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Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Sanger: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 25, 1967 at 0405 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Priority Air Services
Registration:
N9450Z
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
AF-247
YOM:
1952
Location:
Sanger
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
2200
Captain / Total hours on type:
1400.00
Circumstances:
On a night approach to Sanger Airport, the copilot informed ground about an engine failure. The crew was unable to maintain a safe altitude when the airplane stalled and crashed few miles short of runway. All three occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the airplane was approximately 827 lbs above gross weight.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reason. Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the flying crew and improperly loaded aircraft (weight and/or CofG).
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon in Palm Springs

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1967 at 0712 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Harpoon
Operator:
Registration:
N7436C
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
15-1502
YOM:
1945
Location:
Palm Springs
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Captain / Total hours on type:
600.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Palm Springs Airport, the right engine failed. The crew elected to make an emergency landing, reduced his altitude and was able to land in a prairie near the airport. While both occupants were uninjured, the airplane was considered as damaged beyond repair. Initially manufactured as a Lockheed PV-2D Harpoon for the US Navy, the airplane was later converted by Oakland Airmotive Corporation as an 'Oakland Centaurus' prototype.
Probable cause:
Failure of the piston n° 13 of the right engine, resulting in exhaust and intake valves remaining open.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman HU-16E Albatross near San Luis Obispo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross
Operator:
Registration:
2128
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
G-355
YOM:
1953
Location:
San Luis Obispo
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was searching for an overdue vessel along the California coastline in marginal weather. While cruising in limited visibility due to fog, the seaplane struck a mountain slope and crashed north of San Luis Obispo. Three crew members were killed while five others were rescued.
Those killed were:
LTJG Francis J. Charles,
AD3 William E. Prowitt,
AD3 John G. Medek.

Crash of a Grumman G-73 Mallard off Avalon: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 27, 1967 at 1017 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-73 Mallard
Operator:
Registration:
N2968
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Avalon – San Diego
MSN:
J-25
YOM:
1947
Flight number:
216
Location:
Avalon (Catalina Island)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
7054
Captain / Total hours on type:
6271.00
Circumstances:
While leaving the Avalon-Pebbly Beach seaplane base, the airplane struck waves caused by an engine-boat. The airplane went out of control, overturned and crashed. A pilot was killed while three other occupants were injured. The aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
The pilot added power to continue takeoff when the airplane struck waves and failed to abort takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 40R off Ventura: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 14, 1967 at 1440 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Sabreliner 40
Operator:
Registration:
N739R
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
282-078
YOM:
1966
Location:
Ventura
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
7224
Captain / Total hours on type:
950.00
Circumstances:
While flying at a cruising altitude along the California coast, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent until it crashed into the sea some six miles off Ventura. Both crew members were killed and only few debris were found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a North American B-25N Mitchell in Red Bluff

Date & Time: May 6, 1967 at 1639 LT
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
N3521G
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
108-47507
YOM:
1944
Location:
Red Bluff
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8000
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, one of the engine caught fire. The crew was cleared to divert to Red Bluff-Bidwell Field Airport for an emergency landing. On final approach, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames in an open field short of runway. While both occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine fire for undetermined reason. The crew misjudged distance and speed on final.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-70-DL near Castle AFB

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1967 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Amerine Turkey Breeding Farms
Registration:
N54370
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
19220
YOM:
1943
Location:
Castle AFB
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5435
Captain / Total hours on type:
700.00
Circumstances:
While on a cargo flight, the crew informed ATC about a fire in the cabin and elected to divert to Castle AFB for an emergency landing. During the descent, the fire spread to the cargo compartment and the captain eventually decided to make an emergency landing in an open field. The airplane belly landed few miles from the airbase and came to rest in flames. While both crew members escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Fuel leaking from the APU ignited in flight and set fire to the cargo stacked around the APU. Inadequate maintenance and inspection on part of the Company.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in South Lake Tahoe: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1967 at 1815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
N616R
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
South Lake Tahoe
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
1035
Captain / Total hours on type:
124.00
Circumstances:
While descending to South Lake Tahoe Airport, the right engine failed. The pilot tried to maintain height and speed but the airplane eventually stalled and crashed in the Tahoe Valley. A passenger was seriously injured while all four other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Right engine failure in flight due to a fatigue fracture of the ignition system (magneto). Improper emergency procedures. Impulse coupling cam assembly failure due to broken palls. 67 hours on mag since overhaul.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-6 in Oakland

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1967 at 1428 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-6
Operator:
Registration:
N74841
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Oakland - Oakland
MSN:
43056/50
YOM:
1947
Location:
Oakland
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
18307
Captain / Total hours on type:
4621.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training mission at Oakland International Airport. After touchdown, the pilot-in-command started the braking procedure when control was lost. The airplane veered off runway before coming to rest. While all four crew members were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command failed to maintain directional control due to improper operation of powerplant controls which caused an asymmetrical thrust reversal after landing. Crew unfamiliar with early warning reverse circuit. Poor flight supervision on part of the instructor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar on Mt Pallett: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1966 at 2115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
53-3195
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
March - March
MSN:
11208
YOM:
1953
Location:
Mt Pallett
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a night training mission out from March AFB, Riverside. While cruising in stormy weather at an altitude of 8,000 feet, the airplane struck tree tops and crashed on the slope of Mt Pallett located 8,4 miles south of Pearblossom. The aircraft impacted the north slope just below the ridge scattering wreckage on both sides of the ridge. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Maj Elvin Estes,
Cpt Norman Gassman,
Cpt Raymond Miller,
S/Sgt Roger DuCharime.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.
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