Minneapolis

On final approach to Chicago-Midway Airport, the four engine aircraft was too low and hit a concrete marker. After impact, the aircraft nosed down and crashed in flames few hundred yards short of runway. All 41 occupants were quickly evacuated while the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Enroute from Wright Patterson AFB to Minneapolis-Wold-Chamberlain Airport, the crew noticed that the manifold pressure dropped and was unable to resolve the problem. In such situation, the captain decided to reduce his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing in a field. Unfortunately, the aircraft attitude was wrong and its speed was too high. The aircraft hit the ground, bounced, hit trees and eventually crash landed. Both pilots and two passengers were injured while six others were killed.

The aircraft left Wright Patterson AFB at 2221LT on December 24 bound for Minneapolis-Wold Chamberlain Airport. At 2318LT, less than hour into the flight, the captain informed ATC he was returning due to strong head winds up to 54 mp/h. Due to the deterioration of the weather conditions at Wright Patterson AFB, the crew was vectored to Harrisburg where the cloud layer was up to 2,500 feet with a good visibility. Unfortunately, the weather conditions worsened in Harrisburg as well and it was impossible for the pilot to land. After five unsuccessful attempts, the captain reported he was short of fuel. At an altitude of 900 feet, the aircraft hit the slope of the Reesers Summit located 6 miles south of the airport, near York Haven. All four crew members and eight passengers were killed.

While cruising by night bound for Minneapolis, the crew encountered poor weather and icing conditions. Unable to maintain a sage height, the captain decided to descend at 2,000 feet and elected to return to Chicago when the aircraft hit a mountain slope (1,716 feet high) located in Blue Mounds. All four crew members were killed.