United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

While approaching the Hawaiian coast of Oahu Island on a flight from Tokyo, the crew encountered a fuel exhaustion and was forced to ditch the aircraft about 60 miles west of Hickam Field where it should land. Ten people were rescued while three others were killed, among them George Acheson, personal advisor of General McArthur and President of the Allied Council in Japan.

Fairchild C-82 Packet

Crashed in a garden in New Germany while on approach to Wright-Patterson AFB. All four crew members were injured and the aircraft was written off.

North American B-25 Mitchell

The twin engine aircraft left McChord AFB at 0212LT bound for Hamilton AFB located in Novato, California. About fifteen minutes into the flight, the left engine caught fire and smoke spread into the cabin. Two crew members bailed out when the left wing broke off. Out of control, the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a pasture located 15 miles east of Kelso. Both crew who bailed out were able to walk away and to find help while both pilots were killed in the crash.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

An engine failed enroute, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a field in Oberröblingen. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

The four engine aircraft left Hamilton, Bermuda, bound for Morrison AFB located in Palm Beach, Florida. While cruising about 294 miles northeast of the Florida coast, the crew encountered severe weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and turbulence. The aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea. Some debris were found but no trace of the six occupants that were considered as deceased.

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

While flying in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt Makiling (1,090 meters high) located southeast of Calamba. The wreckage was founded three days later about 50 meters below the summit. All six occupants were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed on landing. There were no casualties.

Boeing B-29 Superfortress

The flight had originated the previous morning when the plane took off from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, for a navigational training mission to the east coast. The plane was scheduled to land at Andrews Field (Later known as Andrews Air Force Base) in Washington, D.C., but due to bad weather was diverted to Pittsburgh Airport where it arrived at 1507LT. After refueling, the aircraft proceeded towards Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Massachusetts, where it was to remain overnight before flying back to Arizona the following day. However, the weather grew worse, and with poor visibility and darkness falling the crew became lost, ending up over Vermont instead of Massachusetts. Shortly after midnight on June 15, the bomber crashed into the southeast side of Hawks Mountain and exploded. All twelve men aboard were killed, and to this day the incident remains the worst aviation accident to ever occur in Vermont. Crew: 1st Lt Robert G. Fessler, pilot, 2nd Lt Wilfred E. Gassett, copilot, 2nd Lt Ceasare P. Fontana, observer, M/Sgt D. D. Jack, crew chief, T/Sgt Paul H. Fetterhoff, T/Sgt Clayton K. Knight, S/Sgt Oliver W. Hartwell, S/Sgt Sylvester S. Machalac, S/Sgt John J. O’Toole, Cpl Harry C. Humphrey, Cpl Robert Clark, Pfc Robert M. Stewart. Source: http://www.newenglandaviationhistory.com/tag/b-29-44-62228/

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed on landing. Crew fate unknown.

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

The aircraft was performing a flight from Seoul-Kimpo to Tachikawa AFB with several US officers and five civilians on board. While approaching the Tokyo area by night and from the southwest, the crew completed a turn at an altitude of 1,500 meters in marginal weather conditions when the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located west of the city of Atsugi, about 30 km southwest of Tachikawa AFB. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and burned completely. All 41 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was 10 km with cumulus and altostratus between 1,000 and 2,500 meters.

Boeing B-29 Superfortress

Shortly after takeoff from Fort Wainwright AFB (Ladd Field), while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed in flames 3 miles east of the airfield. Nine crew members were rescued while three others were killed.

Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter

On final approach to Wright-Patterson AFB, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames in a field located 5 miles short of runway. Five crew members were killed while two others were seriously injured.

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

While approaching the Selfridge Air National Guard Base from the south, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances two miles south of Windsor, Ontario. All six occupants were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Enroute, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and decided to abandon the aircraft and to bail out. The aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a mountainous are located 5 miles southeast of Livingston. Both pilots were found unharmed.

Fairchild C-82 Packet

The crew was forced to make an emergency belly landing southeast of Bergstrom AFB, near Austin. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Crashed on landing in unknown circumstances. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all four occupants were rescued.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

In flight, all crew members decided to bail out and abandoned the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed in a pasture. The aircraft was destroyed but all occupants were safe.

Boeing B-29 Superfortress

Crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff from the Kwajalein Atoll Airport. All 16 occupants were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Shortly after takeoff from Kelly AFB, an engine failed. The aircraft passed over few houses, stalled and crashed in a cotton field. A passenger was killed while all other occupants were rescued, some of them injured. The aircraft was written off. The crew was enroute to Davis Monthan carrying the members of a baseball team taking part to a tournament.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed in unknown circumstances in a field located about 5 miles west of Decaturville. All four occupants were killed.

