Western Air Express

Boeing 247

While overflying Saugus at 5,200 feet, aircraft was already 300 feet to low. Pilot tried to contact ATC without any success. Due to low visibility caused by foggy conditions, pilot did not realize he was flying at an insufficient altitude. In a descent rate of 525 feet per minute, the twin engine aircraft hit the Pinetos Peak located near Newhall, north of Burbank. The copilot and four passengers, among them the explorer Martin Johnson, were killed. Crew: William W. Lewis, pilot, Clifford P. Owens, copilot, † Esther Jo Conner, stewardess.

Boeing 247

While approaching Salt Lake City Airport by night and poor weather conditions, crew was unable to establish his real position and was unaware that the aircraft deviated from the approach path to the east. While cruising at an altitude of 11,000 feet at a speed of 207 miles an hour, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of mount Lone Peak (11,253 feet high) located some 20 miles southeast of the airport. SAR teams were unable to locate the aircraft and all operations were suspended few days later. The debris were eventually found on July 4, 1937. Crew: S. J. Samson, pilot, William L. Bogan, copilot, Gladys Witt, stewardess. Passengers: C. Christopher, Mr. & Mrs. John Wolf, E. W. Edwards.

Boeing 247

Few minutes after take off from Burbank Airport, while climbing at a height of 1,000 feet in foggy conditions, aircraft went out of control, stalled, hit power cables and crashed in flames in a field. All three occupants, two pilots and a stewardess, were killed.

Fokker Super Universal

The pilot, sole on board, departed Trinidad on a cargo flight to Santa Fe. En route, while cruising at an altitude of 800 feet, the engine failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in an open field. The airplane rolled for few dozen metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. The pilot evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Fokker Super Universal

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

Fokker F10

Suffered an accident in Lynndyl. There were no casualties.

Boeing 40

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

Fokker F10

The three engine airplane departed Salt Lake City in the evening of December 21 on a cargo flight to Alhambra, carrying one passenger, two crew members and a load of 1,445 pounds of Christmas mail. After landing at Alhambra Airport, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest against a house, bursting into flames. All three occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft, the cargo and the house were totally destroyed by fire. Crew: Bart Cox, George Sherwood.

Stearman C-3

Crashed in unknown circumstances. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and the pilot, sole on board, was injured.

Boeing 95

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a night mail flight from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City. En route, weather conditions deteriorated and while attempting an emergency landing, he lost control of the airplane that crashed in a mountainous area located about 20 km west of St George, Utah, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was seriously injured.