Lockheed P-3 Orion

The aircraft was engaged in a local flight and was carrying 17 passengers and a crew of four. After takeoff from Cocos Island Airport, the crew climbed to 5,000 feet then reduced his altitude for a low pass over the airport. Approaching the airport at a speed of 380 knots and at a height of about 300 feet, the pilot-in-command increased engine power in a way to gain height when the aircraft lost several pieces from the left wing. Due to severe vibrations and problems of controllability, the crew decided to attempt an emergency landing near the airport. The aircraft struck the ground, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in shallow water. A passenger was killed after being hit by propeller blades that punctured the fuselage. All 20 other occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The aircraft departed Moffett AFB on a combined survey mission over the Pacific Ocean with a second USN Orion registered 159325 carrying a crew of 13. While cruising at an altitude of 3,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, both aircraft collided and crashed in the sea. Few debris were found floating on water about 60 miles southwest of San Diego and all 27 crew members were missing and never recovered.

The aircraft departed Moffett AFB on a combined survey mission over the Pacific Ocean with a second USN Orion registered 158930 carrying a crew of 14. While cruising at an altitude of 3,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, both aircraft collided and crashed in the sea. Few debris were found floating on water about 60 miles southwest of San Diego and all 27 crew members were missing and never recovered.

The crew was taking part to an airshow at Crows Landing-Aux Field AFB and practicing touch-and-go. For unknown reasons, the aircraft landed hard, went out of control and came to rest, bursting into flames. All four crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.

For unknown reasons, the aircraft landed hard at Whidbey Island NAS and was considered as damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.

Crashed in unknown circumstances while approaching an airport somewhere in Iran. Occupant fate unknown. The accident occurred somewhere in February 1985 (exact date unknown).

The four engine airplane departed Barbers Point NAS on a night training exercise consisting of a support of ships cruising off Kauai Island. While cruising in limited visibility at an altitude of 3,000 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain and disintegrated on impact. The wreckage was found on a steep ridge (Kalepa Ridge between Honopu and Kalalau valleys) on the Na Pali Coast of Kauai. All 14 occupants were killed. The pilot failed to realize his altitude was insufficient and did not see the mountain.

For unknown reasons, the four engine airplane landed on its belly at Barbers Point NAS. It slid for few dozen yards then veered off runway and came to rest, bursting into flames. All occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

While conducting a Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization check the pilot at controls was allowed to perform his first attempt at shooting an obstacle approach at Whidbey Island NAS. This maneuver was inadequately briefed by the pilot in command during the mission brief. The pilot in command, having great confidence in the pilot at controls, allowed him to conduct this maneuver without prior demonstration. After pushing over for the approach an excessive sink rate developed. Upon determination that the approach was getting dangerous, power was applied and the nose pulled up. Due to the combination of slow approach speed, late and in inadequate power application, the excessive sink rate was not arrested, resulting in a hard landing followed by failure of the starboard wing.

For unknown reasons, the four engine airplane made a wheels up landing at Barbers Point NAS. All six crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.