Crash of a Sikorsky S-42 off Antilla: 17 killed

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1944 at 1320 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC823M
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Juan – Antilla – Miami
MSN:
4201
YOM:
1934
Flight number:
PA218
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Captain / Total flying hours:
1523
Captain / Total hours on type:
1017.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
380
Copilot / Total hours on type:
45
Aircraft flight hours:
12389
Circumstances:
At about 1318LT, the pilot taxied to the take-off position. The weather was clear and the ceiling unlimited with a wind estimated to be 20 knots from approximately 100 degree. The water was choppy with no ground swells. With a gradual opening of the throttles to 33 1/2 inches of manifold pressure, the plane appeared to go on the step normally and was making approximately 75 knots. The captain then requested an increase in manifold pressure from 33 1/2 inches to 35 inches and upon attaining a speed estimated as between 78 and 80 knots, the plane left the surface of the water. Captain Williams stated that as the plane rose into the air to a height of 10 or 12 feet, he relaxed back pressure slightly, in order to gain speed, whereupon the plane seemed to want to go back on the water so he pulled back on the yoke. When it became obvious to him that the plane was going to go back on the water anyway, he dropped the nose quickly to "flatten out." After striking, bow first, the plane left the water in a slightly nose-high attitude, rose higher than previously, then returned to the water at a much steeper angle. The third time, the plane rose out of control to a height of approximately 25 feet, and in a steeper angle of climb than previously. It then nosed down at a sharp angle and struck the water violently. The nose of the plane struck the water with such force as to cause the hull to fracture and completely separate at a point just aft of the pilot's compartment. The after portion of the plane, which included passenger compartments A, B, C, and D, pitched forward and came to rest in a nearly inverted position with the forward portion fully submerged. Seventeen passengers were killed while all 14 other occupants were rescued.
Probable cause:
This investigation revealed nothing in the conduct of the flight from the time it left Miami until the time of the plane's leaving the water in the attempted take-off from Antilla, which would indicate a probable cause of the accident. It appears that a degree of laxity characterized this flight as was evidence by the crew's failure to comply with the proper cockpit check procedure and by the lack of an understanding between the crew members regarding the seating arrangement of the passengers. However, as previously stated, these items are not believed to have contributed to the cause of the accident. Considerable significance must be attached to Captain Williams' own description of his handling of the flight and engine controls is during the attempted take-off and subsequent maneuvers of the aircraft. Therefore, in summing up the findings of this investigation, it appears that the pilot failed to keep the airplane airborne after it had attained fixing speed and left the water and that a safe recovery might have been effected at the time the airplane first returned to the water had the pilot used proper technique. These errors in all probability were due largely to the pilot's limited experience in handling S42's. Based on the evidence produced through this investigation, loss of control during take-off was found to be the probable cause of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Sikorsky S-42B in Manaus

Date & Time: Jul 27, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC16736
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4209
YOM:
1936
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The seaplane christened 'Bermuda Clipper' was fully loaded with passengers and crew, ready for departure from Manaus. A fire developed in the carburetor of the No. 1 engine. The pilot directed the flight mechanic to pull the fire extinguisher handle. The mechanic pulled the fuel dump handle by mistake. Flaming gas fell from the carburetor onto the gas on the water, igniting it, and causing the loss of the plane.
Source:
http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19430727-0

Crash of a Sikorsky S-42B off San Juan: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1941 at 1748 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC15376
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami – Antilla – Port-au-Prince – San Pedro de Macorís – San Juan – Buenos Aires
MSN:
4206
YOM:
1936
Flight number:
PA203
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
11384
Captain / Total hours on type:
1500.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
583
Aircraft flight hours:
7832
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight, the crew completed the approach to the San Juan harbor in good weather conditions. Upon landing on water in a nose down attitude, the seaplane plunged into the water and came to rest. Two passengers were killed while all 25 other occupants were rescued.
Crew:
Charles A. Lorber, pilot,
Harvey E. Breaux, copilot,
John Donovan Donnelley, flight engineer,
W. P. Mahoney, radio navigator,
Joe Catala, steward,
A. E. Calligari, steward.
Source & photos: http://www.webstart.com/jed/house/NC15376/
Probable cause:
It was concluded that the aircraft was landed in an unduly nose-low attitude, and second, that at the time of first contact while in that attitude, it was moving sideways relative to the water. It appears from the record that there were no extraneous turning forces which might have been caused by non-uniform application of power or by faulty rudder tab setting. On the basis of the foregoing findings and the entire record available to is at this time, investigation board found that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the captain to exercise requisite caution and skill in landing. The smooth surface of the water which rendered difficult the captains depth perception as well as the exact determination of any lateral movement of the aircraft, constituted a substantial contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Sikorsky S-42B into the Pacific Ocean: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1938 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC16734
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Oakland – Honolulu – Kingman Reef – Pago Pago – Auckland
MSN:
4207
YOM:
1936
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a mail flight from Oakland, California, to Auckland, New Zealand, with intermediate stops in Honolulu, Kingman Reef and Pago Pago. One hour after his departure from Pago Pago, in the early hours, the crew encountered technical problems and was forced to dump the fuel. Apparently, an oil leak occurred on the engine n°4 that was shut down. The captain decided to return to Pago Pago but the seaplane named 'Samoan Clipper' crashed into the sea some 120 km south of Pago Pago. Few debris were found floating on water and all seven occupants were killed, among them Captain Edwin C. Musick, first official Captain by Pan Am.
Crew:
Edwin C. Musick, pilot,
Cecil G. Sellers, pilot,
P. S. Brunk, copilot,
F. J. MacLean, navigator,
J. W. Stickrod, flight engineer,
J. A. Brooks, machanic,
T. D. Findley, radio operator.
Probable cause:
It was theorized that gasoline vapors had become trapped by a wing flap when it was extended after the crew began dumping fuel in preparation for landing, causing an in-flight fire and/or explosion.

Crash of a Sikorsky S-42B in Port of Spain: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1936 at 0510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC824M
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami – Port of Spain – Natal – Rio de Janeiro – Buenos Aires
MSN:
4202
YOM:
1935
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
After takeoff from the harbor of Port of Spain, while climbing at night, the captain saw a boat and initiated a sharp turn to avoid the collision. Nevertheless, the right pontoon impacted the boat and the aircraft crashed into the bay. A crew member and two passengers drowned while all 22 other occupants were rescued. The aircraft named 'Puerto Rican Clipper' was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited because of the night.