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Crash of a Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune off Kauai Island: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
124899
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Kauai Island
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to a combined exercice with submarine when control was lost at low height. The airplane crashed into the ocean west of Kauai Island. Three crew members were rescued while seven others were killed.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5S2 Mariner off Colón: 15 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
59232
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
59232
YOM:
1945
Location:
Colón
Colón
Country:
Panama
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
16
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
While taking off from the Colón-Coco Solo NAS, the aircraft suffered a right engine failure, lost speed and height and eventually burst into flames while hitting a concrete pier. A crewman survived while 15 others were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine on takeoff.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune into the Caribbean Sea: 11 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
131442
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Meteorological / Weather
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Guantánamo Bay - Guantánamo Bay
MSN:
426-5323
Flight number:
Snowcloud Five
Location:
Caribbean Sea
World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Guantánamo Bay NAS in Cuba on a meteorological mission consisting of investigations of the hurricane 'Janet' that was classified in cat 4 and approaching Jamaica from the south. While penetrating the eye of the hurricane at an altitude of about 700 feet, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea, some 480 km southwest of the Jamaican coast. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the eleven occupants was found. There were nine crew members and two journalists on board.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune in USA: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
122458
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Location:
United States of America
All United States of America
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances, probably somewhere in the US (to be confirmed). All five crew members were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune on Saint-Lawrence Island

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
131515
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
426-5396
Location:
Saint Lawrence Island
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a maritime patrol over the Bering Sea. While cruising at an altitude of 8,000 feet about 40 miles west of the Saint Lawrence Island, the airplane was attacked by two Soviet MiG-15 fighters. The crew was able to leave the area and elected to make an emergency landing on St Lawrence Island when the aircraft crash landed. There were no injuries.
Probable cause:
Attacked by two Soviet MiG-15.

Crash of a Martin P5M-1 Marlin off Norfolk: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 9, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Martin P5M-2 Marlin
Operator:
Registration:
130265
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Norfolk - Norfolk
Location:
Norfolk
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
During a night takeoff in Willoughby Bay, the seaplane crashed into a seawall at NAS Norfolk. Four crew members were killed and four others were injured.

Crash of a Douglas R6D-1 on Mt Waianae: 66 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1955 at 0203 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-6
Operator:
Registration:
131612
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Tokyo – Hickam – Travis
MSN:
43715
YOM:
1953
Location:
Mt Waianae
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
60
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
66
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft was completing a personnel transfer flight from Tokyo to Travis AFB, California, with an intermediate stop at Hickam AFB, Honolulu. Few minutes after his departure from Hickam Field, the pilot informed ground he encountered technical issues with the high frequency transmission system and elected to return for a safe landing. Approaching by night from the northwest, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Waianae located about 18 miles from the airfield. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 66 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Lt Cdr Harold M. Oleary, pilot,
Lt Cdr Mark M. Teague, copilot,
Lt Lee A. Thoroux, navigator,
Ad1 Charles L. Osborne,
At3 Charles M. Preston,
An James B. Quinn Jr.
Passengers:
US Air Force Personnel:
T/Sgt Albert E. Dawsey
T/Sgt John T. Powell,
T/Sgt Roland B. Wilhelm,
S/Sgt Samuel J. Alvarado,
S/Sgt William F. Britt,
S/Sgt Carlyle J. Hummel,
S/Sgt Eugene L. Lofton,
S/Sgt Thaddeus F. Shyda,
A1c Willie G. Harrell,
A1c Milton O. Matthews,
A1c Aubrey G. Morgan,
A1c Earl G. Sisson,
A1c Alvin Alxander,
A2c John D. Anthony,
A2c David L. Boyle,
A2c Stanley B. Horton,
A3c Daniel K. Eaton.
US Army:
Cpl Donald B. Anderson,
Pfc Paul B. Bayer,
Cpl Dean C. Bullen,
Pvt Robert E. Delhager,
Sgt Raymond L. Smith,
Sgt Robert L. Thompson,
Sgt Rexie L. Dewesse,
Sgt Larry P. Dieuolo,
Pfc Robert G. Duncan,
Cpl Edward J. Halvey Jr.,
Cpl William B. Hendon,
Pfc Robert E. Hill,
Cpl Kenneth G. Hoffman,
Cpl David A. Horne,
Pvt Charles J. Combs,
Sgt Warren R. Huler,
Pfc John R. Irwin Jr.,
Pvt Charles M. Johnson,
Pfc Bernard J. Kuras,
Pvt Louis F. Montanez,
Pvt John R. Panetti,
Sgt James L. White.
US Marine Corps:
M/Sgt Frederick L. Williamson,
M/Sgt Eugene E. Bennett,
Cpl Richard C. Harrison,
Lt Col C. G. Edwards,
M/Sgt Gordon B. Murray,
S/Sgt Morgan L. Ogden,
Cpl Walter W. Chase,
Cpl Dale L. Lake,
Cpl Michael J. Meszaros,
Cpl Almeron Freeman,
Cpl Cecil A. Brittain,
Cpl Richard R. Brooks.
US Navy:
An Charles Wayne Enloe,
Na William Richard Rimer,
Sa Gerald Joseph Robichaux,
Ae3 Alfred Dewey Schroeder,
Charles Edward Sheehan,
Te1 Nathan Webb,
Mrs. Rita Laverne Webb and her daughter,
Gerald Dean White.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the aircraft was off course about 8 miles at the time of the accident, apparently due to a navigation error on part of the flying crew who failed to adhere to the approach procedures. Low visibility caused by night, clouds and rain falls was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune near Elmendorf AFB: 11 killed

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
128399
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Elmendorf - Elmendorf
MSN:
426-5245
Location:
Elmendorf-Richardson AFB (JBER)
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to Elmendorf AFB following a training mission. While descending to the altitude of 2,000 feet, the airplane hit the slope of a mountain located 28 miles northwest of Elmendorf Airbase. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 11 crew members were killed. For undetermined reason, the crew started the approach to Elmendorf prematurely, causing the aircraft to his the mountain.

Crash of a Lockheed C-121J Super Constellation off Codroy: 13 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1955 at 0515 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-121 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
131639
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Stephenville – Patuxent
MSN:
4140
YOM:
1953
Location:
Codroy
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
While cruising by night over the Prince Edward Island, the crew informed ATC about a dual engine failure and elected to return to Stephenville-Ernest Harmon Airport. While approaching Newfoundland, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the gulf of Saint-Laurent off Codroy, about 112 km southwest of Stephenville. All 13 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Beechcraft SNB-2 Navigator on Mt Cajon: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft AT-7 Navigator
Operator:
Registration:
67260
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Monterey - Norton
MSN:
5091
YOM:
1942
Location:
Mt Cajon
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a flight from Monterey to Norton AFB in San Bernardino, carrying a crew of two and a sailor passenger, fireman of the USS Badoeng Strait. While cruising by night at an altitude of 5,000 feet, the airplane hit the slope of Mt Cajon located south of Cajon Pass. The wreckage was found four days later, on January 13. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants have been killed.
Crew:
Lt Marshall Hand, pilot,
Lt Lasley K. Lacewell Jr., copilot.
Passenger:
Haskel Lewis Reichbach.
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