Douglas A-26 Invader

Air Spray

The pilot, sole on board, was engaged in a fire fighting mission and was supposed to leave Rainbow Lake for High Level. During the takeoff roll, at a speed of 90 knots, one of the engine lost power. The pilot rejected takeoff and released the load of fire retardant. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, rolled for about 1,200 feet then struck a drainage ditch and came to rest. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Air Spray

The pilot, sole on board, departed Loon River Airport on a fire fighting mission to La Biche Lake under callsign Tanker 3. While returning to Grand Prairie Airport, on final approach to runway 25, both engines failed almost simultaneously. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed 3 km short of runway. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

J. R. Acosta

One pilot and one engineer took off from Bogotá-El Dorado Airport on a post maintenance check flight. After takeoff, while completing a left turn, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed near residential area in Bogotá. Fortunately, both occupants were rescued and no one on ground was injured.

Edward G. Counselman

The pilot received a weather briefing before takeoff, but did not file a flight plan. During the flight, the aircraft (Douglas A-26C, N4813E) crashed in mountainous terrain at an elevation of about 11,200 feet near Baldy Mountain. Scouting personnel, who were camped in the vicinity, reported the weather was poor with a low ceiling, restricted visibility, rain and hail. An examination of the crash site revealed the aircraft impacted in a steep, right wing low, nose low attitude. Much of the wreckage collapsed into the impact crater. The degree of destruction was consistent with a high speed impact. Chordwise scratch marks were found on the prop blades. Several tree branches and limbs at the crash site had smooth cuts. The pilot was type rated in the A-26, but his certificate had a limitation that restricted him to flying it in 'VFR only.' Neither the pilot nor the rated passenger held an instrument rating. The rated passenger did not have a type rating in the A-26, but the pilot possessed a waiver to fly N4813E as a single pilot airplane. Both occupants were killed.

Jim Ricketts

The aircraft had not flown for two years and was being checked out for a ferry flight to the USAF Air Museum in Fargo, ND. During initial climb from Cox Field at Paris, TX, the left engine lost total power and the right engine lost partial power. An off airport forced landing was attempted, however, the aircraft impacted the terrain and trees. The reason for the power loss was not determined. Both pilots escaped with minor injuries.

Ada Aircraft Museum

An intermittent fire in the left engine accessory section led to loss of fuel to the engine. The right engine ingested water and quit. The landing gear had been left pinned in the down position because of a malfunction reported on the previous flight. Neither propeller was feathered, but the resulting high rate of descent led to a forced landing before the left tank blew up and the wing burned off. The aircraft was destroyed by fire after all three occupants escaped without serious injury. The aircraft was being ferried to another facility for restoration.

Air Spray

While on a fire fighting mission, the left wing detached in flight and the aircraft crashed, bursting into flames. Sole on board, the pilot was killed. It is believed that the wing detached following a structural failure.

Lynch Air Tankers

The pilot and aircraft had been fighting forest fires earlier in the day. A late developing fire necessitated another dispatch. The aircraft arrived on scene and checked in with the lead aircraft circling overhead coordinating the fire fighting efforts. The tanker made two runs over the fire area following the lead aircraft. After the second run, the aircraft banked left in a level turn to make another run without using the lead aircraft. During the third run the tanker struck trees near the top of a 1,800 feet ridgeline. Witnesses on the ground remarked how low the aircraft was. According to the pilot's peers, he took pride in doing his job well and always strove to put the chemical right on target. There had been occasions in the past where this zeal to succeed had resulted in his going lower than the 150 feet agl minimum altitude mandated by forestry service regs. He had, on occasions, returned to base with tree foliage stuck in his aircraft. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Air Spray

Crashed in unknown circumstances while engaged in a fire fighting mission. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Calspan Corporation

In flight, the twin engine airplane suffered a wing failure and crashed near Edwards AFB. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.