Detroit-Willow Run (Ypsilanti)

The takeoff procedure was abandoned after the propeller on engine n°2 autofeathered. During the second takeoff, while in initial climb, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in flames by the runway. All three crew members were killed.

The crew departed Detroit-Ypsilanti Airport on a positioning (exec) flight to Detroit-Wayne County Airport. After touchdown on runway 33, the airplane encountered difficulties to decelerate. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran, struck a fence and came to rest in flames against a concrete pole located 950 feet further. Both pilots were injured and the airplane was destroyed.

On final approach to Detroit-Willow Run Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and decided to make a go-around for unknown reasons. Shortly later, the twin engine crashed near the airport. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

The approach to Flint-Bishop Airport runway 27 was completed in poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to snow falls. On final, the airplane stalled then rolled to the right to an angle of 45° and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed. They were completing a cargo flight from Detroit-Willow Run (Ypsilanti) Airport.

En route from Detroit to Saint Louis on a night cargo flight, the pilot informed ATC that both engines failed and was vectored to Canton-Plymouth-Mettetal Airport for an emergency landing. Approaching by night and without any terrain in sight, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed few miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was injured.

Following an uneventful flight from Saint Joseph, Missouri, the crew started the descent to Detroit-Willow Run Airport. After a wrong approach configuration, the crew misjudged distance and speed during the last segment, causing the aircraft to land too far down the runway. After touchdown, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance and the captain decided to initiate a go-around manoeuvre but this was too late. The airplane overran, struck the localizer antenna then crashed on the ILS building. Both pilots were killed while the passenger was seriously injured.

The crew was completing a local training flight at Detroit-Willow Run (Ypsilanti) Airport. On final approach to runway 05R, the instructor decided to make a go around. The crew increased engine power, raised the landing gear and deployed the flaps when the airplane stalled and crashed in a field and burst into flames. Both pilots were killed.

The aircraft was on its way from Miramar to Detroit, carrying a crew of seven. They made a stop at Albuquerque to carry the body of a USN pilot who was killed in an accident two days earlier. While descending to Willow Run Airport, the pilot briefed his crew about the minimums and confirmed that if runway was not in sight at 800 feet, they will divert to Grosse Isle NAS. The approach was completed in a low visibility due to snow falls and a ceiling at 550 feet when the airplane hit the ground near a pond, lost an engine and crashed in flames in an open field located about two miles short of runway 05. LCDR William E. Sale was killed while six others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Capital Airlines flight 141 of February 20, 1956, originated at Willow Run Airport, Detroit, Michigan, and was a regularly scheduled flight to Chicago. The crew consisted of Captain Roger Harrison Taylor, First Officer George Richard Hanst and Stewardesses Jacqueline V. Sadowski and Gloria Galloway. Captain R. E. Gilliland, the fifth assigned crew member, was deadheading to Chicago and rode in the passenger cabin. Following a weather briefing, which included a review of en route and terminal weather forecasts, a VFR flight plan was filed. Departure from Detroit was at 0700. The gross takeoff weight of the air- craft was 54,701 pounds, which was below the specified limit; the load was distributed properly with respect to the center of gravity of the aircraft. The flight to the vicinity of Chicago was routine. Near Chicago Flight 141 reported to the Chicago tower that it was over the shoreline. The flight later reported passing Kedzie and was cleared to land on runway 31R. The flight was observed to make a right turn to final approach and appeared to descend in a normal manner until over the west side of Cicero Avenue (the eastern boundary of the airport) at an altitude of 25 to 50 feet above the ground. At this point the airplane appeared to decelerate and descend rapidly. The aircraft was further observed to strike the ground in a slightly nose-up attitude several hundred feet short of the threshold of threshold of the runway, and the top of the fuselage was seen to break open adjacent to the wing spar to fuselage attachment. As the aircraft proceeded down the runway the landing gear retracted and the aircraft then slid on its belly until it came to rest to the left of the runway, 1,626 feet beyond the point of initial impact. All occupants left the aircraft through emergency exits or the main cabin door. The fire department, having been called by tower personnel, arrived at the scene before all persons had evacuated the aircraft. However, there was no fire. The Chicago weather at 0720 was reported as: Sky clear, visibility 6 miles; smoke; wind north-northwest.