Crash of an Antonov AN-2 on Mt Karpung

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-23700
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Palyavam – Pevek
MSN:
1 85 473 15
YOM:
1957
Location:
Mt Karpung
Magadan oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Palyavam at 0744LT on a ferry flight to Pevek. en route, he encountered poor weather conditions and failed to return to Palyavam. The aircraft deviated from the prescribed route along the Palyavam River by 12 km to the north when, in snow falls, it struck the slope of Mt Karpung. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The accident was probably the consequence of the decision of the crew to continue under VFR mode in IMC conditions (snow falls and low clouds). The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Poor flight preparation,
- Poor flight organization.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 near Apiay AFB: 31 killed

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1962 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-563
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Araracuara - Apiay
Location:
Apiay AFB (Villavicencio)
Meta
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
31
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a special flight from Araracuara to Apiay AFB, carrying convicts released on parole accompanied by prison guards. While approaching Apiay in marginal weather conditions at an altitude of 11,500 feet, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and disintegrated on impact, killing all 31 occupants.
Probable cause:
It was determined the aircraft was off track by 10° at the time of the accident, probably due to strong winds. The lack of efficient navigation systems along the route was considered as a contributing factor, as well as the poor weather conditions.

Crash of a Nord 2501 Noratlas in Col des Deux Bassins: 11 killed

Date & Time: Mar 20, 1962 at 2030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Nord 2501 Noratlas
Operator:
Registration:
204
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Ouargla – Boufarik
MSN:
204
YOM:
0
Location:
Col des Deux Bassins
Médéa
Country:
Algeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Aircraft flight hours:
358
Circumstances:
While approaching Boufarik AFB by night and poor weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Col des Deux Bassins, about 38 km southeast of Boufarik Airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed. Brand new, it was delivered in November 1961.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6B on Mt Velino: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1962 at 2300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-6
Operator:
Registration:
I-DIMO
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Khartoum – Rome
MSN:
44254
YOM:
1954
Location:
Mt Velino
Abruzzo
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight from Khartoum to Rome-Ciampino Airport and started the approach by night from the east. At an altitude of 7,700 feet, the four engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Velino located 14 km north of Avezzano. The wreckage was found 125 meters below the summit and all five crew members were killed.
Crew:
Salvatore Di Gaetano 4.
Probable cause:
It is believed the accident was caused by a premature descent on part of the crew.

Crash of a Fairchild F27 on Mt Medetsiz: 11 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1962 at 1743 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild F27
Operator:
Registration:
TC-KOP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Istanbul – Ankara – Adana
MSN:
83
YOM:
1960
Location:
Mt Medetsiz
Mediterranean Region (Akdeniz Bölgesi)
Country:
Turkey
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
En route, the pilot reported passing Aksaray and estimated to arrive at Adana at 1740LT. At 1728 the pilot reported at FL175 and requested a clearance to approach. At 1740 the flight was cleared to 5,000 feet and was asked to report crossing 8,000 feet and 7,000 feet. Shortly later, at an altitude of 6,800 feet, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Medetsiz located 87 km north of Adana Airport. All 11 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
According to reports received by the Incirlik tower, the aircraft should have been on the Adana radio range at 1540 hours and at flight level 175. In avoiding cumulus cloud, and associated turbulent conditions, the pilot was not able to keep track of his exact position or to maintain exact altitude.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-30-DK near Seymour: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1962 at 1415 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-DJC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Cape Town – Oudtshoorn – George – Plettenberg Bay – Port Elizabeth – Grahamstown – Queenstown – Collondale
MSN:
16189/32937
YOM:
1945
Flight number:
SA512
Location:
Seymour
Gauteng
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
9127
Captain / Total hours on type:
2484.00
Circumstances:
According to the copilot the aircraft flew below the clouds at about 300-500 ft above the ground. It was the pilot-in-command's intention to fly through the Katberg Pass below cloud and as the aircraft approached the mountains the cloud ceiling became lower and the pilot was faced with a critical situation. He called for METO (maximum except takeoff) power and in an attempt to clear the hills the right wing first made contact with the trees and then the right engine propeller cut into the rising ground. The aircraft came to rest against a rock face approximately 250 yd from the initial point of impact with the trees and approximately 500 ft from the top of the hill. Two crew members were killed while five other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was attributed to an error of judgement on the part of the pilot-in-command who attempted low visual flight, beneath the cloud base, near mountains in deteriorating weather conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL in Marulanda: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1962 at 1435 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
HK-502
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Manizales – Bogotá
MSN:
19653
YOM:
1944
Location:
Marulanda
Caldas
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
7579
Captain / Total hours on type:
3815.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1435
Copilot / Total hours on type:
240
Circumstances:
Douglas C-47A, HK-502 was on a non-scheduled domestic flight from Manizales Airport (elevation 3,380 feet) to Bogotá (elevation 8,355 feet). The aircraft took off from Manizales Airport at 1404LT with 2 crew and a load of cargo aboard. At 1420LT HK-502 reported its position over San Felix at an altitude of 12,500 feet and that it estimated Cambao at 1433LT. At 1435LT HK-502 declared an emergency. The aircraft crashed into the mountain immediately after this radio transmission. The accident site was approximately 32 miles from Manizales on a bearing of 300°. The accident was reported by the Salamina authorities at 1440LT. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was due to the faulty procedure on the part of the pilot who made the en route climb from Manizales to San Felix at a low altitude, so that the aircraft became trapped in a canyon and crashed in the San Felix pass at La Aguadita after stalling during a turn at 9,000 feet.
Final Report:

Crash of a Convair T-29A on Babcock Peak: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Convair T-29
Operator:
Registration:
49-1931
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
198
YOM:
1950
Location:
Babcock 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
Circumstances:
The airplane left Amarillo Airport on a liaison flight with three crew members on board. While cruising northwest of Durango, Colorado, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with a snowstorm. While cruising at an altitude of 14,000 feet, the airplane struck Babcock Peak. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. The wreckage was eventually localized on May 18, 1962.
Crew:
Cpt Richard E. Bellamy, pilot,
Maj J. E. Lunsford, copilot,
S/Sgt E. L. Fairey, flight engineer.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain in a snowstorm.

Crash of a Fairchild F27A in Porlamar: 23 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild F27
Operator:
Registration:
YV-C-EVH
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Porlamar – Cumaná
MSN:
12
YOM:
1958
Location:
Porlamar
Nueva Esparta
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Porlamar Airport, while climbing, the airplane struck the slope of Mt San Juan located few km from the airfield. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 23 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
For unknown reason, the crew did not follow the published procedures for Porlamar Airport departure.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.114 Heron 1B in Hōfu: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1962
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.114 Heron
Operator:
Registration:
JA6158
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Hiroshima - Hōfu
MSN:
14028
YOM:
1954
Location:
Hōfu
Chūgoku
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training mission from Hiroshima to Hōfu. While approaching Hōfu Airport, the four engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Ohira located 8 km northeast of the airfield. All three crew members were killed.
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