Zone
California

Crash of a Douglas C-47D near Pasadena: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-48723
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
El Paso – Van Nuys
MSN:
14539/25984
YOM:
1944
Location:
San Gabriel Mountains
California
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:
While flying in limited visibility, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Wilson located in the San Gabriel Mountain range, about 7 miles northeast of Pasadena. All seven crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-53-DO Skytrooper near Castaic: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-15537
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Van Nuys - George AFB
MSN:
7332
YOM:
1942
Location:
Castaic
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Van Nuys on a routine flight to George AFB, Victorville, carrying a crew of six. It was towing a Waco CG-4A glider registered 42-46327 with two crew on board. After passing the San Fernando Valley, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with clouds, icing and turbulence. After the tail section of the C-53 separated from the fuselage, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a mountainous area located some 10 km northwest of Castaic. Three crew members were able to bail out and were found alive while three others remained on board and were killed. The crew of the glider immediately release the rope and later bailed out as they were unable to maintain control of the glider.
Those killed on C-53 were:
F/O Wilbur W. Boyd,
T/Sgt Charles Edward Burnett,
F/O Neil Wilford Rise.
Probable cause:
The tail section detached in flight, probably due to icing conditions and turbulence.

Crash of a Lockheed 5 Vega in Needles: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1929
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 5 Vega
Operator:
Associated Aviators
Registration:
NR859E
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Van Nuys – Cleveland
MSN:
67
YOM:
1929
Location:
Needles
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
En route from Van Nuys to Cleveland, the crew encountered stormy weather. In strong turbulences, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive. The mechanic was able to bail out before the aircraft crashed near Needles, east California. The wreckage was found three days later. The mechanic was found alive while the pilot was killed.
Crew:
John Wood, pilot,
Ward Miller, mechanic.

Crash of a Ryan M-1 in Van Nuys: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1926
Type of aircraft:
Ryan M-1/M-2
Operator:
Registration:
5
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
5
Location:
Van Nuys
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
During a mail flight, the pilot lost his orientation due to heavy rain falls and decided to bail out. Both occupants put their parachute but the aircraft stalled and crashed. The pilot survived while the passenger was killed.
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