakland)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Shortly after its take off from Alameda NAS, while climbing, the seaplane exploded in mid air and crashed into the San Francisco Bay. All nine crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off San Diego

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
48449
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1811
Location:
North Island-Halsey Field NAS (San Diego)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Was damaged beyond repair while landing into the bay off North Island-Halsey Field NAS. No casualties.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-10-CU near Palmdale: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 20, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
41-12363
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Wickenburg - Long Beach
MSN:
26490
Location:
Palmdale
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While descending to Palmale, aircraft was too low and hit the slope of Mt Pallet at a height of 7,300 feet and located some 20 miles southeast of Palmdale. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
For unknown reason, crew was approaching Palmdale at a too low altitude.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-10-CU in McClellan AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 18, 1944 at 0100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
41-12339
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
McClellan AFB - Reno
MSN:
26466
YOM:
1943
Location:
Sacramento-McClellan
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from McClellan AFB, while climbing, aircraft lost height and crashed in flames near the American River, south of the airbase. Two crew were killed while three others were injured.
Probable cause:
An undetermined fire erupted in the cockpit, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-1 in El Toro MCAS: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 14, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
05057
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4657
Location:
El Toro MCAS
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from El Toro MCAS, while climbing, the aircraft crashed for unknown reason. All three crew were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-60-DL in Oakland: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1944 at 0613 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-30682
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Oakland - Seattle
MSN:
13833
YOM:
1943
Location:
Oakland
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 27 in Oakland Airport, while climbing, left engine failed. Right away, the pilot feathered the propeller and started a right turn when the aircraft stalled and crashed onto a house near the airport. All eight occupants were killed while nobody on the ground was injured.
Probable cause:
According to officials, the failure of the left engine was likely caused by the ruptured of a fuel line.

Crash of a Douglas C-49J in Mines AFB: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1944 at 2124 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-49 (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-1982
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
McClellan AFB - Mines AFB
MSN:
5000
YOM:
1942
Location:
Mines AFB
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Aircraft left McClellan AFB in Sacramento at 1830LT bound for Mines Field in Los Angeles. Pilot started the approach in good weather conditions but encountered patches of fog on final approach to runway 07L. Due to insufficient visibility, he decided to go around when the aircraft hit power cables. In stalling condition, aircraft hit trees and other electrical cables before crashing on an allotment located near the airport. Both pilots and one people on ground were killed as three other occupants were injured.
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