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Crash of a Swearingen SA226T Merlin IIIB in Winslow: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 23, 2021 at 1519 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N59EZ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Scottsdale - Winslow
MSN:
T-394
YOM:
1981
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
5959
Circumstances:
The pilot was conducting a personal flight and was descending the airplane to the destination airport. Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data showed that the airplane accomplished several turning maneuvers near the airport. These turns occurred from an elevation of 6,000 to 4,950 ft mean sea level, at which time the data ended. The airplane was 80 ft above ground level at the time. Witnesses reported seeing a low-flying airplane perform a turn and then veer toward the ground. The airplane came to rest about 4 miles east of the destination airport and 70 ft from the last data target. A postcrash fire ensued. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engines found no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the left engine revealed that the engine was likely producing power. The right engine examination revealed damage consistent with low or no rotation at the time of the accident, including distinct, localized contact marks on the rotating propeller shaft. In addition, no metal spray was found in the turbine section, and no dirt was found within the combustor section. The examination of the right propeller blades showed chordwise scoring with the blades bent aft and twisted toward a low-pitch setting. Examination of the fuel system noted no anomalies. The airplane was equipped with a single redline (SRL) autostart computer. Examination of the right (R) SRL-OFF annunciator panel light bulb showed signatures of hot filament stretch, which was consistent with illumination of the light at the time of the accident. The SRL light normally extinguishes above an engine speed of 80% rpm. Given the low rotational signatures on the right engine and the illuminated “R SRL-OFF” warning light, it is likely that the right engine lost engine power during the flight for reasons that could not be determined.
Probable cause:
The loss of engine power to the right engine for reasons that could not be determined. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon near Winslow: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1974 at 1357 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N7263C
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Whiteriver - Whiteriver
MSN:
15-1247
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2200
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Whiteriver on a fire fighting mission. While flying at low height, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. Both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after the crew failed to maintain flying speed .The following factors were reported:
- High density altitude, about 12,000 feet,
- High temperature,
- Lost control in steep bank.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas A-26B-25-DL Invader in the Old Dad Mountains: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1958 at 0943 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-39310
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
George - Winslow - Phoenix - Blythe - George
MSN:
7023
YOM:
1941
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew left George AFB in the early morning on a training flight to Winslow, Phoenix, Blythe and return to George, with four other similar aircraft. While cruising, one of the Invader's crew made an error and left his position, causing his aircraft to struck the top of the Invader registered 41-39310. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in a desert and mountainous area located in the Old Dad Mountains, in the Mojave National Preserve. Both crew members were killed. The other plane was able to land without further incident but with one engine inoperative.
Crew:
1st Lt Alexander Aros,
A1c Patrick W. Hughes.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-15-DK near Winslow

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1951
Operator:
Registration:
43-49384
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
MSN:
15200/26645
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
An engine failed in flight, forcing the crew to abandon the aircraft and to bail out. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in a desert area located in the region of Winslow. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact while all crew members were found uninjured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-5 in Winona: 19 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
17145
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Oakland – Winslow
MSN:
12335
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
On a flight from Oakland NAS, the crew was descending to Winslow Airport in light snow when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances some five miles south of Winona. Four passengers were injured while all 19 other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-2-112 near Wanona: 9 killed

Date & Time: Mar 1, 1938 at 2130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC13789
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
San Francisco – Winslow
MSN:
1299
YOM:
1934
Flight number:
TW008
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Captain / Total flying hours:
6878
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1621
Circumstances:
The airplane departed San Francisco Airport around 1930LT in good weather conditions. Two hours later, weather conditions deteriorated and the crew requested to ATC to divert to Los Angeles. At this time, storm activity and icing conditions were reported by the crew. Two minutes later, the aircraft crashed on Mt Buena Vista located in the Yosemite National Park, near Wawona. SAR operations were quickly initiated but later suspended as no trace of the aircraft nor the nine occupants was found. Walkers found the wreckage on 12 June 1938.
Crew:
John D. Graves, pilot,
Clyde W. Wallace, copilot,
Martha Mae Wilson, stewardess.
Passengers:
Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Walts,
Victor Krause,
Tracy Dirlam,
Mary Louise Dirlam,
N. N. Salisbury.
Probable cause:
According to the US Bureau of Air Commerce, the pilot must have temporarily lost his bearings due to a change in the direction of the wind and a sharp increase in its velocity, unknown to him, leading to confusion as to his position relative to the Fresno radio range course. The subsequent crash occurred in darkness and, apparently, in an area of heavy snowfall. This resulted in a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).

Crash of a Northrop Alpha 4A in Newhall

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1934 at 2040 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC999Y
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Winslow – Los Angeles
MSN:
4
YOM:
1931
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a night cargo flight from Winslow to Los Angeles, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, the pilot was found safe a day later.