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

Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross

Five Coast Guardsmen were killed when their HU-16E crashed on a mountainside near Ketchikan while returning from a search for a missing fishing vessel. The aircraft had failed to land during its first approach to the air station and was making a second attempt when it disappeared. Two days later wreckage was spotted near the summit of a mountain peak on Gravina Island, only three miles from the Air Station. Crew: Lcdr Joseph N. Andrassy, Lt Robert A. Perchard, Ao1 Harry W. Olson, Am2 Donald C. Malena, At3 Edward A. Krajniak. Source: http://www.check-six.com/lib/Coast_Guard_Aviation_Casualties.htm

Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross

The crew was performing a test flight after the aircraft had undergone an intermediate inspection in which the control columns were removed and inspected for fatigue cracks in the bottom casting. The plane was cleared for take-off and instructed to turn right immediately after take-off to avoid other traffic. Take-off was normal but immediately after leaving the runway the plane banked slightly to the left, hesitated, and then banked and then banked very rapidly to the left until it was in a 90° bank. The left wing tip struck the ground and the plane broke in two and crashed. Four crew members were killed while two others were injured. Those killed were: Lcdr Claude S. Labaw, Lt Rolland A. Faucher, AD3 Matthew R. Ross, AT3 Gerald R. Fox.

Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross

Crashed into the Salem Harbor while performing a JATO system demo flight. Two crew members were killed while four others were rescued. The aircraft was destroyed. Those killed were: LCDR Albert P. Hartt Jr., AO2 William J. Tarker Jr.

Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross

The aircraft was engaged in an ambulance flight, carrying a patient from Haines to Juneau. Upon departure, the airplane crashed into the harbor in unclear circumstances, killing the patient and all three crew members. Three other passengers were injured. Crew: Al1 Clifford E. Habecker, pilot, † Ad1 Andrew P. Tournier, copilot, † Al3 Doyle E. Jahn, flight engineer. † Passenger: Fred Harrington (patient). †

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

The crew was engaged in a medical evacuation from a vessel on the Mississippi River. Upon landing, the Catalina struck a submerged obstacle that caused the aircraft to water loop, separating the wing from the fuselage. The aircraft quickly sank and was lost. Three crew members were killed while three others were injured. Crew killed were: Ens V. C. Fleck, Ad2 J. C. Netherland, Aic M. L. Sweet.

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

The aircraft was on a cross-country flight. Following an overnight stop in La Crosse, Wisconsin, due to poor weather, the aircraft departed the next morning for nearby Fort McCoy, to refuel. After refueling, the airplane departed Fort McCoy for Wright-Patterson AFB but during initial climb, the left engine lost power. The pilot-in-command elected to return and completed a turn to the left when the aircraft stalled and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed. Crew: Lcdr LeWayne N. Felts, Cpt Phillip M. Clinton, 1st Lt Rory G. Jahn, Cwo Kenneth Ziegler.

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

Shortly after takeoff from Agana-Harmon Field, while climbing by night, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. The crew elected to return for a safe landing when the seaplane stalled and crashed near the airport. Three crew members were killed while two others were rescued. The aircraft was destroyed. Those killed were: Lcdr R. S. McClendon, Lt M. L. McGregor, Sk3 H. J. Beltz.

Lockheed 18 LodeStar

The twin engine aircraft was returning from Newark and was diverted from National Airport due to a severe snowstorm, to Baltimore Municipal Airport. While approaching, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all four crew members. The wreckage was located two days later after an extensive search by Army, Navy and Coast Guard aircraft. Crew: Lcdr Charles W. Schuh, Lt Jg William N. Killebrew, Amm1 Charles A. MacArthur, Arm1 Rudolph H. Schoning.

Grumman G-44 Widgeon

While descending to Chattanooga Airport by night, the seaplane hit tree tops and crashed in flames in a wooded area located in Signal Mountain, north of Chattanooga. Both crew members were killed. Crew: Ens Roger W. Whale, Amm1 Kristian F. Anderson.

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

The crew left Port Angeles in the morning on a flight to Elizabeth City, North Carolina, with a first intermediate stop scheduled in Medford, Oregon. The purpose of the flight was to convoy the seaplane for maintenance in Elizabeth City. After four hours into the flight, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. While flying at a height of some 5,000 feet, the left wing hit a peak and was sheared off. The aircraft crashed and burst into flames on the slope of Mt Richter, at the altitude of 4,200 feet. Both passengers were rescued while four crew members were killed. Crew: Lt Ralph E. Osterberg, pilot, Lt John W. MacIntosh Jr., copilot, Mate Roy Mason, mechanic, AC1 Ruffin E. Crosby, radio operator. Passengers: Mr. Creasy, Mr. Savage. Source: http://www.check-six.com/Coast_Guard/PBY_Mountain_Crash.htm

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

While on a ferry flight from CGAS Biloxi to NAS Seattle for overhaul, the pilot reported an oil leak in the right engine. He then reported a single engine operation and requested an emergency clearance to Fort Worth. The aircraft proceeded out the north leg of the Fort Worth range where the other engine stopped due to an unknown cause, and the propeller was feathered. The aircraft emerged from the clouds in a spin to the left and impacted the ground. All seven crew members were killed and the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces. Crew: Lt Vaughn E. Salisbury, Cpt Ernest C. Lindsey, Ammc John E. Vallowe, Arm1 William L. Hickman, Amm2 George L. Proffitt, Amm1 Oswald D. Jacobson, Cpl Marion Higgins.

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Elizabeth City, killing both crew members Ensign Walter D. Huston and Arm1 J. A. Wood.

Grumman G-21A Goose

En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and the seaplane hit a mountain located near Blyn. All four crew members were killed. Crew: L/Cdr Frederick L. Westbrook, Lt Jg C. R. Heussy, Cpt E. H. Muyskens, RM1 T. E. Kesner.

Grumman G-21A Goose

The aircraft departed on a test flight and was diverted to confirm a reported sighting of a submarine southeast of Nantucket. The weather deteriorated and darkness set in after the aircraft departed the station. The rain and gathering darkness limited visibility and the aircraft consequently impacted the cliffs on Block Island, killing all three crew members. Crew: Lt Robert J. Lafferty, AMM1 S. J. Tarapchak, RM1 W. A. Boutillier.

Douglas Dolphin

The crew was engaged in a maritime patrol flight off California. While cruising at low height in poor visibility due to fog, the aircraft hit a rock near the Farallon Island and crashed. All three crew members were killed. Crew: AMM1 Leonard L. Stonerock, RM1 John C. Gill, AMM1 Fleet D. Hancock. Source & photo: http://www.jacksjoint.com/Farallons_Tragedy.htm

Naval Aircraft Factory PH-2

The crew was engaged in a SAR mission in an attempt to find the vessel christened 'Atlantis' which disappeared recently. In unknown circumstances, the seaplane crashed into the some 240 km southeast of New York. Three crew members were killed while all five other occupants were injured.

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

Crashed in unknown circumstances off Kaena, Oahu Island, Hawaii. Four crew were killed as two other were injured.

Douglas Dolphin

Lieutenant Luke Christopher had been ordered from the Cape May Air Station to pick up a sick man in Assateague Harbor from an Assateague surfboat. He picked up the patient to transport him to the Norfolk Hospital, but crashed on takeoff and died shortly after. The sick man, who survived the crash, was later transported to the hospital at Salisbury, Maryland.

Douglas Dolphin

Crashed in unknown circumstances.