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Crashed in a pasture located 7 miles southeast of Kershaw while conducting a training sortie. All three crewmen were killed.

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

While descending to Stephenville from the southwest, the four engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain and crashed in the Anguille Mountain Range, about 60 km southwest of Stephenville. The aircraft was written off while all nine occupants were rescued.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed in unknown circumstances in a desert area located about 40 km southwest of Dessie. All six occupants were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Enroute, the crew was forces to make an emergency landing near Garneh. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest, written off. There were no casualties.

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

While flying at an altitude of some 2,000 feet over the Peak District National Park on a flight from Prestwick to Bovingdon, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility due to heavy snow falls. The twin engine aircraft hit the top of the Black Combe Hill and crash landed in deep snow. Both crew were slightly injured and walked away for few hours to find help. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and abandoned on site. Crew: Cpt William J. Daner, pilot, 1st Lt Arthur Garner, copilot.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed on takeoff. Crew fate unknown.

Boeing B-29 Superfortress

The crew left Fort Wainwright (Ladd Field) on a Top Secret flight over Soviet Union, a mission that should take from 12 to 20 hours. While returning to his base and flying over Greenland at an altitude of 24,000 feet, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and lost his orientation. The pilot was unable to locate his position and informed his base that he was forced to attempt an emergency landing as the fuel reserve was four minutes only. The aircraft crash landed on an icy area located about 280 NM north of Thule Airbase. The crew was rescued three days later and the aircraft christened 'Kee Bird' was abandoned. A team was created in the nineties to recover the wreckage but unfortunately, on May 21, 1995, the aircraft caught fire following a fuel leak and was destroyed. Crew (46th Reconnaissance Squadron): Vern Arnett, pilot, Russel S. Jordan, copilot, Talbert Gates, copilot, John G. Lesman, astro navigator, Burl Cowan, navigator, Robert Luedke, flight engineer, Howard Adams, radar observer, Lawrence Yarborough, gunner,0 Ernie Stewart, gunner, Paul McNamara, gunner, Robert Leader, radio operator.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed on landing in unknown circumstances. All three crew members were injured while the passenger died from his injuries few hours later. Crew: 1st Lt Walter T. Galligan, pilot, 2nd Lt Donald W. Morell, copilot, Pfc James F. Carwile, flight engineer. Passenger: Cpt John Lawlor. †

Douglas A-26 Invader

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Matsudo, killing all three crew members. Crew: Cpt Archibald R. Day, S/Sgt Samuel H. Monella, Sgt Charles A. Groover.

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Shortly after takeoff from Robins AFB, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located 2 miles east of the airport. All seven occupants were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed on landing. There were no casualties.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed in unknown circumstances 6,5 miles north of Sand Point NAS while on a flight from Great Falls (Montana) to McChord. Crew fate remains unknown.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

At 1430LT on 2nd January 1947 an SB-17 belonging to 1386th AAF Base Unit Air Sea Rescue took off from Keflavik airfield, Iceland on a local flight expected to last 2 to 3 hours, however approx 1 hour after leaving the field a snow storm developed and the crew now on instruments and were given instructions by ATC to fly to Prestwick as the visibility at Keflavik was too bad, and so a flight plan was arranged and radioed to the pilot. Expecting this to be just a local flight, the navigator was without proper charts, they had no Wireless Op on board, and little fuel for any marginal error. Drift readings were taken and bearings using the astro compass and radio compass were taken, though stronger than forecast headwinds slowed the aircraft down and it took much longer to reach their turning over Scotland, also heavy cloud hindered any visual contact, but eventually an island, that of Shetland was spotted and it was estimated that they should reach the Scottish mainland within 30 minutes, however, as they continued past their ETA, no land was sited and the Navigator suggested they do a 180 degree turn and head back to the Island, this they did and back over Shetland at approx midnight, they flew a few miles off shore, jettisoned the lifeboat, circled a number of times firing off flares, then with an estimated guess of less than an hours fuel left,the pilot gave the order to abandon the aircraft, then putting it on a SW course on autopilot, he left the aircraft himself. Three of the crew landed on the Shetland mainland itself, one came down on a tiny island in Braewick Voe, and another landed in the sea and struggled to unhitch his chute, but fortunately the wind blew him towards the shore. After a long night with the Co-Pilot suffering a sprained knee, and the Pilot suffering exposure, all were eventually found and taken to hospital where they were given hot drinks and blankets, and treated for their injuries. The Fortress went down in the sea somewhere to the West of the Shetland mainland at a location yet to be discovered. Maybe one day a fishing boat will pull up a piece of wreckage identified as coming off a Flying Fortress and the last resting place of 44-83771 will be known. Crew (1386 BU): 1/Lt W. E. Dee, pilot, 1/Lt M. H. Craven Jr., copilot, 1/Lt W. L. Pilcher, navigator, H. E. Shields, flight engineer, R. M. Gessert, flight engineer. Source: http://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=99049

