Saint Joseph | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

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.

Probable cause:

Improper operation of flight controls on part of the crew who misjudged distance and speed and delayed in initiating a go-around manoeuvre. The following factors were reported:
- The crew failed to stow spoilers on go-around.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-39 in Sioux City: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1944 at 0032 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-39 (DC-2)

Operator:

Registration:

38-501

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Sioux City - Saint Joseph

MSN:

2059

YOM:

1939

Location:

Sioux City

Iowa

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft left Sioux City Airport at 0028LT bound for the Saint Joseph-Rosecrans Airport, Missouri. While climbing, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed 14 km from its departure point. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crewmen were killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control caused by the explosion of the right engine (number 2) during initial climb.

Crash of a Douglas C-53-DO Skytrooper in Saint Joseph

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

41-20065

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

4835

YOM:

1941

Location:

Saint Joseph

Missouri

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in Saint Joseph and was damaged beyond repair. There were no fatalities.

Crash of a Stinson SM-6000B in Oregon: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1934 at 2245 LT

Type of aircraft:

Stinson SM-6000

Operator:

Registration:

NC11118

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Kansas City – Omaha

MSN:

5004

YOM:

1931

Location:

Oregon

Missouri

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Kansas City at 1835LT on a schedule service to Omaha, carrying four passengers and one pilot. En route, the pilot was instructed to divert to St Joseph due to the deterioration of the weather conditions en route. The airplane landed in St Joseph at 1905LT and remained there until 2200LT. It took off shortly after 2200LT on the final leg to Omaha. But few minutes after takeoff, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and limited visibility while cruising at night and heavy rain falls. He reduced his altitude, probably to establish a visual contact with the ground. The plane missed a house by only 50 feet then impacted trees and crashed against an embankment. The wreckage was found about 10 miles northwest of St Joseph. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Crew:
Don Bontrager.
Passengers:
Mrs. Maude Schiffmacher,
Frank Mahan,
W. W. Truelson,
Dallas Leitch.