Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation

The airplane was completing a humanitarian flight to Uli, carrying a load of 10,5 tons of medicines. On final approach, the pilot-in-command encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane struck the ground and crashed in flames. All four occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Shortly after takeoff from Panama City-Tocumen Airport, while in initial climb, the four engine stalled and crashed in a huge explosion near the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.

On final approach to Port Harcourt Airport, the four engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances few hundred yards short of runway threshold. All five occupants were killed. They were completing a cargo mission on behalf of the Government of Biafra.

On final approach to Saigon-Tan Son Nhat Airport, following an uneventful cargo flight from Manila, the four engine aircraft collided with a US Air Force McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom registered 65-0861. Its crew (two pilots) was returning to Saigon following a supply mission. After the collision, both aircraft went out of control and crashed about 6 km from the runway threshold. While both pilots of the Phantom were able to eject safely, all seven occupants on board the Constellation were killed.

The approach to Kotzebue-Wien Memorial Airport was completed in whiteout conditions with a very limited visibility. Following a 'normal' approach, the airplane belly landed and slid for few hundred yards before coming to rest. All 32 occupants were evacuated while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The aircraft was on a delivery flight from Oakland to its new operator in Buenos Aires. While descending to Lima-Callao Airport, three of the four engine stopped. The pilot-in-command reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft few km off shore. The crew of a fishing vessel was able to evacuate all five crew members while the aircraft sank and was lost.

While rolling on a taxiway, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane sank on its belly and came to rest. All three technicians on board were uninjured while the aircraft christened 'Star of Chillon' was considered as damaged beyond repair.

The crew was performing a cargo flight from Los Angeles to Chicago. While cruising at the assigned altitude of 13,000 by night, the four engine airplane struck the south face of California Peak (13,849 feet high) located about 21 miles northeast of Alamosa, Colorado. The wreckage was found a day later 150 feet below the summit and all three crew members have been killed.
Crash photo by Mark Hunt, copilot's son.

Trans World Airlines, Inc., Flight 42, (TW 42), a Boeing 707, N748TW, and Eastern Air Lines, Inc., Flight 853, (EA 853), a Lockheed 1049C, N6218C, were involved in a midair collision over the Carmel, New York VORTAC while en route to the New York City area at approximately 1619 e.s.t., December 4, 1965. TW 42 departed San Francisco, California, and was approaching the New York area from the northwest for an approach and landing at the John F. Kennedy International Airport. The flight was on an IFR flight plan at an assigned altitude of 11,000 feet mean sea level (m.s.l.). EA 853 departed Boston, Massachusetts, and was approaching the New York area from the northeast for an approach and landing at the Newark Airport. This flight was on an IFR flight plan at an assigned altitude of 10,000 feet m.s.l. As EA 853 was approaching the Cannel VORTAC on a southwesterly heading, the first officer saw TW 42 at his two o'clock position. Because he believed the jet was at his altitude and on a collision course he called "Look Out" and grasped the control wheel to assist the captain in a pull up. At approximately the same time, the captain of TW 42 observed EA 853 at his ten o'clock position on what he believed to be a collision course. He rolled into a right turn and pulled back on the yoke. He decided this maneuver would not clear EA 853 and he, assisted by his first officer, attempted to reverse the turn by rolling to the left and pushing on the yoke. The aircraft collided at an altitude of approximately 11,000 feet m.s.l. While cruising at an altitude of some 10,000 feet over Carmel on approach to Newark, the four engine aircraft collided with a TWA Boeing 707-131B registered N748TW. While the crew of the B707 was able to complete an emergency landing at JFK Airport despite the fact that a piece of 7.5 meters from the left wing was torn off, the crew of the Constellation first lost control of his aircraft but then regain control and was able to make an emergency landing in a prairie located on Titicus mountain, near Carmel. Three passengers died, plus the Constellation's pilot, Captain Charles J. White, who had returned to the aircraft's cabin to help the last passenger.

The crew obtained a special ferry permit to fly to Ardmore Airport with one engine inoperative. After touchdown on a wet runway, the airplane encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest into a ditch. All three crew members were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, it was dark with a limited visibility due to fog. It was reported that between 1855LT and 0040LT, 0,61 inch of rain fell at Ardmore Airport.