United States Coast Guard - USCG

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

While performing a SAR mission for a 12 foot boat that was missing since two days, the aircraft collided with a Bell AH-1 Suber Cobra operated by the US Marine Corps. Both machines crashed into the sea some 24 km off the San Clemente Island and all occupants were missing. SAR were abandoned on 01NOV2013 as no trace of the Hercules and the Cobra were found. It appears that the Cobra's crew was taking part of an exercise in an area reserved for training missions. At the time of the accident, the Cobra had its anticollision lights and IFF transponder switched off.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

The aircraft departed Kodiak on a cargo flight to Saint Paul Island, carrying nine crew members and a 19,000 litres fuel truck. Upon landing on runway 36, the airplane fish tailed twice, causing the right wing to struck the runway surface. The wingtip was sheared off as well as the engine n°4 propeller. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overrun, lost its undercarriage and came to rest few dozen metres further. All nine occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

The crew departed Shemya Airport at 0810LT on a short flight of 10 minutes to the Casco Grove Coast Guard Station (LORAN Station) based on Attu Island. At that time, weather conditions were considered as good with clouds down to 400 feet, broken at 2,000 feet, visibility eight miles and wind from 210 at 20 knots. Because of the short flight, the crew did not take the time to align the aircraft's inertial navigation system prior to departure. Upon arrival to Casco Grove Airport, weather deteriorated and the captain elected to maintain visual contact with the water surface while the copilot and the navigator were monitoring the approach on radar. On approach to the airport, the crew failed to realize their altitude was too low when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located about 3 miles southwest of runway 02 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and caught fire after impact. A crew member and one passenger were killed while 9 other occupants were injured.

Convair C-131 Samaritan

The crew was completing a local training flight at Corpus Christi Airport. Following an approach in reduced visibility due to foggy conditions, the airplane landed hard on runway 10R. Upon touchdown, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. All eight crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross

This crew was dropping parachute flares to illuminate a search area when one of the flares accidentally ignited in the aircraft. Intense smoke incapacitated the pilots and crew and the aircraft became uncontrolled and crashed into the sea. All six crew members were killed. LCDR Francis W. Miller, LTJG Jerald M. Mack, AD1 Harold D. Brown Jr., AM2 Benjamin R. Gaskins Jr., AT2 John F. Harrison, AT2 John P. Pledger.

Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross

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.

Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross

The crew was completing a flight from the State of Montana to Juneau, Alaska. En route, he was requested to take part to a SAR mission after a small plane carrying two people was missing. In the region of the Sloko Lake, the seaplane struck a mountain and crashed. Three crew members were killed and three others were rescued. Those killed were: Lt Robert D. Brown, Lt David J. Bain, AT2 Robert W. Striff Jr.

Fairchild C-123 Provider

The crew was engaged in a local training flight and was supposed to complete touch-and-go maneuvers. After touchdown, the pilot-in-command increase the engine power to takeoff when the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. All four crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross

On a Sunday night search and rescue case the aircraft and crew responded to a request for assistance from a fishing vessel reportedly taking on water 20 miles off the coast. The same plane and crew had just returned from another search of over six hours. The entire crew perished when their seaplane struck the water while attempting to deliver a dewatering pump to a sinking vessel. No trace of the aircraft nor the six crew members was found. Crew: Lt Clifford E. Hanna, Lt Jg Charles F. Shaw, AD1 Ralph H. Studstill, AT1 Eckley M. Powlus Jr., AT2 James B. Thompson, AE3 Arthur L. Wilson Jr.

Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross

This HU-16E crew was performing a scheduled logistics/law enforcement mission to the Loran Station on St. Paul Island. When then arrived they encountered poor weather with a ceiling below 400-feet with light snow falling. With insufficient fuel available to reach an alternate airfield, the pilot attempted to land at the strip. On the fourth attempt to land, the plane crashed when the right wing tip struck the ground. AT2 Frank R. Edmunds was fatally injured as a result. Source: http://www.check-six.com/lib/Coast_Guard_Aviation_Casualties.htm