44

Shortly after takeoff from Heller Field, while climbing, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed. The passenger was killed and the pilot was seriously injured. It was reported that the passenger was unauthorized on this flight.

Flight / Schedule

44

Aircraft

Curtiss JN-4

Registration

44

Date

April 11, 1920 at 12:00 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Postal (mail)

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Heller Field (Newark) New Jersey

Region

North America • United States of America

Narrative Report

On April 11, 1920 at 12:00 AM, 44 experienced a crash involving Curtiss JN-4, operated by U.S. Air Mail Service, with the event recorded near Heller Field (Newark) New Jersey.

The flight was categorized as postal (mail) and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

2 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 1 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 50.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 1, passenger fatalities: 1, other fatalities: 0.

Shortly after takeoff from Heller Field, while climbing, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed. The passenger was killed and the pilot was seriously injured. It was reported that the passenger was unauthorized on this flight.

Aircraft reference details include registration 44.

Fatalities

Total

1

Crew

0

Passengers

1

Other

0

Crash Summary

Shortly after takeoff from Heller Field, while climbing, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed. The passenger was killed and the pilot was seriously injured. It was reported that the passenger was unauthorized on this flight.

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

1

Passengers On Board

1

Estimated Survivors

1

Fatality Rate

50.0%

Known people on board: 2

Operational Details

Flight Type

Postal (mail)

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

North America • United States of America

Aircraft Details

Aircraft

Curtiss JN-4

Registration

44

Similar Plane Crashes

May 2, 1918 at 12:00 AM2 Fatalities

United States Signal Corps - USSC

De Havilland DH.4

The single engine airplane departed Dayton-McCook Field for a local test flight. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft stalled and crashed, killing both occupants. Crew: Maj Oscar Brindley, Lt Col Henry Damm.

June 19, 1918 at 12:00 AM1 Fatalities

United States Signal Corps - USSC

De Havilland DH.4

Lt. Frank Stuart Patterson, son and nephew of the co-founders of National Cash Register, is killed in the crash of his DH.4M, AS-32098, at Wilbur Wright Field during a flight test of a new mechanism for synchronizing machine gun and propeller, when a tie rod breaks during a dive from 15,000 feet (4,600 m), causing the wings to separate from the aircraft. Wishing to recognize the contributions of the Patterson family (owners of NCR) the area of Wright Field east of Huffman Dam (including Wilbur Wright Field, Fairfield Air Depot, and the Huffman Prairie) is renamed Patterson Field on 6 July 1931, in honor of Lt. Patterson.

November 9, 1918 at 12:00 AM

United States Signal Corps - USSC

De Havilland DH.4

The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances.

November 12, 1918 at 12:00 AM1 Fatalities

United States Signal Corps - USSC

De Havilland DH.4

The crew was completing a training mission. At an altitude of about 4,000 feet, the aircraft entered a spin and crashed in an open field near Everman-Barron Field Airport. A crew was killed and the second occupants was injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

November 14, 1918 at 12:00 AM

U.S. Air Mail Service

De Havilland DH.4

Crashed following an engine failure. Pilot fate unknown.

November 20, 1918 at 12:00 PM

United States Signal Corps - USSC

De Havilland DH.4

The accident occurred in unknown circumstances.