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Crash of a Douglas B-18A Bolo in New York: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Douglas B-18 Bolo
Operator:
Registration:
37-576
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Mitchel - Mitchel
MSN:
2576
YOM:
1937
Location:
New York
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Mitchel AFB in Long Island on a local flight, in formation with two other similar aircrafts. While cruising at an altitude of 2,500 feet, the pilot attempted to pass below the two other airplanes when it collided with Bolo registered 37-583. Both aircraft entered a dive and crashed in 239th Street, Queens. All 12 crew members in both aircrafts were killed.
Probable cause:
Crew error.

Crash of a Sikorsky S-38C off Port Washington: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1940 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Sikorsky S-38
Operator:
George J. Daufkirch
Registration:
NC79
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
214-3
YOM:
1929
Location:
Port Washington
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from the Manhasset Bay, the float plane went out of control and crashed into the sea off Port Washington. All three occupants were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth off Floyd Bennett Field

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1939 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth
Operator:
Paul R. Smith
Registration:
NC12739
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Floyd Bennett Field - Occean Beach
MSN:
4026
YOM:
1932
Location:
Floyd Bennett Field
New York
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:
Shortly after takeoff from Floyd Bennett Field, en route to Occean Beach, the single engine airplane went out of control and crashed into Jamaica Bay. The pilot, sole on board, was injured.

Crash of a Stinson SR-8B Reliant in Morris: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1937 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Stinson SR-8 Reliant
Operator:
H. H. Linn Airplane Corporation
Registration:
NC16146
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Morris - Morris
MSN:
9715
YOM:
1936
Location:
Morris
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Just after takeoff from Morris-Linn Field, the single engine airplane collided with trees and crashed, bursting into flames. A passenger was injured and three other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed 1 Vega in Roosevelt Field

Date & Time: May 15, 1937
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 1 Vega
Operator:
F. O. Y. Fetterman
Registration:
NR7426
Flight Type:
Private
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
14
YOM:
1928
Location:
Roosevelt Field
New York
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:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. Occupant fate unknown.

Crash of a Martin B-10B at Mitchel AFB

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1936
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-10 (Model 139 & 166)
Operator:
Registration:
34-50
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
581
YOM:
1934
Location:
Mitchel AFB (Long Island)
New York
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:
The airplane ran out of fuel and crashed west of Mitchel AFB, Long island. Crew fate unknown.
Probable cause:
Fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Stinson Model A in Pavilion: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1936
Type of aircraft:
Stinson Model A
Operator:
Registration:
NC15152
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
New York – Buffalo
MSN:
9112
YOM:
1935
Location:
Pavilion
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route from New York to Buffalo, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in Pavilion, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Crash of a Stinson Model U in Albany

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1936
Type of aircraft:
Stinson Model U
Operator:
Registration:
NC12119
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
9007
YOM:
1932
Location:
Albany
New York
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:
Crashed upon take off from Albany Airport. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Keystone Y1B-6A in Mineola

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1936
Type of aircraft:
Keystone LB-6
Operator:
Registration:
30-353
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Mineola
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew of the 1st Bombing Squadron was performing a training flight. Shortly after takeoff from Roosevelt Field, while climbing, the pilot encountered an engine failure and attempted to make an emergency landing in an open field located in Mineola. While all five occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after takeoff.

Crash of a Curtiss T-18 Condor I in Troy: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1935 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss T-18 Condor I
Operator:
Chamberlin Flying Service
Registration:
NC725K
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Troy – Teterboro
MSN:
G-2
YOM:
1930
Location:
Troy
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the left engine failed. The crew decided to return to Troy Airport but during the last turn, just passing over a small hill, the aircraft lost altitude, impacted a tree and swung into another before dropping to the ground, bursting into flames. All six occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. The captain died few hours later resulting from his injuries. It appears that the aircraft was carrying two couples and was originally planned as a sky wedding flight over New York City. The captain killed in the accident was Harry Hublitz, aged 42. The famous ace feminine pilot Ruth Nichols was among the passengers and was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
There was no structural or mechanical-failure of the aircraft or controls. The cause of the left engine failing could not be determined due to damage sustained by fire. Whether or not the right engine was delivering full power could not be determined. It is evident, however, that the airplane could not maintain its altitude after the left engine failed. It is possible also that a downdraft was encountered while crossing the hill on the return flight to the airport, which caused the airplane to lose further altitude. Turning toward the disabled engine for the return flight necessitated considerably more loss of altitude than would a turn in the direction of the functioning engine. It is the opinion of the Bureau of Air Commerce that the probable cause of this accident was poor judgment on the part of the pilot in his handling of the airplane following an engine failure.
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