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.

Cavalier Air Force

The aircraft was taking part to an airshow at Biggin Hill Airport for the Battle of Britain air display. Shortly after take off from runway 21, the pilot made a turn to pass over the airport when the aircraft nosed down and crashed in a huge ball of fire about 500 yards from the airfield. All seven occupants were killed. Crew: Don Bullock, pilot. Passengers: Peter Warren, Arthur Heath, Don Thompson, Kevin Vince, Gary French, Roger Russell.

Air Spray

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Slave Lake while engaged in a firefighting mission. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

University of Nevada

The airplane departed Reno in the mid-morning. En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with icing when control was lost. The airplane went into a spin and crashed, killing all four occupants.

Private American

On final approach to Chino Airport, the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were seriously injured. They were completing a ferry flight from Mojave.

Lynch Air Tankers

While completing a fire fighting mission, the pilot made a steep turn when the airplane stalled and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Don Goodman

The pilot, sole on board, departed Grand Junction Airport on a fire fighting mission. While turning to final approach for slurry drop, the twin engine airplane flew into a mountain slope and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Conair Aviation

The pilot, sole on board, was engaged in a fire fighting mission under call sign 'Tanker 24' in the region of Gates Lake, about 21 km northeast of Pemberton. The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances, killing the pilot.

Conair Aviation

While engaged in a fire fighting mission, the twin engine airplane crashed on the slope of Mt Stoyoma located 97 km southwest of Kamloops. The wreckage was found two days later and both pilots were killed.

Reeder Flying Service

The pilot, sole on board, was preparing for a local fire fighting mission. While taxiing on the apron, the Invader collided with a private Beechcraft M24R registered N2529W with one pilot on board. Following the collision, both aircraft caught fire and were destroyed. The pilot on board the Beechcraft was killed instantly while the pilot on board the Invader was seriously injured. He died three days later from his injuries.

Aero Union

The pilot, sole on board, was performing a fire fighting mission in the region of Springerville, Arizona. Approaching the drop zone, he lost control of the airplane that crashed in flames. The pilot was killed.

Rockwell Aircraft

Shortly after takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport, while climbing, the left engine failed. The pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that crashed in flames onto a house located in the district of El Segundo, by the airport. The aircraft and the house were totally destroyed and all four crew members were killed as well as two people in the house.

United States Air Force - USAF

While approaching Nakhon Phanom Airport following an interdiction mission, the crew was trying to establish whether the gear was down or not when both engines failed. The airplane stalled and crashed, killing both pilots. Crew: Cpt Neal E. Monette, Maj John V. Callanan.

Chilean Air Force - Fuerza Aérea de Chile

Few minutes after takeoff from Iquique Airport, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea some 15 km offshore. Both crew members were killed.

Aero Union

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a fire fighting mission in the region of show Low. While cruising at low height, the right engine lost power. The pilot shot down the engine and feathered the propeller and started to drop its retardant load when the left engine caught fire. He attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was seriously injured.

Colombian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Colombiana

While performing a local training flight at Apiay AFB, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances, killing both pilots.

United States Air Force - USAF

While bombing a convoy in northeast Laos, the airplane was shot down by 37mm artillery and crashed. All three crew members were killed. Crew: Cpt Carlos Rafael Cruz, Cpt William Joseph Potter, A1C Paul Leonard Foster.

Colombian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Colombiana

The twin engine airplane left Barranquilla Airport at 2106LT on a flight to Apiay AFB, Villavicencio. While cruising by night at a low altitude, the airplane struck power cables and crashed in flames near La Victoria. All four crew members were killed.

Nicaraguayan Air Force - Fuerza Aérea - Ejercito de Nicaragua

The crew was completing a local training mission at Managua-Las Mercedes Airport when he encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to abandon the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed. While both pilots were found alive, the airplane was destroyed.

United States Air Force - USAF

While cruising side-by-side with a second USAF Invader registered 64-17669, the airplane was hit by enemy fire and the right wing caught fire. The crew from the second aircraft bailed out before both aircraft collided and crashed. Both crew members were killed. Crew: Cpt James L. McCluskey, Cpt L. Michael Scruggs.

United States Air Force - USAF

While cruising side-by-side with a second USAF Invader registered 64-17668, the airplane was hit by enemy fire and the right wing caught fire. The crew from the second aircraft bailed out before both aircraft collided and crashed. Both crew members were killed. Crew: Cpt Dwight Stanley Campbell, Cpt Robert Lee Sholl.

