Burbank – Phoenix

On October 23, 1942 at 05:15 PM, Burbank – Phoenix experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-3, operated by American Airlines, with the event recorded near Palm Springs California.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was flight at a mountains crash site.

12 people were known to be on board, 12 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 9, passenger fatalities: 9, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. While cruising on airway 5 at an altitude of 9,000 feet, the DC-3 collided with a USAAF Lockheed B-34 Ventura II registered 41-38116 and performing a flight from Long Beach to Palm Springs with two pilots on board. Following the collision, the DC-3 dove into the ground and crashed 3 miles north of Palm Springs, killing all 12 occupants. The Ventura was able to land safely at Palm Springs Airport. The American composer Ralph Rainger was among the passengers. Crew: Charles Fred Pedley, pilot, Louis Frederick Reppert Jr., copilot, Estelle Frances Regan, stewardess.

Aircraft reference details include registration NC16017, MSN 1555, year of manufacture 1936.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 33.8246°, -116.5403°.