Crash of a Beechcraft TC-45G Expeditor in Columbia

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1968 at 0700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Industrial Electric
Registration:
N199H
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
AF-68
YOM:
1952
Location:
Columbia
South Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5600
Captain / Total hours on type:
570.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after an early morning departure from Columbia-Metropolitan Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in flames in a field. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Inadequate flight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to clean the aircraft properly prior to takeoff. The aircraft was covered with frost and only the windshield was cleaned. The cabin heat system was insufficient to prevent windshield fogging and the pilot lost control of the airplane after rotation due to an insufficient flying speed. Exercised poor judgment.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-201C near Darlington: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1945 at 1436 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
NC25647
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Washington DC – Columbia
MSN:
2235
YOM:
1940
Flight number:
EA045
Location:
Darlington
South Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
21154
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 3,100 feet, the DC-3 collided with a USAAF Douglas A-26C-35-DT Invader. Registered 44-35553, it was performing a training sortie from Florence with a crew of two on board. Following the collision, the Invader went out of control and crashed in a field located near Darlington, some 12 miles northwest of Florence. Both crew members were killed. On his side, the crew of the DC-3 was able to make an emergency landing and one passenger was killed.
Probable cause:
On the basis of the evidence available at this time the Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the failure of each pilot to see the other aircraft in time to avoid collision. Contributing factors were the DC3 pilot's deviation from the airway in the proximity of an active USAAF base and his lack of vigilance, and the Army-pilot's continuing a maneuver which restricted his vision in an area not set aside for such maneuvers.
Final Report:

Crash of a North American B-25C Mitchell in Columbia

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1943
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-12456
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
82-5091
YOM:
1941
Location:
Columbia
South Carolina
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:
Damaged beyond repair in a landing accident. There were no fatalities.

Crash of a North American B-25D-10 Mitchell in Columbia: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1943
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-30289
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Columbia - Columbia
MSN:
87-8454
YOM:
1941
Location:
Columbia
South Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Crashed near Columbia Airport following a midair collision. Five crew members were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt Logan W. Hughes,
2nd Lt Norbert S. Lynn,
2nd Lt Thomas F. Neal,
Sgt Jack M. Williams,
Cpl Gerald E. Fry.

Crash of a North American B-25D-1 Mitchell in Columbia

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1943
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-29872
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
87-8037
YOM:
1941
Location:
Columbia
South Carolina
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:
Damaged beyond repair in a landing accident. There were no fatalities.

Crash of a North American B-25D-1 Mitchell in Columbia

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1943
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-29864
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
87-8029
YOM:
1941
Location:
Columbia
South Carolina
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:
Damaged beyond repair in a landing accident. There were no fatalities.

Crash of a North American B-25C Mitchell near Sandersville: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1943
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-12493
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Columbia - Columbia
MSN:
82-5128
YOM:
1941
Location:
Sandersville
Georgia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Columbia Airfield on a navigation training exercise. It crashed in unknown circumstances in a dense wooded area located 25 km north of Sandersville, Georgia. The wreckage and all six dead bodies were found on 1st September 1943.
Crew:
2nd Lt Michael R. Rusnak,
2nd Lt Gilbert P. Johnson,
2nd Lt Mourse A. Nielsen,
S/Sgt Daniel F. Hall,
Sgt Horace S. Bowen Jr.,
Sgt Joseph E. Redmen.

Crash of a North American B-25C-10 Mitchell near Columbia

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1943
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
42-32327
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
94-12735
YOM:
1942
Location:
Columbia
South Carolina
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:
Suffered a bird strike and crash landed 10 km southeast of Columbia. There were no fatalities.
Probable cause:
Bird strike.

Crash of a North American B-25D Mitchell in South Carolina: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1943
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-29656
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Columbia - Hunter AFB
MSN:
87-7821
YOM:
1941
Location:
South Carolina
South Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while en route from Columbia AAF, South Carolina, to Hunter AFB, Georgia. All six crew members were killed. The exact location of the mishap remains unknown, probably somewhere in South Carolina.
Crew:
2nd Lt Haig P. Wylie,
2nd Lt Rufus S. Humphries Jr.,
2nd Lt Frank J. Moore,
S/Sgt Horace C. Holt,
S/Sgt Joseph E. Messina,
Sgt Stanley F. Warshak.

Crash of a North American B-25C-1 Mitchell into Lake Murray: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1943
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-13289
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Columbia - Columbia
MSN:
82-5924
YOM:
1941
Location:
Lake Murray
South Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training flight out from Columbia AFB. While flying at low height over Lake Murray, the pilot initiated a turn when a wing hit the water surface, causing the airplane to crash into the lake. Five crew members were killed and one was injured.
Crew:
1st Lt Clifford O. Sherry,
2nd Lt Harol L. Feineuer,
2nd Lt John E. Hancock,
2nd Lt Marshall S. Hawke,
Sgt George W. Rhine.
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