code

Northern Marianna Islands

Crash of a Douglas R4D-8 on Agrihan Island: 10 killed

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1953
Operator:
Registration:
17179
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Andersen - Andersen
MSN:
43346
YOM:
1944
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The crew left Andersen AFB on a SAR mission following the disappearance three days earlier of a USN Consolidated PB4Y-2S Privateer that was completing a meteorological mission in the typhoon Doris. In flight, the R4D-8 hit the slope of the volcano located in the center of the Agrihan Island and disintegrated on impact, killing all 10 crew members. The wreckage was found six days later, on December 26. For unknown reason, the airplane was flying at an insufficient altitude and the pilots failed to distinguish the volcano.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Consolidated PB4Y-2S Privateer off Agrihan Island: 9 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1953 at 0845 LT
Operator:
Registration:
59716
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Agana - Agana
MSN:
59716
YOM:
1943
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
While flying at low altitude into the typhoon Doris, the aircraft (VW-3) crashed into the ocean in unclear circumstances off Agrihan Island. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found.

Crash of a Consolidated PB4Y-2B Privateer in Rota Island: 12 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1948
Operator:
Registration:
59776
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Agana - Rota Island
MSN:
59776
YOM:
1943
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a short flight from Agana NAS to Rota Island. On final approach to runway 27, in poor weather conditions, the aircraft was too low and hit a cliff located about 2 miles from the runway threshold. All 12 crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt Thomas C. O'Connor,
Russell G. Delany,
Walter R. Delaney,
Charles D. Rudolph,
Trafton R. Lee,
John A. Beland,
Carl H. Christensen,
Charles G. Degarimore,
Clarence Pinkerton,
Paul D. McDonald,
Lt William L. Wise,
Frederick A. Earle Chaero.

Crash of a Curtiss R5C-1 Commando in Tinian

Date & Time: Jan 7, 1946
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
39579
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
30540
YOM:
1944
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Tinian Airfield, the twin engine aircraft crashed in a field. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-45-BN Superfortress in North Field AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-61712
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
11189
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
For unknown reason, the takeoff roll was aborted. The heavy bomber overran and came to rest in flames. Five crewmen were killed while six others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Crew killed were:
F/O Joseph C. Cochran,
1st Lt George E. Godsey,
1st Lt Joseph A. Little,
1st Lt Charles N. Roberts,
1st Lt Edward W. Williams.

Crash of a Boeing B-29B-45-BA Superfortress in Saipan: 10 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-83899
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Floridablanca - Isley Field
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
Crashed on approach to Isley Field, Saipan, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. All ten crew members were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt Bernard P. Beine,
Sgt Ray M. C. Card,
2nd Lt Hartphey Haller,
1st Lt Lawrence C. Honeycutt Jr.,
1st Lt Robert R. Kindig,
Cpt Claude S. Lawson Jr.,
T/Sgt Orval Newton Myrick,
Sgt Howard Robinson,
Sgt Matthew M. Schemer,
S/Sgt Chester Skorupa.