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-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.

Crash of a North American B-25D Mitchell in Harrisburg: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1943
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-29837
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Rosecrans - Columbia
MSN:
87-8002
YOM:
1941
Location:
Harrisburg
Missouri
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Rosecrans AFB on a training flight to Columbia. While on an instrument approach to the destination airport, one of the engine failed. Five crew members bailed out and parachuted to safety and one crew remained on board and was killed when the airplane crashed in an open field located 1,5 km west of Harrisburg, about 24 km northwest of Columbia.
Crew (1st OTU):
2nd Lt Ralph R. Boyvey, †
Cpt Patrick O'Drago,
Lt E. W. Vanina,
F/O D. R. McMonigle,
Pvt O. C. Hoygaard,
Pvt A. M. Horn.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on approach.

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

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1943
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-29816
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
87-7981
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:
The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in Columbia, killing the entire crew.
Crew:
1st Lt Joseph R. Janovsky, pilot,
2nd Lt Clair E. Lewis, copilot,
S/Sgt Henry B. Evans,
S/Sgt Howard A. Ferguson,
S/Sgt Edward A. Witt.

Crash of a North American B-25D-1 Mitchell in Columbia: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1943
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-29870
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
87-8035
YOM:
1941
Location:
Columbia
South Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Columbia, killing the entire crew.
Crew:
Cpt Arthur P. Vandergrift Jr.,
Cpt Buell A. Bankston,
2nd Lt Lawrence H. Kiskaddon,
2nd Lt Thomas Malcolm Poole,
T/Sgt Alfred LeFerve,
S/Sgt Lee J. Cobb,
S/Sgt Ralph V. Metcalf.

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

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1943
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-29819
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
87-7984
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:
Crashed on takeoff and damaged beyond repair. There were no fatalities.

Crash of a Lockheed B-34 Lexington in Columbia

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Operator:
Registration:
AJ328
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4466
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:
The twin engine airplane ground looped during takeoff and was damaged beyond repair. There were no fatalities.

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

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1943
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-13291
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Columbia - Columbia
MSN:
82-5926
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:
Crashed on landing at Columbia Airfield and was damaged beyond repair. There were no fatalities.

Crash of a North American B-25C-1 Mitchell in Ballentine: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1943
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-13292
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Columbia - Columbia
MSN:
82-5927
YOM:
1941
Location:
Ballentine
South Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Ballentine, some 24 km northwest of Columbia. All four crew members were killed.
Crew.
1st Lt Merritt M. Hopson,
2nd Lt Walter R. Bone,
S/Sgt Vernon L. Arenas,
Cpl Hal W. Reed.
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