Crash of a Ford 4 in Izabal: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 7, 1935
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane was performing a cargo flight, carrying two crew members and a load of chicle. It crashed in unknown circumstances near the village of Izabal. A pilot was killed while the second occupant was injured.

Crash of a Ford 4 in Gadsden

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1935
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC7863
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4-AT-048
YOM:
1928
Location:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and there were no casualties.

Crash of a Ford 4 in Palma Soriano: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1934 at 0730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NM-7
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Havana - Santiago de Cuba
MSN:
4-AT-063
YOM:
1929
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On approach to Santiago de Cuba, the pilots encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility. In rain falls, the three engine aircraft impacted the slope of a mountain located near Palma Soriano, north of Santiago. Both pilots and two passengers were killed. First accident involving Cubana, the national carrier of Cuba, since its creation in 1929.
Crew:
Torres Navarro, pilot,
Emeterio Vorilla, copilot.

Crash of a Ford 4 in Flat

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1934
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
NC8403
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4-AT-065
YOM:
1929
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful cargo flight, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions upon arrival with strong winds. Upon touchdown, the airplane landed hard, causing the undercarriage to be torn off. The airplane went out of control, came to rest and was damaged beyond repair. Both pilots evacuated safely. The airplane was carrying spare parts for tractors and it is believed that its total weight was within limit upon landing.

Crash of a Ford 4 in Tegucigalpa

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1934
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
NC7120
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4-AT-034
YOM:
1928
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport, while in initial climb, the three engine airplane collided with power lines, stalled and crashed in a ravine located about 300 metres past the runway end. An Italian passenger tried to escape and jumped out the cabin but fall in the ravine with his kid in his arms. The father was killed and his kid was injured. All 10 other occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It is believed that the takeoff was initiated with a tailwind component and the left main wheel or the left wing impacted an electric power line during initial climb. Some debris such as an engine (third image) were found 83 years later by a depth of 65 feet.
Crew:
Eugene 'Smokey' Rhoads, pilot,
Mr. Holmberg, mechanic.

Source and photos via Amado Aguiluz Ferrari, Coronel José Alfredo San Martín and Carlos Rosa Mejía.

Crash of a Ford 4 into the Managua Lake: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 18, 1933
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC4806
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
4-AT-018
YOM:
1928
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Managua Airport, while climbing to a height of 2,000 feet, the three engine aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed into the Managua Lake, off the capital city. All three occupants, employed by an American oil company, were killed.

Crash of a Ford 4 in Neodesha: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1933
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
NC7686
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tulsa – Winnipeg
MSN:
4-AT-044
YOM:
1928
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
En route from Tulsa to Winnipeg, while cruising south of Topeka, the crew encountered technical problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The pilot reduced his altitude and elected to land in an open field when the aircraft stalled and crashed 11 km south of Neodesha. Both pilots and five passengers were killed. All occupants were members of the Winnipeg Toilers basketball team.
Crew:
Avlie H. Hakes, pilot,
H. E. Eggens, copilot.

Crash of a Ford 4 in Oklahoma City: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1931
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC7119
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tulsa – Oklahoma City – Amarillo
MSN:
4-AT-033
YOM:
1928
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff from Oklahoma City Airport, while performing a position flight to Amarillo with one engine inoperative. The copilot was killed while the captain was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Takeoff attempted with one engine inoperative.

Crash of a Ford 4 in Jennerstown

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1930
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC9611
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4-AT-054
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On the evening of Friday 19DEC1930, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility due to blizzard. He completed an emergency landing in an open field located near Jennerstown, Pennsylvania. The aircraft passed the night in the field and on Saturday morning 20DEC1930, the pilot started all three engines to re-position the aircraft to its base. Shortly after takeoff from the field, at a height of about 10 feet, the right engine failed. The pilot elected to gain height but due to an insufficient speed, the aircraft did not get enough altitude and impacted trees with its right wing. The airplane stalled and crashed on the ground. The pilot evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after liftoff.