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Crash of a Lockheed WV-2Q Super Constellation in Markt Schwaben: 26 killed

Date & Time: May 22, 1962 at 1140 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
131390
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
4310
YOM:
1954
Location:
Markt Schwaben
Bavaria
Country:
Germany
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
26
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Frankfurt-Main on a special flight, carrying a crew of four, 22 passengers and thousands of confidential documents of the US Army. While cruising at an altitude of 18,000 feet, the crew contacted ATC twice, declared an emergency and elected to divert to Munich-Riem Airport. Shortly later, the aircraft exploded and crashed in a field located in Markt Schwaben, 17 km south of Munich Airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 26 occupants were killed. Debris and documents were scattered on an area over 65 km2.
Probable cause:
It is believed the airplane suffered a major structural failure in flight, maybe due to fatigue cracks that were not detected during the last maintenance check. The assumption that a fire erupted in the cargo compartment was not ruled out.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-8 in Osaka

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
12445
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
43314
YOM:
1943
Location:
Osaka-Itami
Kansai
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing at Osaka-Itami Airport following technical problems in flight. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It is reported the emergency situation was caused by a fuel contamination.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune on Kronborg Glacier: 12 killed

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
131521
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Thule - Thule
MSN:
426-5402
Location:
Kronborg Glacier
Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq
Country:
Greenland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a routine survey flight over Greenland and its coasts when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances onto the Kronborg Glacier. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 12 crew members from the Thule AFB contingent were killed.

Ground accident of a Douglas R4D-8L in Sentinel Ridge

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
17219
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
43323
YOM:
1944
Location:
Sentinel Ridge
All Antarctica
Country:
Antarctica
Region:
Antarctica
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the roll out, the left landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. Because of the remote location, the aircraft was declared not salveageable Nov 24, 1961.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left main gear during roll out.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-7LP Neptune in Wilkes Station: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
140439
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Wilkes Station - McMurdo Sound
MSN:
726-7098
Location:
Wilkes Station
All Antarctica
Country:
Antarctica
Region:
Antarctica
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff while in support of Operation Deep Freeze 1962. While taking off from the skiway at Wilkes Station Antarctica, the Neptune caught fire and crashed. Of the nine men on board, only four survived. The previous landing had been so violently rough that it had broken loose the 400 gal internal tank in the bomb bay and the 4" filler pipe was spewing out raw fuel running down the bottom of the plane on take-off. At the ignition of the JATO on the t/o run, it acted like a Roman Candle. With the burning of the fiberglass tail cone, all of the acrid smoke was drawn right up to the cockpit and the pilots were blinded. They tried to return to the field and just couldn't make it. The pilot managed to level the wings before they hit and that saved some of the guys. 5 killed, 4 injured.
Source : Joe Baugher
Photos and details:
http://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2012/antarctic-air-crash-victims-remembered
Probable cause:
An investigation of the crash reported the cause as a collision with the ground following an intense, uncontrollable fire in the landing gear - bomb bay fuel tank area.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune into the Atlantic Ocean: 11 killed

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
131505
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Brunswick - Brunswick
MSN:
426-5386
Location:
Atlantic Ocean
World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The crew was conducting a maritime patrol flight out from Brunswick, Maine. While cruising some 310 miles east from the Virginia coast, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the ocean. The crew was unable to send any distress call prior to the accident. Some debris were found floating on water and all 11 crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidence, it was not possible to determine the exact cause of the accident. However, it is believed the accident may have been the result of a technical or structural failure that caused the disintegration of the fuselage in flight.

Crash of a Martin P5M-2S Marlin on Montague Island: 10 killed

Date & Time: Sep 22, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Martin P5M-2 Marlin
Operator:
Registration:
140144
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kodiak - Kodiak
Location:
Montague Island
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The seaplane (VP-45) departed Kodiak that day on a maritime patrol flight over the gulf of Alaska. While cruising at low height in limited visibility, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the south part of the Montague Island. The wreckage was found a day later and all 10 crew members were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune near Oceana NAS

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
140965
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
726-7067
Location:
Oceana NAS (Virgnia Beach)
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. Crew fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-5 at Fallon NAS: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Grosse Ile – Fallon – Alameda
Location:
Fallon NAS
Nevada
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Fallon NAS, while climbing to a height of 10 feet, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames. Six occupants were killed and 12 others were injured.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-7S Neptune in Lake George: 8 killed

Date & Time: Mar 9, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
147970
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Jacksonville - Jacksonville
MSN:
726-7220
YOM:
1958
Location:
Lake George
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The crew departed Jacksonville-Cecil Field NAS for a local searchlight mission. In the evening, while flying in foggy conditions, the airplane went out of control and crashed into Lake George, about 66 miles south of the airbase. The wreckage was found in the next morning and all eight crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt Robert K. Morse, pilot,
Lt Walter T. Gardner, mechanic,
A2c Fred G. Pridgeon, technician,
At2 Harry G. Cummins, technician,
Terry L. Ramsby 3.
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