Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Hawkins %26 Powers Aviation

The Fairchild C-119G airtanker had been dispatched to a fire about six miles west of Castle Crags State Park, California at 17:05 and departed the Siskiyou County Airport, CA (SIY) shortly thereafter. N48076, another airtanker of the same kind, a leadplane, and an air attack arrived at the fire at the same time. Two more airtankers followed shortly thereafter. The leadplane identified the target, the approach and departure routes, indicated the target was at an elevation of 4,500 feet, that the ridge on final approach was to be crossed at 6,600 feet, advised there was no wind, there was good visibility, and that there was no turbulence except a "1.5g bump" going across the head of the fire. The leadplane directed one of the C-119 airtankers to drop first. That airtanker aborted their first run because of excess speed. On the second pass, it crossed the ridge at a different point, permitting a somewhat longer final approach. That drop was a successful one. The run was made through a saddle then down a creek to the fire some two miles down stream with a planned exit down stream into a larger canyon. The leadplane then directed the mishap C-119G airtanker to drop next. The mishap airtanker used the same approach as the first airtanker. The mishap airtanker reached the uphill side of the fire when the crew reported trouble maintaining proper speed and dropped their retardant on the fire. At about the time the pilot dropped the retardant, a structural failure occurred and the right wing separated from the airframe along with the tip of the left wing and the tail booms. The fuselage with both engines and most of the left wing attached encountered terrain impact and burned as a unit. Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire

Northern Pacific Transport

The airplane was destabilized by a slight vertical air movement on approach. The pilot touched the airplane down short of the runway proper, collapsing the landing gear before sliding off the strip into adjacent tundra. All five occupants escaped uninjured.

Hawkins %26 Powers Aviation

The pilot was attempting a takeoff on an airstrip where braking action was considered good during the normal summer season. It was about 3,000 feet in elevation and was snow covered most of the year, as on the day of the accident. The strip accommodated takeoffs to the south only due to grading and obstructions. Frequently, this meant a downwind takeoff. On the day of the accident, there was a 5 knots wind from the north with gusts to 10 knots. The pilot said that nose wheel steering was not effective due to the surface and the rudder was not responsive due to the tailwind. Most pilots used a 25° (right turn) dogleg of the runway at the north end to start their takeoff, especially when tailwinds were present. The accident aircraft went off the runway to the left and collided with a snowbank where it nosed over. All four occupants escaped uninjured.

Republic of China Air Force

Shortly after takeoff from Kinmen-Shang Yi Airport (Quemoy Island), while climbing, the right engine caught fire. The aircraft lost height and crashed into the sea few hundred meters off shore. Nine occupants were rescued while 31 others were killed.

Supra International

While taxiing on the icy Kagoak River, the airplane went through the ice and partially sank. There were no injuries.

Gifford Aviation

Upon landing at Dahl Creek, the right main gear collapsed. The airplane slid for few dozen yards before coming to rest. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Hemet Valley Flying Service

The airplane departed Santa Barbara Airport at 0857LT, heading for a fire burning on the Los Padres National Forest. The airtanker arrived at the fire location and was given direction for the drop by the Incident Commander (IC). The IC instructed the airtanker pilots to keep the drop high because of steep terrain and snags. They were also instructed to drop only one-half the retardant, saving the remainder for another run. The airtanker pilots acknowledged the instructions. The airtanker pilots notified the IC that they were on final approach. As the airtanker approached the intended drop area, the IC noted from the sound of the engines that they were "revved up." He also heard cracking and popping sounds. When the airtanker came into his sight, the IC and another person noticed that the drop doors on the airtanker were not open and that the landing gear was retracted. The IC had worked with this airtanker and its crewmembers on several previous occasions. The IC noted that the airtanker was lower than he had expected, traveling at an air speed higher than he had observed on previous drops, and that the airtanker was in a descending attitude. The IC and one other person observed the airtanker continue past the intended drop site and then suddenly drop vertically approximately 50 to 100 feet. At that moment, the left wing tip (approximately half of the total left wing span) flexed downward, snapped off, and began cartwheeling along behind the airtanker. The airtanker began to roll left, its nose began to drop, it began to strike trees, and then it struck ground at 0927. The captain and copilot were fatally injured upon impact. The aircraft was totally destroyed. Source: USDA & USFS

Hawkins %26 Powers Aviation

En route from Bettles to Fort Yukon on a fire fighting mission, the airplane was climbing when the right engine caught fire and exploded. The captain ordered the four passengers (firefighters) and the copilot to evacuate the cabin and the captain, sole on board, attempted an emergency landing on a sandbar located near the Kayokuk River. All six occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Gifford Aviation

On landing at King Salmon Airport, the left engine fire warning sounded. In the meantime, an explosion occurred in the left wing tip. The crew lost control of the airplane that veered off runway and came to rest in flames. While both occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Republic of China Air Force

Around 1400LT, the aircraft departed Chiayi on a liaison flight to Hsinchu. Weather conditions en route were not favorable with low clouds. About an hour into the flight, while cruising in clouds, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Daxue. The wreckage was found two months later, in October, in an isolated area. All 20 occupants were killed. Among the 15 passengers, seven were from the 41st Squadron and eight from the 42nd Squadron. Crew: Cpt Peng Tiansheng, pilot, Lt Zhang Shouxin, copilot, Sgt Peng Xingren, Zhou Jie +1.