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Enroute, the aircraft suffered an engine failure and the crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a field located 3,2 km north of Ferrara and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Shortly after takeoff from runway 32, while in initial climb, the aircraft banked left and right, then nosed down and crashed in a paddy field. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all 24 occupants, among them 3 civilians, were killed. The crew was completing a mail flight from Tachikawa AFB to Fukuoka with an intermediate stop in Osaka-Itami Airport. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were considered as marginal and it is believed that the left engine was not running at impact for reason that could not be determined with certainty.

Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)

After passing Innsbruck and the Austrian Alps, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and lost his orientation. The aircraft continued over Switzerland, avoid several peaks and eventually encountered katabatic winds. At a speed of 280 km/h, the aircraft lost height and crashed on the Gauli Glacier located about 10 km east of the Grindelwald winter station, at an altitude of 3,350 meters. One hour after the accident, the crew (who thought he crashed in the French Alps), sent a message that was received by ATC in Paris-Orly Airport and Istres-Le Tubé Airbase as well. French authorities made some calculation and deduced that the aircraft has crashed in the Swiss Alps and informed the Swiss authorities. Two days later, an officer based in the control tower of the Meiringen airbase located about 12 km north of the crash site received a message on his frequency as well and gave the alert. Skiers, helped with the crew of a RAF Lancaster and a USAAF B-29 were able to located the wreckage five days later. Suffering injuries due to their stay in negative temperatures, all 11 occupants were evacuated to local hospitals.

Curtiss C-46 Commando

On approach to Iwo Jima Island by night, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Pacific Ocean about 15 miles offshore. All 23 occupants were killed.

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Few minutes after takeoff from Mendoza-El Plumerillo Airport, while climbing, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in flames on the slope of Cerro El Pelado located about 30 km northwest of Mendoza. All nine occupants were rescued, seven of them were seriously injured. All crew were members were attached to the American Mission in Panama and were engaged in an equipment delivery mission to all US Embassies in South America. Photos Policia de Mendoza via Lt Col John Martin, USAF

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed into the Caribbean Sea while on a flight from Clarendon, Jamaica, to San Juan. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

At least one crew member was killed when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in Taiden, in the north suburb of Daejeon.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

The aircraft left Naples-Capodichino Airport at 0054LT bound for RAF Bovingdon with an overflight of Bastia, Istres, Lyon and Paris. As the aircraft failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended 18 days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. On July 25, 1947, mountaineers of the 99th French Alpine Infantry Battalion found the wreckage on the slope of the Aiguille des Glaciers (3,750 meters high), about 8 km southwest of the Mont-Blanc. Crew: Col Ford L. Fair, pilot, Col Hudson H. Upham, pilot, Maj Lawrence L. Cobb, copilot, 2nd Lt Alfred D. Ramirez, navigator, Sgt John E. Gilbert, flight engineer, S/Sgt William A. Hilton, assistant to flight engineer, S/Sgt Zoltan J. Dobovich, radio operator, T/Sgt William S. Cassell, assistant to radio operator.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Simmerath, about 30 km southeast of Aachen. Two crew members were injured while the captain, Norbert R. Schenk, was killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed on takeoff at Frankfurt-Main Airbase. Crew fate remains unknown.

North American B-25 Mitchell

Crashed in foggy conditions near Springfield, killing all five crew members.

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

The aircraft was carrying five crew members (US and Brazilian Officers) who were completing a demonstration flight in a simulation of bombing attack. In flight, for unknown reason, the aircraft went out of control and crashed 7 miles west of Rio de Janeiro. All five occupants were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The crew left Bremen Airport at the end of the afternoon to deliver the aircraft to Aero O/Y in Finland, with an intermediate stop in Stockholm-Bromma. While overflying Denmark, the crew encountered a fuel exhaustion and was forced to attempt an emergency landing in a snow field located 1,600 meters south of Køge. On touchdown, the aircraft overturned and came to rest upside down. While all three crew members were uninjured, the aircraft was written off.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed on takeoff following an engine failure. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

The crew was performing takeoffs and landings on rough sea off Fort Walton Beach. On takeoff, the seaplane hit waves and plunged into the water. As only one watertight door was closed, a huge amount of water flood into the plane that sank quickly about 15 miles offshore. Four crew members were rescued while three others were killed. The aircraft was never recovered. Source: http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=166047

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Belly landed. No casualties.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Enroute, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to make an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest near Donnelly, about 40 miles south of Big Delta. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.