Crash of a Lockheed P2V-5F Neptune in Brunswick: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1957
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
131452
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brunswick - Brunswick
MSN:
426-5333
Location:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
At liftoff, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames. Six crew members were killed while two others were rescued.

Crash of a Boeing KC-97F-17-BO Stratotanker at Dow AFB

Date & Time: Sep 20, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
51-0373
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
16440
YOM:
1951
Location:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On touchdown, the airplane went out of control and burst into flames. While all 12 crew members were evacuated safely, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Convair B-36B-1-CF Peacemaker at Loring AFB

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-92030
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Loring - Loring
MSN:
27
YOM:
1946
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training mission at Loring AFB. Upon landing, the aircraft hit a snow bank with its wing tip, went out of control and came to rest in flames. All 11 occupants were rescued, some of them were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-4 Neptune in NAS Brunswick: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
124255
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brunswick - Brunswick
Location:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training sortie at NAS Brunswick. On final approach with one engine inoperative (part of the training program), the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area. Four crew members were rescued while six others were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK in Millinocket

Date & Time: Feb 22, 1952
Operator:
Registration:
42-93193
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Millinocket – Burlington
MSN:
13077
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Millinocket, while in initial climb, both engines failed. The crew elected to return to Millinocket but eventually decided to attempt an emergency landing in a field. The airplane crash landed 3 miles west of Millinocket and came to rest. While all five crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-DK in Loring AFB

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1950
Operator:
Registration:
42-92041
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Loring - Loring
MSN:
11797
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crash landed at Loring AFB. No casualties.

Crash of a Convair CV-240-13 in Portland

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1949 at 2117 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC91241
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Boston – Portland
MSN:
161
YOM:
1949
Flight number:
NE812A
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11516
Captain / Total hours on type:
285.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1770
Copilot / Total hours on type:
105
Aircraft flight hours:
506
Circumstances:
The trip from Boston was routine and at 2112 the flight contacted the Portland tower and received landing instructions as follows "Northeast 812 Able cleared to enter traffic pattern Runway 20. Wind east variable southeast 5. The altimeter 2998. Check on base leg." At 2116 the flight reported turning into final approach and was cleared to land on Runway 20. As the aircraft passed over the approach end of the runway, at an estimated altitude of 20 to 25 feet and an indicated airspeed of 120 mph, the throttles were brought back to what was expected to be the closed position, preparatory to landing. However, due to malfunctioning of the propeller reverse lock mechanism, the throttles were actually brought back beyond the closed position and into the propeller reverse pitch position instead. This unexpected reversal of propeller pitch in flight resulted in an extremely hard landing 237 feet past the approach end of the runway with serious damage to the aircraft structure. The airplane, however, continued along the runway a distance of 1,065 feet from the point of initial impact before it came to rest. Fuel which had been spilled along the runway was ignited by sparks from the damaged aircraft and propellers scraping along the runway surface. The fire became concentrated for a period on the right side adjacent to the right engine and right wing root, but subsequently enveloped the major portion of the aircraft. All passengers were evacuated in an orderly manner through the rear cabin exit door. The captain and first officer made their escape through the left cockpit window after all effective action possible had been taken to control the fire. The airport fire equipment arrived shortly thereafter but was unable to extinguish the fire before the aircraft had been damaged beyond economical repair. Five people were slightly injured while all other occupants were unhurt.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was failure of the throttle looking device to function properly thus permitting the movement of the throttles beyond the stop into the propeller reverse pitch position.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-10-DC in Presque Ile: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1944 at 1024 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
42-72211
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Presque Ile - Presque Ile
MSN:
10316
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training flight and left runway 19. During initial climb, while at a height of some 1,000 feet, the pilot made a 30° left turn when the control was lost. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a potatoes field located 4 km from the airfield. All three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It appears that the loss of control was caused by a improper configuration of the elevator trim tab.

Crash of a Douglas A-26B-5-DT Invader in Portland: 21 killed

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1944 at 1640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
43-22253
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Barksdale - Portland
MSN:
18400
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
21
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a flight from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. While descending to Portland, the visibility was reduced due to fog and the crew was unable to localize the airfield and the runway. On approach, the aircraft crashed in a huge ball of fire in the Redbank Trailer Park. Both pilots and 18 people on the ground (mothers and their children) were killed. Less than one month later, one of the survivor died from his injuries.

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-DO Skymaster on Mt Fort: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jun 20, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-37277
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Stephenville - Washington DC
MSN:
3067
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 3,900 feet, the four engine aircraft hit the east slope of Mt Fort located some 35 miles northwest of Millinocket, Maine. The passenger and all seven crew members were killed.