Crash of a Grumman SA-16B Albatross in the Kings Canyon National Park

Date & Time: May 25, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
Operator:
Registration:
51-7173
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
G-223
Location:
Kings Canyon National Park
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to SAR operations for a missing Beechcraft Bonanza registered N8449A. En route, an engine failed. All five crew members decided to bail out and abandoned the aircraft that crashed in the Kings Park National Park. All five occupants were recovered uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Grumman SA-16A Albatross in Moji: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
Operator:
Registration:
51-062
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Beppu – Ashiya
MSN:
G-141
YOM:
1952
Location:
Moji
Kyūshū
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
En route from Beppu to Ashiya AFB, the seaplane hit the slope of a mountain located three km southwest of Moji, killing all eight occupants. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited due to marginal weather conditions.

Crash of a Grumman SA-16A Albatross in the Dolomite Canyon

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1952 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
Operator:
Registration:
51-001
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Mountain Home - San Diego
MSN:
G-74
YOM:
1951
Location:
Panamint Springs
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, to San Diego. While cruising by night at an altitude of 11,000 feet, one of the engine failed. All six crew members decided to bail out and abandoned the aircraft that crashed on the slope of the Towne Peak (7,287 feet high) located in the Dolomite canyon, in the Death Valley, about seven miles northeast of Panamint Springs. All six occupants were found unarmed while the aircraft was destroyed. It was later reported that the remaining engine was running normally at impact.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Grumman SA-16A Albatross in Tsushima

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
Operator:
Registration:
49-083
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
G-41
Location:
Tsushima
Kyūshū
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances at Tsushima Airport, on Tsushima Island. Crew fate unknown.
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