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Crash of a Douglas C-53-DO in Blythe: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-47379
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Blythe - Blythe
MSN:
7321
YOM:
1942
Location:
Blythe
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a circular training mission in Blythe and was towing a glider when the accident occurred. Shortly after take off, in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed, killing all eight crew members.

Crash of a Beechcraft AT-7 Navigator on Mt Mendel: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft AT-7 Navigator
Operator:
Registration:
41-21079
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
1094
YOM:
1941
Location:
Mt Mendel
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:
During a training mission, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt Mendel located in the Darwin Glacier, northeast of Fresno. SAR operations were conducted but suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft was found. The wreckage was eventually located on November 24, 1947, and the body of a crew member was found in October 2005.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator in Gardner AFB

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
41-11833
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
329
YOM:
1941
Location:
Gardner AFB (Taft)
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:
Crash landed for unknown reason. No casualties.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-178 near Palm Springs: 12 killed

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1942 at 1715 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
NC16017
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Burbank – Phoenix
MSN:
1555
YOM:
1936
Flight number:
AA028
Location:
Palm Springs
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Captain / Total flying hours:
17155
Captain / Total hours on type:
5000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
863
Copilot / Total hours on type:
353
Circumstances:
While cruising on airway 5 at an altitude of 9,000 feet, the DC-3 collided with a USAAF Lockheed B-34 Ventura II registered 41-38116 and performing a flight from Long Beach to Palm Springs with two pilots on board. Following the collision, the DC-3 dove into the ground and crashed 3 miles north of Palm Springs, killing all 12 occupants. The Ventura was able to land safely at Palm Springs Airport. The American composer Ralph Rainger was among the passengers.
Crew:
Charles Fred Pedley, pilot,
Louis Frederick Reppert Jr., copilot,
Estelle Frances Regan, stewardess.
Probable cause:
The evidence of the record leaves no doubt as to the cause of, or the responsibility for, this accident. The pilot of the Bomber testified with great frankness to the facts, which showed that no diverged from his military mission to fly the Bomber in close proximity to the Airliner for the express purpose of signalling friend in the copilot's seat of the letter plane. Such conduct was wholly without justification. The investigation discloses no basis for any inference that the pilot in command of the Airliner was aware of the reason for Lieutenant Wilson's conduct or that he sought in any manner to cooperate with Lieutenant Wilson in any plan of reciprocal solution. Both the pilot and copilot of the Bomber testified that they observed no maneuver of recognition from the Airlines in response to the Bomber's wing-dip salute. Board is driven to the conclusion that this collision resulted from the reckless and irresponsible act of the Bomber pilot and that the captain of the Airliner was without fault.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator in San Diego

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
41-11739
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
235
YOM:
1941
Location:
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:
Crash landed at San Diego Airport in unclear circumstances. No casualties.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina near Half Moon Bay: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jun 1, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
04439
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Location:
Half Moon Bay
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight when the seaplane hit a mountain located east of Half Moon Bay. All eight occupants were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed A-29 Hudson off Eel River: 7 killed

Date & Time: May 15, 1942 at 1245 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
41-23333
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
414-6150
YOM:
1941
Location:
Eureka
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While completing a training mission, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances about 9 miles off the mouth of the Eel River, California. The plane was observed to enter a dive and to crash into the sea at coordinates 40º39'N and 124º30'W, some 20 miles southwest of Eureka. No trace of the wreckage was found and all seven crew members were presumed dead.
Crew:
William Froehlingsdorf, pilot,
2nd Lt Wilford J. Caisssie, copilot,
Wade E. Andreas,
Laurence M. Christian Jr.,
Stanley E. Shaw,
Ens Albert Clinton Maher, Navy
A2c James Edward Jones, Navy.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidence, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina near Livermore: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
7266
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Alameda - Norfolk
Location:
Livermore
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The seaplane left Alameda NAS on a cross country flight to Norfolk-Chambers NAS, Virginia. Few minutes after take off, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain near Livermore. Six crew members were killed while the seventh was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina near Livermore: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
7269
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Alameda - Norfolk
Location:
Livermore
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The seaplane left Alameda NAS on a cross country flight to Norfolk-Chambers NAS, Virginia. Few minutes after take off, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located 11 km east of Livermore. All eight crew members were killed and the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire.

Crash of a Cessna AT-17E Bobcat near Stockton

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Cessna T-50 Bobcat (AT-8/AT-17/UC-78 & Crane)
Operator:
Registration:
42-62
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Stockton
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a mid-air collision, the crew bailed out and abandoned the airplane that crashed 7 miles southwest of Stockton. There were no casualties.
Crew:
Joseph L. Asbury Jr.
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