Johnson Flying Service

While in cruising altitude, one of the engine failed while the second lost power. The crew decided to reduce his altitude and attempted an emergency landing on a beach located in Dorchester. The aircraft completed a wheels-up landing and came to rest into the sea. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was lost.

Private American

The pilot completed a VFR approach to Homer in poor weather conditions. After touchdown on a contaminated runway, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest into soft ground. All five occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was written off. At the time of the accident, the runway was contaminated with ice, slush and snow.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was returning to Nakhon Phanom Airport following a strike over Laos. On final approach, both engines failed simultaneously. The airplane stalled and crashed few km short of runway threshold. Both pilots were killed. Crew: Maj George G. Duke, Cpt Miles T. Tanimoto.

Chilean Air Force - Fuerza Aérea de Chile

Crashed in unknown circumstances while completing a flight from Santiago to Antofagasta. The airplane crashed in a mountainous area, killing both pilots.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Niquelândia while completing a flight from Parnamirim AFB (Natal), to Brasília. Two crew members were killed and two others survived.

Banner Oil Company

While approaching Scottsbluff Airport in marginal weather conditions, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames few miles short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

Chilean Air Force - Fuerza Aérea de Chile

While taking off from Lima-Callao Airport, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. All four crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed. The crew was performing a delivery flight from the US to Santiago de Chile.

Guatemalan Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca

Crashed in unknown circumstances, injuring all four crew members.

Moseley Aviation

The pilot, sole on board, departed Deer Valley to take part to a firefighting mission near Roosevelt. While flying at low height and starting a swath run, the airplane struck the ground and crashed. The pilot was killed.

Chilean Air Force - Fuerza Aérea de Chile

The crew was performing a demonstration flight, taking part to the celebrations of the 34th Anniversary of the Chilean Air Force. While approaching at low height in front of 6,000 spectators, the left engine caught fire. The captain modified his route and left the area to attempt an emergency landing when the aircraft lost height. While the captain was able to bail out, both other crew members, the copilot and the flight mechanic, were killed when the airplane crashed in flames in an open field.

United States Air Force - USAF

En route, the right wing failed. The airplane entered a dive and eventually crashed in a huge explosion, killing all three crew members.

Colombian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Colombiana

Crashed shortly after takeoff from Cartagena Airport, killing all three crew members.

French Air Force - Armée de l'Air

The crew departed Cazaux AFB for a combined exercise with two other Douglas A-26 Invader. The collision between the three aircraft occurred in unclear circumstances. While one crew was able to bail out before his plane crashed, both other airplanes crashed in a field, killing all seven crew members. All three airplanes were attached to the Groupe de Bombardement 2/91 Guyenne.

French Air Force - Armée de l'Air

The crew departed Cazaux AFB for a combined exercise with two other Douglas A-26 Invader. The collision between the three aircraft occurred in unclear circumstances. While one crew was able to bail out before his plane crashed, both other airplanes crashed in a field, killing all seven crew members. All three airplanes were attached to the Groupe de Bombardement 2/91 Guyenne.

French Air Force - Armée de l'Air

The crew departed Cazaux AFB for a combined exercise with two other Douglas A-26 Invader. The collision between the three aircraft occurred in unclear circumstances. While one crew was able to bail out before his plane crashed, both other airplanes crashed in a field, killing all seven crew members. All three airplanes were attached to the Groupe de Bombardement 2/91 Guyenne.

Chilean Air Force - Fuerza Aérea de Chile

The crew departed Antofagasta-Cerro Moreno Airport for a local training mission. In flight, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the Pacific Ocean. SAR operations were conducted but no trace of the airplane nor the crew was found. Crew: Lt M. Sepúlveda, 1st Lt G. Figueroa, 1st Lt P. Figueroa.

French Air Force - Armée de l'Air

The crew left Oran-Es Senia Airport on a night patrol flight over the Morice Line located in the east part of Algeria. While cruising by night in formation with a second Douglas A-26 registered 44-35765 (F-UIJH), both airplanes collided and crashed, killing all eight occupants on both aircraft.

French Air Force - Armée de l'Air

The crew left Oran-Es Senia Airport on a night patrol flight over the Morice Line located in the east part of Algeria. While cruising by night in formation with a second Douglas A-26 registered 44-34411 (F-UIJD), both airplanes collided and crashed, killing all eight occupants on both aircraft.

Chilean Air Force - Fuerza Aérea de Chile

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Antofagasta, killing both crew members, a pilot and a mechanic.

Cuban Air Force - Fuerza Aérea del Ejército de Cuba

Shot down by a US ship during the Bay of Pigs invasion. The airplane crashed into the sea off Playa Girón, killing all four crew members.