Washington

The crew left McChord AFB that day on a reconnaissance mission, taking part to rescue operations after a Northwest Airlines C-54 disappeared in the region of the Queen Charlotte Island. While returning to its base by night, the airplane was too low and hit tree tops before crashing in a wooded area located on the slope of Mt Buckhorn, about 17,5 miles south of Sequim. Three crew members were killed while five others were rescued.

The crew (three engineers and pilots from Boeing and three USAF officers) were engaged in a local flight from Seattle-Boeing Field to test the airplane that was subject to technical modifications. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the four engine airplane encountered serious difficulties to gain height when the right wing hit the roof of a brewery located about a mile north of the airfield. Out of control, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion on the Lester Apartments building. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire fed by 4,000 gallons of fuel. All six crew members and five people in the building were killed while 11 other people on the ground were injured. The exact cause of the mishap remains unclear.
Crew:
Lt Lloyd G. Vanderwielen, pilot,
Earl Edwards, copilot,
Cpt Charles A. Dews, radar observer,
M/Sgt Frank A. Dodaro, flight engineer,
Kenneth C. Barrick, flight test analyst 1.

The crew was performing a local training flight when control was lost. The aircraft crashed into the Possession Sound, less than a mile off Smith Island. All nine crew members were killed. The aircraft was registered 59657 (VP-871).

Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason. Occupant fate remains unknown.

The crew was completing a local training sortie from NAS Whidbey Island. On final approach to runway 25, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Skagit Bay, about five miles east of the airfield. Five crew members were killed while five others were injured.

While cruising at an altitude of 3,500 feet in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Spokane located northeast of Spokane, Washington, Both pilots were killed.

At Spokane the aircraft was checked visually, and departed Geiger Field at 1204 with the same crew, seven passengers, and 800 gallons of fuel. The flight plan was under Instrument Flight Rules to cruise at 6,000 feet Mean Sea Level between Spokane and Wenatchee, Washington. At takeoff the aircraft’s total weight was 33,822 pounds, as compared with a maximum allowable of 37,780 pounds. The disposable load was distributed in such a manner that the aircraft’s center of gravity was within prescribed limits. Four minutes after takeoff, at 1208, the flight reported having reached the cruising level of 6,000 feet MSL at 1207. At 1212 it was given the Wenatchee weather which was below minima. The flight immediately asked clearance to the next scheduled stop, Yakima, where the weather was above minima. While the Spokane radio operator was obtaining the requested clearance, the flight broadcasted an emergency message. This was at about 1213, only some 15 seconds after asking for the new clearance. No difficulty of any sort had been reported previously. This emergency message was copied by company operators at Spokane, Yakima and Seattle. At the latter place it was also recorded on a magnetic tape by Aeronautical Radio, Inc., an independent radio organization serving several air carriers. The message was in three short sentences. All operators agree that the first was, “We are in trouble,” and that the last was, “Going down fast.” The middle sentence was interpreted by one operator as, “Plane gone nuts” and by the second as, “Right engine haywire.” The third operator put down a series of Q’s, meaning not understood. The actual context of the message will be discussed later in this reports. There was no further radio contact with the flight. At or about 1214 the aircraft crashed on the Pundy farm about three miles west of Reardan, Washington, and approximately 20 miles from Geiger Field. All aboard were killed. A flash fire followed impact and burning continued for some time at the end location throughout the wreckage area. Weather conditions during the short flight from Geiger Field to the impact site included restricted visibility due to light snow. At the flight level there was no icing or turbulence either forecast or reported. Instrument conditions prevailed at the flight’s altitude. At the place and time of the crash the ceiling was about 200 feet and the surface visibility about one-third mile.

The crew was performing a local training flight when the aircraft crashed three miles southwest of Renton, killing both crew members. The accident occurred in stormy weather.

The crew was performing a local training sortie from NAS Whidbey Island. While cruising at an altitude of 4,000 feet, the aircraft went into a dive and crashed into the Saratoga Passage, near the Puget Sound. All seven crew members were killed. Aircraft was registered 59840 (VP-931).

The crew was engaged in an agricultural mission and while flying at low height, the twin engine aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in flames in a wooded area. Both crew members were killed.