Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar in Palmyra Island

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1980 at 0700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Fred C. Sorenson
Registration:
N163R
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Honolulu - Palmyra
MSN:
2492A
YOM:
1943
Location:
Palmyra Atoll
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Honolulu to the Palmyra Atoll, carrying amateur radio operators. After touchdown, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and collided with trees. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all nine occupants evacuated, some of them were injured. On approach, the pilot estimated cross wind gusting to 15 knots but the wind was calm below tree level on runway.
Probable cause:
Ground loop upon touchdown and subsequent collision with trees due to improper compensation for wind conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Windshear,
- Visibility 3 mils or less.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed EC-130Q Hercules off Wake Island: 16 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1977 at 2230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Registration:
156176
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Wake - Agana
MSN:
4280
YOM:
1968
Location:
Wake Island
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Wake Island Airport runway 10, while climbing by night to an altitude of 400 feet, the four engine airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea about 1,500 meters offshore. Two engines and few debris were found while the aircraft sank and was lost. All 16 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane during initial climb after he suffered a spatial disorientation while flying over the ocean without any visual references. The accident occurred while there was no ATC at airport.

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A on Wake Island: 11 killed

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
Operator:
Registration:
55-3133
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Andersen - Hickam - Loring
MSN:
17249
YOM:
1957
Location:
Wake Island
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
52
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Aircraft flight hours:
6681
Circumstances:
En route from Andersen AFB (GUam Island) to Hickam, Honolulu, the crew reported engine problems and the captain decided to divert to Wake Island Airport. On short final, the aircraft was too low and struck approach lights. On impact, the empennage was torn off and the aircraft crashed in flames. Eleven passengers were killed while 45 other occupants were rescued. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine problems in flight.

Crash of a Douglas C-133A-5-DL Cargomaster off Wake Island: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-133 Cargomaster
Operator:
Registration:
54-0140
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Wake Island - Kadena
MSN:
44710
YOM:
1954
Location:
Wake Island
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Wake Island, while climbing to a height of 500 feet, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea some 4,5 km off shore. All six crew members were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed P-2H Neptune off Johnston Atoll

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
140158
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Johnston - Johnston
MSN:
726-7061
Location:
Johnston Atoll
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to the Johnston Atoll Airport following a maritime patrol mission when, on final approach, an engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed onto a reef located 1,1 mile short of runway threshold. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach.

Crash of a Lockheed WV-2 on Midway Island: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jan 22, 1961 at 0304 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
143193
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Midway - Midway
MSN:
4467
YOM:
1957
Location:
Midway Island
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
While conducting a maritime patrol flight over the Pacific Ocean, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and the captain decided to return to Midway Island NAS for a safe landing. During the final approach completed by night, the four engine aircraft was too low, causing the main landing gears to struck a seawall located short of runway threshold. On impact, the undercarriage were sheared off. The airplane went out control and crashed in flames onto a fire truck parked by the runway. Six passengers were killed as well as all three firemen sitting in the truck and awaiting the aircraft according to procedures.

Crash of a Douglas R5D-3 off Midway Island

Date & Time: Sep 10, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
87755
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Tokyo - Barbers Point
Location:
Midway Island
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Ditched due to fuel exhaustion caused by a faulty navigation near Midway Island enroute from Tokyo-Haneda Airport, Japan, to Barbers Point NAS, Hawaii. All crew members were rescued by a Navy ship while the plane sank by gunfire.
Probable cause:
Navigation error on part of the crew.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6 in Wake Island

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-6
Operator:
Registration:
PI-C291
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Manila - Wake Island
MSN:
43060/100
YOM:
1948
Location:
Wake Island
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Wake Island Airport, the four engine aircraft encountered difficulties to stop, overran and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Midway Island: 9 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
46500
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Midway Island
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances off Midway Island. All nine crewmen were killed.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder in Midway Island

Date & Time: Jun 4, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1391
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Midway - Midway
MSN:
1391
YOM:
1940
Location:
Midway Island
United States Minor Outlying Islands
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 crew was taking part to the Battle of Midway. While returning to the Midway Airport, the pilot was forced to complete the landing with the gear partially retracted. The aircraft skidded for several yards before coming to rest. All eight occupants were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Gear partially retracted on landing.
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