Crash of a Douglas C-54D-10-DC Skymaster in Akron

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1959 at 2010 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
44-9059
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bolling AFB – Akron – Travis AFB
MSN:
27285
YOM:
1944
Location:
Akron-Canton
Ohio
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane departed Bolling AFB on a flight to Travis AFB with an intermediate stop at Akron-Canton Airport. On short final, the airplane was too low and collided with an embankment located 50 feet short of runway. Upon impact, the undercarriage were sheared off the airplane crash landed on its belly and skidded for about 300 metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. All 10 crew members escaped with various injuries and the airplane was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Pilot error.

Crash of a Douglas VC-47D in Holyoke: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1955 at 2346 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-48276
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Bolling - Westover
MSN:
14092/25537
YOM:
1944
Location:
Holyoke
Connecticut
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While approaching Westover AFB on a flight from Bolling AFB, the crew encountered engine problems. As he lost height, the pilot-in-command elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed into the Connecticut River in Holyoke, about 4 miles from the airbase. Four crew members were rescued while four others were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the engine problems were caused by carburetor incing.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119F-FA Flying Boxcar in Lothian: 18 killed

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1954 at 2229 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
51-7993
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Oklahoma City – Bolling – Mitchel
MSN:
10732
YOM:
1951
Location:
Lothian
Maryland
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
Circumstances:
While cruising under VFR in poor weather conditions, the crew contacted ATC and requested the permission to continue under IFR. Awaiting the permission, the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in Lothian, about 14 miles east of Andrews AFB. All 18 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that weather conditions were poor at the time of the accident and that the crew should never start the flight under VFR rules. While cruising under VFR rules in IFR conditions, the crew lost control of the aircraft.

Douglas A-26C-55-DT Invader in Bolling AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Douglas A-26 Invader
Operator:
Registration:
44-35992
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bolling - Bolling
MSN:
29271
YOM:
1944
Location:
Bolling AFB
Washington DC
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in the vicinity of the Bolling AFB while performing a local training sortie. Two crew members were killed while a third occupant was injured.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45F Expeditor off Milwaukee: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1950 at 1840 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Registration:
44-87112
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Bolling - Milwaukee
MSN:
8371
YOM:
1945
Location:
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was approaching Milwaukee-General Billy Mitchell Airport on a flight from Bolling AFB when it entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed into Lake Michigan, some 8 km east of Milwaukee. The airplane was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Crew:
Maj John D. Schindler, pilot,
Col Ben J. Moeller,
Lt Col Charles Mueris,
Maj Milton H. Bender,
Lt Claude Anderson,
Pvt O. J. Drouchton.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Douglas C-47D on Mt Mitchell: 9 killed

Date & Time: Oct 5, 1949 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-16386
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Bolling - Brookley
MSN:
20852
YOM:
1944
Location:
Mt Mitchell
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The airplane left Bolling AFB (Washington) at 0855LT bound for Brookley AFB in Mobile. About two hours into the flight, while cruising in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Mitchell (6,684 feet high). The wreckage was found two days later and all nine occupants have been killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-5-DK near Saluda: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-48910
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Bolling - Donaldson
MSN:
14726/26171
YOM:
1944
Location:
Saluda
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
En route from Bolling AFB to Donaldson AFB, the crew encountered dense fog. Too low, the airplane collided with trees and crashed in a wooded area located on Mt Page, some 3 km southwest of Saluda, North Carolina. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. Four passengers were killed while six other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan at Bolling AFB

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan
Operator:
Registration:
42-37188
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
3617
YOM:
1943
Location:
Bolling AFB
Washington DC
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff and damaged beyond repair. There were no fatalities.

Crash of a Curtiss R5C-1 Commando at Bolling AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
39492
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Anacostia NAS - Bolling AFB
MSN:
26429
YOM:
1943
Location:
Bolling AFB
Washington DC
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On final approach to Bolling AFB, the airplane stalled and crashed in a huge explosion short of runway. All four occupants were killed. The airplane was on a flight from Anacostia NAS.

Crash of a Lockheed UC-40A Electra Junior at Bolling AFB

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 12 Electra Junior
Operator:
Registration:
38-543
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1260
YOM:
1941
Location:
Bolling AFB
Washington DC
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach and landing were performed in poor weather conditions. After touchdown, the twin engine airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. While there were no casualties, the aircraft was written off.
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