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Crash of a Boeing 247D in Portland: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1933
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC13345
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Portland – The Dalles
MSN:
1727
YOM:
1933
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Portland-Intl Airport, while climbing in foggy conditions, the twin engine aircraft lost height and crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. Four passengers were killed while six other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Ford 5 in Eugene: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1933
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC431H
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Portland – Eugene – Medford
MSN:
5-AT-098
YOM:
1931
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The three engine airplane was ready for a schedule service from Portland to Medford. As the weather was iffy, all passengers tickets were canceled but the crew has to deliver the mail. The airplane departed Portland-Swan Island Airport at 1015LT bound for Eugene. Approaching Eugene, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with low clouds but was able to land without further problems. After the mail was deplaned, the crew was cleared for takeoff. Following a normal takeoff run, the pilot-in-command initiated the rotation when the right engine failed. The airplane stalled, collided with a runway light and eventually crashed onto a vacant house. All three crew members were injured, both pilots seriously. The following day, they both died from their injuries. The aircraft named 'Dawson' was destroyed.
Crew:
Harold Adams, pilot, †
Kenneth Householder, copilot, †
Cornelia Pederman, stewardess.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine at takeoff.

Crash of a Boeing 40B-4 in Fresno

Date & Time: Jun 2, 1932 at 0157 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC10348
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bakersfield – Fresno
MSN:
1429
YOM:
1930
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Fresno at night at an altitude of 2,000 feet, the airplane caught fire. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in a field when the aircraft crashed and burnt. The pilot evacuated safely and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Boeing 40B-4 in Burbank: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 16, 1932 at 2337 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC5389
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
San Diego - Burbank
MSN:
1042
YOM:
1928
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On approach to Burbank Airport, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to the night and foggy conditions. On final, the airplane went out of control and crashed, killing all three occupants.

Crash of a Boeing 40B-4 off Oakland: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1931 at 0400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC10347
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Oakland – Medford
MSN:
1428
YOM:
1930
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Oakland Airport, while climbing at night, the pilot encountered an unexpected situation. He attempted to return to the airport when he lost control of the airplane that crashed in the San Francisco Bay, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Boeing 40B-4 in Burbank: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 1931 at 2330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC5390
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
San Diego – Burbank
MSN:
1044
YOM:
1928
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from San Diego, the pilot initiated a night approach to Hollywood-Burbank Airport. The visibility was poor due to the night and foggy conditions. On approach, the airplane impacted the slope of a mountain located in the La Tuna Canyon Park, about 5 km northeast of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Boeing 40B-4 in Crescent Lake

Date & Time: Jan 1, 1931
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC743K
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Medford – Seattle
MSN:
1150
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Medford to Seattle, the pilot lost his orientation due to foggy conditions. He attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in an uninhabited area. The pilot walked for about 24 hours in deep snow to find help.

Crash of a Boeing 40B-4A near Gorman: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1930
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC5340
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Los Angeles – Bakersfield – Fresno – San Jose – San Francisco – Medford – Vancouver – Seattle
MSN:
1036
YOM:
1928
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
En route from Bakersfield to Fresno (route CAM 8), the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls and fog. While cruising at low altitude in limited visibility, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the Tehachapi Mountain Range. The wreckage was found six miles east of Gorman and all three occupants were killed.
Crew:
Flavius A. Donaldson, pilot,
George A. Rogers, mechanic.
Passenger:
Jean Markow.

Crash of a Boeing 40B-4 in San Jose

Date & Time: May 9, 1930
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC740K
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1147
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taking from San Jose Airport, the aircraft collided with a wagon and crashed near the runway. The pilot was slightly injured and there was no casualty on ground.