Country
Crash of a Stinson SM-6000B in Nicaragua
Date & Time:
Jan 15, 1937
Registration:
NC475Y
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
5012
YOM:
1931
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The three engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a wooded area in Nicaragua while taking part to SAR operations after another SM-6000B from the same operator was missing since two days. Both crew members Gorden Beach Kingsley (pilot) and Edwin Marvin Kingsley (mechanic) were found and rescued 21 days later.
Crash of a Stinson SM-6000B in Bonanza: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Jan 13, 1937
Registration:
NC484Y
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Managua - Bonanza
MSN:
5020
YOM:
1931
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot Earl Willet Kingsley, sole on board, departed Managua Airport at 0700LT on a cargo flight to the mines of Bonanza. Approaching the destination, the three engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the jungle. As the airplane failed to arrive in Bonanza, SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned as no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was found. The wreckage was discovered in a wooded area near Bonanza in April 1948.
Crash of a Stinson SM-6000B in Pittsburgh: 10 killed
Date & Time:
Sep 5, 1936 at 2200 LT
Registration:
NC11175
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh
MSN:
5025
YOM:
1931
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The airplane was chartered to perform a night local sightseeing flight over Pittsburgh with 10 passengers and one pilot on board. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, all three engine stopped. The airplane stalled and crashed. A female passenger aged 17 survived with serious injuries while 10 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
All three engines failed after the fuel supply was cut off, and there were indications that the pilot had then allowed the Stinson to lose flying speed while attempting an off-airport forced landing, the accident occurring in darkness. It was considered possible by the US Bureau of Air Commerce that the passenger who had been sitting on two flare containers in the cockpit had precipitated the crash by inadvertently switching off the fuel selector valve with her heel.
Crash of a Stinson SM-6000B in Burlington
Date & Time:
Apr 8, 1936
Operator:
Registration:
NC976W
MSN:
5007
YOM:
1931
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. Occupant fate unknown.
Crash of a Stinson SM-6000 in Costa Mesa
Date & Time:
Jun 5, 1935
Registration:
NC977W
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
5008
YOM:
1931
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed for unknown reasons in Costa Mesa while approaching to land at Santa Ana-Orange County Airport. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and there were no casualties.
Crash of a Stinson SM-6000B in Nilwood: 2 killed
Date & Time:
May 28, 1935 at 2226 LT
Operator:
Registration:
NC10894
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chicago – Springfield – Saint Louis – Memphis – Jackson – New Orleans
MSN:
5050
YOM:
1931
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The three engine aircraft departed Springfield Airport at 2200LT on a mail flight to New Orleans, carrying one passenger and one pilot. Twenty-six minutes into the flight, while approaching a wooded area, the pilot realized he was too low and initiated a right turn to avoid the trees when the tip of the right wing impacted the ground. The aircraft went out of control and crashed some 6 km northwest of Nilwood. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is the opinion of the Accident Board that the probable cause of this accident was an unintentional collision with the ground while flying at too law altitude at night.
