Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide on Mt Soho

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1965
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-AKS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
MSN:
6647
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was involved in an aerial photography mission out from Wellington. En route, the pilot encountered whiteout conditions and lost his orientation when the airplane struck the slope of Mt Soho located about 9 km north of Arrowtown, Otago. All five occupants were rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.65 Consul off Marina di Fuscaldo

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
I-SAFI
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rome – Palermo
MSN:
5170
YOM:
1947
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was involved in an aerial photography mission between Rome and Palermo, carrying two photographers and a pilot. While flying along the shore, one of the engine failed. The pilot decided to ditch the aircraft off Marina di Fuscaldo. While all three occupants were quickly rescued by the crew of a boat, the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Boeing KC-97G-29-DO Stratotanker off Hamilton: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
52-2773
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hamilton - Hamilton
MSN:
16804
YOM:
1952
Country:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
On 29 June 1964, a Douglas HC-54 (serial number 42-72590, of the USAF 57th Air Rescue Squadron) and a Boeing HC-97 (serial number 52-2773, USAF 55th Air Rescue Squadron) were involved in an aerial photography mission near Kindley Air Base, Bermuda. To support the NASA Gemini program, it was necessary to train pararescue personnel in the delivery and installation of flotation collars on the Gemini' space capsule. This required placing personnel performing temporary duty at Bermuda where water jumps were to be conducted. In conjunction with this training, a requirement existed to support preparation of a film concerning the "pararescue" mission. Since the two requirements appeared compatible, they were combined into one mission. The HC-97 took off at 11:05 local time, and the HC-54 took off at 11:10. The weather was 2,000 feet scattered clouds, 2,500 feet scattered clouds, visibility 9 miles, and winds variable at 8 knots. Both aircraft arrived in the drop area and because of the clouds, decided to fly the mission at 1,700 feet (below the clouds). Aboard each aircraft were, photographers and pararescuemen. There were also photographers aboard the boats in the drop area to photograph the drop from the surface. As they had briefed before the flight the aircraft established themselves in proper positions. The first run had the HC-97 taking photos as the HC-54 (which was slightly forward and below) began deploying the pararescuemen. Right-hand patterns were flown, and photos were to be shot with the sun behind the cameras, and at an angle that would not reveal any of the land surface in the photos. After a few passes over the drop area with the pararescuemen being deployed from the HC-54, the aircraft changed positions. This placed the HC-54 slightly ahead and below and to the left of the HC-97. After flying one dry run and again in the right-hand pattern, two pararescuemen deployed from the HC-97. Seconds later, the two aircraft collided. The HC-54D suddenly banked to the right, colliding with the HC-97G, hitting the wing or midsection of the HC-97G and sheering both its wing and the tail section, and both aircraft immediately plunged towards the water. The three boats in the area immediately began a search for any survivors. Both aircraft were destroyed, and there were no survivors.
Source: Facebook page Bermuda Air Collision
Probable cause:
The primary cause of the accident was undetermined, but Air Force investigators concluded that probable cause was an incapacitation of the HC-54 pilot. An autopsy revealed cardiovascular issues which may have caused acute chest pains.

Crash of a Douglas HC-54D off Hamilton: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
42-72590
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hamilton - Hamilton
MSN:
10695
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
On 29 June 1964, a Douglas HC-54 (serial number 42-72590, of the USAF 57th Air Rescue Squadron) and a Boeing HC-97 (serial number 52-2773, USAF 55th Air Rescue Squadron) were involved in an aerial photography mission near Kindley Air Base, Bermuda. To support the NASA Gemini program, it was necessary to train pararescue personnel in the delivery and installation of flotation collars on the Gemini' space capsule. This required placing personnel performing temporary duty at Bermuda where water jumps were to be conducted. In conjunction with this training, a requirement existed to support preparation of a film concerning the "pararescue" mission. Since the two requirements appeared compatible, they were combined into one mission. The HC-97 took off at 11:05 local time, and the HC-54 took off at 11:10. The weather was 2,000 feet scattered clouds, 2,500 feet scattered clouds, visibility 9 miles, and winds variable at 8 knots. Both aircraft arrived in the drop area and because of the clouds, decided to fly the mission at 1,700 feet (below the clouds). Aboard each aircraft were, photographers and pararescuemen. There were also photographers aboard the boats in the drop area to photograph the drop from the surface. As they had briefed before the flight the aircraft established themselves in proper positions. The first run had the HC-97 taking photos as the HC-54 (which was slightly forward and below) began deploying the pararescuemen. Right-hand patterns were flown, and photos were to be shot with the sun behind the cameras, and at an angle that would not reveal any of the land surface in the photos. After a few passes over the drop area with the pararescuemen being deployed from the HC-54, the aircraft changed positions. This placed the HC-54 slightly ahead and below and to the left of the HC-97. After flying one dry run and again in the right-hand pattern, two pararescuemen deployed from the HC-97. Seconds later, the two aircraft collided. The HC-54D suddenly banked to the right, colliding with the HC-97G, hitting the wing or midsection of the HC-97G and sheering both its wing and the tail section, and both aircraft immediately plunged towards the water. The three boats in the area immediately began a search for any survivors. Both aircraft were destroyed, and there were no survivors.
Source: Facebook page Bermuda Air Collision
Probable cause:
The primary cause of the accident was undetermined, but Air Force investigators concluded that probable cause was an incapacitation of the HC-54 pilot. An autopsy revealed cardiovascular issues which may have caused acute chest pains.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide near Edale

