Crash of a Curtiss JN-4H in Heller Field: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1920
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Heller Field, while climbing, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed. The passenger was killed and the pilot was seriously injured. It was reported that the passenger was unauthorized on this flight.

Crash of a Curtiss R-4LM in Camden: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1920
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
49
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bustleton – Washington DC
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Bustleton, PA, on a mail flight to Washington DC, carrying one passenger and one pilot. While cruising at an altitude of 1,700 feet, the engine caught fire. The pilot reduced his altitude to attempt an emergency landing but at a height of about 200 feet, the passenger jumped out the aircraft and fell into the ground. The aircraft crash landed and was damaged beyond repair. While the pilot escaped unhurt, the passenger died from his injuries few hours later.
Probable cause:
Engine fire.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.4 in Heller Field: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 30, 1920 at 1445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
72
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bellefonte - Heller Field
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Bellefonte, PA, on a mail flight to Heller Field, Newark, NJ. On approach, while completing a circuit to land at an altitude of about 150 feeet and a speed of 80 mph, the single engine airplane collided with the stack of the Tiffany's factory and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot Harry Conley Sherlock aged 22 was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.4 in Newark

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1920
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
203
Flight Type:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot undershot the field and the aircraft nosed over.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.4 in Long Valley: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1919
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
77
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
College Park – Belmont Park
MSN:
77
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a mail flight from College Park to Belmont Park, New York. While overflying New Jersey, he encountered poor weather conditions and reduced his altitude to maintain a visual contact with the ground. Eventually, he decided to make an emergency landing in Long Valley, west of Newark, when the aircraft impacted ground and crashed in a field. The pilot J. P. Charlton was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.4 in Elizabeth: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1918
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
97
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot Carl B. Smith was performing a mail flight. He was killed after the airplane stalled, entered a spin and crashed after takeoff from Elizabeth Airfield.
Probable cause:
The pilot lost control of the airplane due to his inexperience on this type of aircraft.