Crash of a Lockheed 5 Vega in Brownsville

Date & Time: May 19, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N161N
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
41
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft was carrying two people who were flying to Brownsville to take part to an airshow. The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances and both occupants were injured.

Crash of a Lockheed 5 Vega in Los Mochis

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1959 at 1624 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XB-BUT
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Torréon – Los Mochis
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cargo flight from Torréon to Los Mochis, carrying a load of three tons of shrimp according to various sources. While approaching Los Mochis Airport, the single engine airplane crashed in a field, injuring all three occupants. If the total weight of the cargo is confirmed to be three tons, this should remains a major issue as the Lockheed Vega MTOW certification is just above two tons.

Crash of a Lockheed 5C Vega in Tenakee: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 15, 1958 at 1600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N47M
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Juneau – Angoon – Hood Bay – Baranof – Rodgers Point – Tenakee – Juneau
MSN:
99
YOM:
1929
Flight number:
ACA040
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1263
Captain / Total hours on type:
209.00
Aircraft flight hours:
13496
Circumstances:
Alaska Coastal Airlines, a scheduled air carrier, is authorized to conduct operations throughout southeastern Alaska. On January 15, 1958, Captain Fred B. Sheldon departed from Juneau to fly Trip 40. Scheduled stops were planned at Angoon, Hood Bay, Baranof, Rodgers Point, Tenakee, and the flight was to terminate at the point of origin, Juneau. Weather reports for the area indicated conditions to be generally good, enabling the flight to be conducted according to visual flight rules. Ceilings were forecast to be 2,000 to 3,000 feet and winds near the surface were anticipated to be moderate and generally southwesterly. At least one mountain pass over the route was reported closed because of clouds. The gross takeoff weight of the aircraft at Juneau was calculated to be 5,237 pounds, approximately 4 pounds less than the maximum allowable. The load was correctly distributed within the center of gravity limitations. Flight 40 departed Juneau at 1301 and was routine to Angoon. After refueling, the flight continued uneventfully to Hood Bay, Baranof, Rodgers Point; arriving at Rodgers Point about 1520. About 1530, after the takeoff from Rodgers Point, a radio operator there advised the station agent at Tenakee (the next intended en route stop) that flight 40 was off the water and would need 20 gallons of fuel when it arrived. At approximately 1557 the agent at Tenakee heard a distress call from flight 40 over the radio. The pilot called “Mayday” and stated he was trying to make it to the flats in Kadashan Bay. The agent then called Flight 40 by radio asking its position. Sheldon’s final message was “ . . . the flats across from Tenakee.” Immediately thereafter the aircraft crashed. Both passengers were injured while the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the poor flight planning by the pilot and his poor judgment in allowing the aircraft to run out of fuel. A contributing factor was the lack of adequate organization and management of the air carrier’s operations to ensure that all flights were planned and conducted with safety. The following findings were reported:
- With one fuel tank out of use, the aircraft did not comply with the requirements of Bulletin 7A under which it was certificated for passenger-carrying service,
- No evidence of mechanical or structural failure was found,
- The pilot did not plan his flight to provide for an adequate fuel reserve at all times,
- The company did not provide adequate supervision or control over flight planning or clearance of flights,
- A longer alternate route had to be followed by the flight because of unfavorable weather,
- The aircraft exhausted its fuel supply and crashed,
- The air carrier’s operations manual was incomplete and was not maintained current as required by regulations,
- The CAA safety inspection program was ineffective in terms of ensuring that the carrier was conducting operations at a level of safety appropriate for the carrier’s operating certificate and associated operating specifications.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 5A Vega in Cutzamala de Pinzón: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XB-KAQ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
96
YOM:
1929
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing both occupants. The single engine aircraft was owned by A. Brito.

Crash of a Lockheed DL-1 Vega in Hildalgo del Parral

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1946
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-DAY
MSN:
157
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in 1946. The exact date and the occupant fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Lockheed 5C Vega in El Paso: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC48610
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
210
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing the pilot and injuring all three passengers.

Crash of a Lockheed 5C Vega in Durango

Date & Time: Feb 22, 1945 at 0805 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-BFT
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Monclova – Torreón – Durango
MSN:
50
YOM:
1929
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing at Durango Airport. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all five occupants were injured.

Crash of a Lockheed 5B Vega in Boaco

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
AN-ABL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
MSN:
66
YOM:
1929
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Boaco, some 80 km northeast of Managua. Occupant fate unknown. Registered to J. Angel & J. Baker but operated by Amazonia Comercio e Industria de Nicaragua.

Crash of a Lockheed 5B Vega in Alaska

Date & Time: Aug 2, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC162W
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
128
YOM:
1930
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
In unknown circumstances, the single engine aircraft crashed in the region of the Kuskokwim River. While the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire, all five occupants, a pilot and four passengers, were injured.