Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Douglas DC-7B in Miami

Date & Time: Mar 1, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-7
Operator:
Registration:
HC-AIP
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Miami – Quito
MSN:
45194/791
YOM:
1957
Location:
Miami-Intl
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taxiing at Miami-Intl Airport, the four engine aircraft went out of control and came to rest into a ditch. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident remains unknown.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 in Red Bluff: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1966 at 1307 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N6820S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
680-326-20
YOM:
1956
Location:
Red Bluff
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:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
56.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and obtained the permission to divert to Red Bluff Airport for an emergency landing. While approaching Red Bluff-Bidwell Field, the pilot was unable to maintain a safe altitude and due to an insufficient speed, the airplane stalled and crashed in a field located few miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reason. Failed to maintain flying speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Hawker-Siddeley HS.125-1A in Des Moines

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1966 at 1357 LT
Type of aircraft:
BAe 125
Operator:
Registration:
N1135K
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Des Moines – Omaha
MSN:
25019
YOM:
1965
Location:
Des Moines
Iowa
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7330
Captain / Total hours on type:
375.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the pilot-in-command attempted to rotate when an unexpected situation was encountered. The captain decided to abort the takeoff and started an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and struck ditches before coming to rest in a field. While all four passengers were unhurt, both pilots were seriously injured. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew who attempted to takeoff with the gust locks still engaged. Delayed action in aborting the takeoff was considered as a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500A in Sutter: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1966 at 1330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Dart Aero
Registration:
N9385R
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Sutter
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Captain / Total hours on type:
75.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in a huge explosion near Sutter, California. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon in Phoenix: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1966 at 1504 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Harpoon
Operator:
Registration:
N7258C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Phoenix - Phoenix
MSN:
15-1103
YOM:
1944
Location:
Phoenix-Sky Harbor
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Captain / Total hours on type:
250.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Phoenix-Sky Harbor Airport. While cruising in the vicinity of the airfield, the pilot informed ATC about an engine fire and elected to return for an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane crash in flames into a residential area located near the airport. The airplane and three houses were destroyed. Both pilots were killed while no one on the ground was injured.
Probable cause:
Engine fire in flight for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation in New York

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1966 at 2000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
N7115C
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4596
YOM:
1955
Location:
New York-JFK
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While rolling on a taxiway, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane sank on its belly and came to rest. All three technicians on board were uninjured while the aircraft christened 'Star of Chillon' was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The nose gear collapsed during taxiing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft SNB-5 Navigator in Kahului: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 15, 1966 at 0247 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft SNB-2 Navigator
Operator:
Skyway Air Cargo
Registration:
N86454
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
4488
YOM:
1943
Location:
Kahului
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
130.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Kahului Airport by night under VFR mode, the pilot got disoriented and was unable to locate Kahului Airport. He flew past the destination over dark unlighted terrain when the twin engine airplane struck a hill and crashed in flames. The pilot was killed. At the time of the accident, the ceiling was about 2,000 feet with rain showers.
Probable cause:
The pilot got disoriented and was unable to locate the airport until the airplane struck the ground.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-119C-25-FA Flying Boxcar in Scranton: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
51-2611
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Hartford – Binghamton
MSN:
10600
YOM:
1951
Location:
Scranton
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Hartford to Binghamton, carrying a load of various equipments. En route, one of the engine failed and the pilot was unable to maintain a safe altitude. At an altitude of 2,000 feet, the mechanic bailed out when the airplane dove into the ground and crashed onto a house located in Scranton. Both pilots were killed as well as a boy on the ground.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Abernathy

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1965 at 1510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Registration:
N33L
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
520-52
YOM:
1953
Location:
Abernathy
Texas
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:
1110
Captain / Total hours on type:
110.00
Circumstances:
While cruising in marginal weather conditions, one of the engine failed. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the pilot elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in an open field located in Abernathy. All four occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed. Weather conditions were marginal at the time of the accident with icing.
Probable cause:
Engine failure or malfunction in flight after a magneto failed due to icing conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation on Peak California: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1965 at 0130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
N6914C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Los Angeles – Chicago
MSN:
4811
YOM:
1957
Flight number:
FT914
Location:
California Peak
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
10190
Captain / Total hours on type:
5036.00
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cargo flight from Los Angeles to Chicago. While cruising at the assigned altitude of 13,000 by night, the four engine airplane struck the south face of California Peak (13,849 feet high) located about 21 miles northeast of Alamosa, Colorado. The wreckage was found a day later 150 feet below the summit and all three crew members have been killed.
Crash photo by Mark Hunt, copilot's son.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew failed to modify his route over Alamosa Vortac according to the flight plan and failed to turn to VA10 route for undetermined reason.
Final Report:
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