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1963
Registration:
G-ALBC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Middleton Saint George – Birmingham
MSN:
6572
YOM:
1948
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on a flight from Middleton St. George to Birmingham, and the crew of one pilot and one photographer planned to complete several photographic survey jobs en route. Shortly after sunset, when flying at 2,000 ft. a.m.s.l. at an estimated position five miles west of Sheffield and near high ground rising to 2,000 ft. a.m.s.l., the pilot decided that the fuel remaining was insufficient to reach Birmingham with the existing headwind of 40 knots. He established contact with Manchester Approach Control and was given permission to divert to Manchester Airport on a special VFR clearance "not above 3,500 ft. a.m.s.l. on a QNH of 1013 mbs., clear of all cloud, and in sight of the surface". Shortly after this, when on a north-westerly heading to intercept a QDM of 270°M to the 'ME' (Manchester) beacon, the pilot saw hill tops about four miles ahead and commenced climbing from 2,000 ft. to 3,500 ft. The pilot states that the aircraft entered cloud at 2,500 ft. and that, on reaching 2,700 ft., he noticed that the vertical speed indicator was showing a descent of 2,000 ft./min. He states that he applied full power and eased the nose up but, after this, he remembers nothing further until he regained consciousness lying on the ground, alongside the photographer in front of the wrecked aircraft.
Probable cause:
Examination at the scene of the accident showed that the aircraft had struck the ground, in a normal cruising attitude and at a low engine power setting, at a point 1,990 ft. a.m.s.l. An aftercast of the weather conditions showed that the cloud base over the hills at the time of the accident probably varied between 1,800 and 3,000 ft. a.m.s.l., the wind at 2,000 to 3,000 ft. was 240°/45-50 knots, and horizontal visibility was 1 1/2-3 n.m. with some turbulence over high ground. "Sigmet" warnings broadcast by Preston A.T.C.C, and in force at the time of the accident, gave warning that locally severe turbulence, up to FL 100 over high ground in the Preston FIR had been forecast. From the information available, however, it was not possible to determine whether significant downdrafts existed in the area where the crash occurred.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Sharya: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1963 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-65706
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kostroma - Kostroma
MSN:
184 268 01
YOM:
1947
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
8754
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Kostroma Airport at 0730LT with one passenger and seven crew on board. They were in charge to make aerial photography of the railroad from Neya to Svesha via Manturovo and Sharya. After two hours and ten minutes of flight, the left engine failed. The captain decided to divert to Sharya when the right engine overheated shortly later. In such conditions, he decided to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane lost height, struck trees and crashed in a dense wooded area located on km 711, some 600 meters from the railroad. The passenger was unhurt while all seven crew members were injured. Eighteen hours later, the captain died from his injuries. The airplane was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine in flight due to the dysfunction of the carburetor. The high outside temperature was considered as a contributing factor as the crew was unable to maintain a safe altitude on one engine in such conditions.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson in Belo Horizonte: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1963 at 1140 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-BAY
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Belo Horizonte - Caratinga
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Belo Horizonte-Pampulha Airport on a photogrammetry flight to Caratinga, Minas Gerais. Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the airplane lost height, crashed on a bulldozer parked near the runway end and burst into flames. All four occupants were killed.
Crew:
Jacy Machado, pilot,
Stenio Benedito dos Santos, navigator.
Passengers.
Rogério Sixel de Paula, engineer,
Ronald Sutter Silveira, engineer.

Crash of a Max Holste M.H. 1521M Broussard near Alpe d'Huez: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1961 at 1630 LT
Operator:
Registration:
F-BJLR
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Alpe d'Huez - Alpe d'Huez
MSN:
50C
YOM:
1958
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft departed Alpe d'Huez Aerodrome with one pilot and two employees from Europe 1, one journalist and one sound engineer, who wanted to make a reportage about the recent avalanches. While approaching the mountain located above Alpe d'Huez, the aircraft was caught by severe downdrafts and crashed in a rocky area located at an altitude of 2,070 meters. A passenger was killed while both other occupants were seriously injured. Few hours later, they died from their injuries.
Crew:
Mathieu Conti.
Passengers:
Pierre Nicoli, sound engineer,
Francis Lauga, journalist.
Probable cause:
Loss of control due to severe downdrafts in altitude.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56A LodeStar in Weeks Lake

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
CF-CPA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2177
YOM:
1941
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing an aerial photography mission when he encountered engine problems. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in the tundra some 100 km northwest of Schefferville, Quebec. The twin engine airplane slid on its belly for dozen meters before coming to rest in a swampy area. While all occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was abandoned on site. It was recovered for rebuilt in 2007.
Probable cause:
Technical failure in flight.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 near Sukpay

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-65708
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
184 286 02
YOM:
1948
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was apparently involved in an aerial photo mission when the left engine caught fire in flight. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency belly landing in the tundra. The aircraft came to rest about 82 km southeast of Sukpay, near the Aksu River, in the Sikhot-Alin Mountain Range. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Sources & photos:
http://aleonkin.livejournal.com/341110.html
https://napev.livejournal.com/201959.html
Probable cause:
Engine fire in flight.