Mountains

The aircraft was carrying 19 cadets of the West Point Academy, five passengers and a crew of four from San Rafael to New York with intermediate stops in Williams AFB (Chandler, Arizona) and San Angelo, Texas. While approaching Phoenix from the northeast at an altitude of 8,000 feet, the pilot received the permission to descent to 6,000 feet when ATC requested his position in relation to Mt White Tank. The pilot said he overflew this mountain five minutes ago but the controller was convinced this was not the case. While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of a peak located in the Armer mountain range, about 66 miles northeast of Williams AFB. The wreckage was found two days later 100 feet from the summit and all 28 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Maj Lester Carlson, pilot,
1st Lt Walter Boback, copilot,
Sgt Jeane Garafalo 1.
Passengers:
William Pedrick,
Hilmar G. Manning,
Robert W. Berry Jr.,
Leonard G. De Vilbiss III,
William E. Melancon Jr.,
Harry K. Roberts Jr.,
Guy L. McNeil Jr.,
Nelson S. Byers,
Francis C. Camilli,
Noel S. Perrin,
Alan C. Abrahamson,
William F. Sharp,
Karl F. Glasbrenner Jr.,
Ward B. Keiler,
Kenneth MacArthur,
Ronald E. Rounds,
Hugh R. Wilson,
Herman Archer,
Maurice J. Mastelotto
5 civilians.

Flight 44-2 originated at Miami, Florida, and was scheduled to depart there for Buffalo, New York, via Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at 1000, December 29, 1951. Because of a mechanical delay actual takeoff was not made until 1540. The crew consisted of Captain Victor A. Harris, Copilot Hans E. Rutzebeck, and Stewardesses Pearl Moon and Dolores Harvey. On board were 24 passengers for Pittsburgh, four passengers for Buffalo, and three extra crew members who were to fly the return trip to Miami. The flight arrived at Pittsburgh without incident at 2115 and 24 passengers deplaned. At Pittsburgh 29 Miami-hound passengers, including an infant, boarded the aircraft. It was originally planned that these passengers would be picked up on the southbound flight Buffalo to Miami, however, due to the fact that the flight was 5 hours 40 minutes late arriving Pittsburgh, the passengers were enplaned northbound in order that, after servicing, the flight could proceed nonstop Buffalo to Miami. No fuel was added at Pittsburgh and Flight 44-2 departed there for Buffalo at 2147 on a VFR flight plan. The takeoff weight was 40,263 pounds, which was 4 737 pounds less than the aircraft's certificated gross of 45,000 pounds, and the disposable load was properly distributed with respect to the center of gravity. At 2152 the flight called Pittsburgh Tower and reported its time off was 2147, this was the last radio contact. When the flight failed to arrive at Buffalo within a reasonable time after its ETA (2247), a search was initiated. It was not until 1433, December 31, however, chat a report was confirmed to the Sheriff's office, Cattaraugus County, New York, that the aircraft wreckage had been located in a heavily wooded area near Little Valley, New York. A survivor, who had made his way from the wreckage to a farmhouse to obtain help, reported that the crash occurred at 2225 December 29, approximately 38 minutes after the flight departed Pittsburgh.

While on a flight from Spokane-Fairchild Airbase, the airplane flew into the east slope of Mt Lassen, about 47 miles southeast of Redding, California. All eight crew members were killed.

The aircraft was engaged in a flight from Mount Hagen to Madang with stops scheduled in Ogelbeng, Tremearne, Baiyer River, Wabag, Wapenamanda and Yarramunda, carrying two inspectors from the DCA and one pilot who were performing inspections of various local airfields. While flying in a narrow valley, the pilot elected to gain height when the aircraft hit trees and crashed in flames. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire and all three occupants were killed.
Crew:
F/O Sydney W. Peebles.

The crew was completing a flight from Wigram AFB to Ohakea with an intermediate stop in Rukuhia, carrying a load of spare parts. While cruising at an altitude of 8,900 feet in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft hit the east slope of the Te Heuheu peak located in the Ruapehu Mountain range. The wreckage was found about 50 feet below the summit and all three crew members have been killed.

While cruising at an altitude of 3,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the Sainte-Baume Mountain range, about a mile north of Riboux. The wreckage was found two days later about 30 km east of Marseille and all 10 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Cpt Peter Joseph Brylinski Jr., pilot,
2nd Lt Bernard Shephard Strongren,
1st Lt Donald Denzil Wright,
T/Sgt James R. Gallentine,
T/Sgt William I. Lawson,
T/Sgt Fred Richard Linn,
Pvt Patric Eugene O'Riley,
Maj Merton Paul Kilgore,
Cpt Harold Edward Peterson.
Passenger:
John P. Hawkins.

The aircraft departed Norton AFB in San Bernardino at 1930LT on a short flight to Long Beach, carrying three passengers and two pilots. Fifteen minutes after takeoff, while cruising in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Ontario. 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 found on June 12, 1952 in an uninhabited area. It was reported that the aircraft was off the intended course at the time of the accident.
Crew:
1st Lt Willard H. Cooke Jr., pilot,
2nd Lt Collin L. Campbell, copilot.
Passengers:
Cpt William Kaitner,
T/Sgt John S. Vallery,
S/Sgt Harry E. Gideon.
Photos: www.aircraftwrecks.com

Crashed in unknown circumstances in a hilly terrain located about three miles northwest of Winchester. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all 13 crew members were rescued.

After departure from Frankfurt-Main Airport, the crew was informed about strong winds blowing from the northwest up to 30 knots, on the route between Dijon and Bordeaux. The pilot-in-command continued his route in IFR Mode at the altitude of 6,000 feet. While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located near Le Mont-Dore, about 32 km southwest of Clermont-Ferrand. The airplane was destroyed upon impact and all 36 occupants were killed. It was reported that the visibility was estimated over 40 km below the cloud layer that was 6/8 at 1,000 meters. Nevertheless, the aircraft was off course to the south by 100 km at the time of the accident, probably due to strong winds. Also, the crew continued the flight at an altitude of 6,000 feet instead of the initial intended 8,000 feet.

The crew left Madison-Truax Field in the day bound for Amarillo to pick up four US Officers who have to fly to the Norton AFB located in San Bernardino. While approaching Norton AFB from the south at an altitude of 3,000 feet, the airplane hit the ground in the Box Springs Mountains. All six occupants were killed.