Oakland – Medford
Flight / Schedule
Oakland – Medford
Aircraft
Boeing 40Registration
NC10347
MSN
1428
Year of Manufacture
1930
Operator
Pacific Air TransportDate
September 16, 1931 at 04:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Crash Location
Oakland California
Region
North America • United States of America
Coordinates
37.8045°, -122.2714°
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On September 16, 1931 at 04:00 AM, Oakland – Medford experienced a crash involving Boeing 40, operated by Pacific Air Transport, with the event recorded near Oakland California.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.
4 people were known to be on board, 4 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 3, passenger fatalities: 3, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after takeoff from Oakland Airport, while climbing at night, the pilot encountered an unexpected situation. He attempted to return to the airport when he lost control of the airplane that crashed in the San Francisco Bay, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.
Aircraft reference details include registration NC10347, MSN 1428, year of manufacture 1930.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 37.8045°, -122.2714°.
Fatalities
Total
4
Crew
1
Passengers
3
Other
0
Crash Summary
Shortly after takeoff from Oakland Airport, while climbing at night, the pilot encountered an unexpected situation. He attempted to return to the airport when he lost control of the airplane that crashed in the San Francisco Bay, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
3
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 4
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Oakland – Medford
Operator
Pacific Air TransportFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Region / Country
North America • United States of America
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
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.
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.
United States Signal Corps - USSC
De Havilland DH.4
The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances.
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.
U.S. Air Mail Service
De Havilland DH.4
Crashed following an engine failure. Pilot fate unknown.
United States Signal Corps - USSC
De Havilland DH.4
The accident occurred in unknown circumstances.
