Grumman C-1A Trader

Fuel Services

The airplane was destroyed when it collided with tree-covered terrain and incurred a postcrash fire and explosion about 19 miles west of Willow, Alaska. The airline transport rated pilot, who was the only occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to Fuel Services, LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, and was being operated as a 14 CFR Part 91 visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country fuel transport flight when the accident occurred. Marginal visual meteorological conditions were reported at the airplane's point of departure. The accident flight originated from the Wasilla Airport, Wasilla, Alaska, about 1520, en route to the Nixon Fork Mine, about 28 miles northeast of McGrath, Alaska. According to the co-owner of the airplane, the purpose of the flight was to transport approximately 900 gallons of diesel fuel to a company owned tank that supplies fuel for a mining operation. When the airplane did not arrive at its destination, the co-owner of the airplane reported it overdue to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at 1757. After being notified of the overdue airplane, personnel from the 11th Air Force's Rescue Coordination Center initiated a search for the missing airplane along its supposed route of flight. On the morning of October 16, an Air National Guard C-130 Hercules was able to locate the wreckage. Rescue personnel aboard a HH-60G helicopter were able to reach the site later that morning, and confirmed the pilot was deceased. Two witnesses reported seeing the airplane fly over their locations. The first witness saw the airplane as it was flying northwest at an altitude that he estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 feet under an overcast layer. He stated that the airplane did not sound "normal," but he did not notice anything unusual, like smoke, trailing the airplane. The second witness stated that he saw the airplane fly over his cabin headed southeast at an estimated altitude of 300 to 400 feet. He stated that the airplane sounded like it was "struggling," but he could not see anything abnormal about the airplanes appearance. Primary radar data taken from the Anchorage Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility (TRACON), shows an unidentified aircraft, believed to be the accident airplane, depart the Wasilla airport about 1522. After departure, the track proceeded to the Northwest with cruising ground speeds of between 180 and 193 knots. No altitude or transponder code data was transmitted by the airplane. Around 1343 the radar track changed direction and proceeded to the southeast. Ground speeds after the track changed direction started at 143 knots, and gradually decreased to a low of 117 knots about 5 minutes before the accident. The last radar plot for the airplane was at 1556:47, approximately 5.5 nautical miles from the accident site, and showed a heading of 088 degrees, and a ground speed of 175 knots.

United States Navy - USN

The aircraft departed Palma de Mallorca Airport on a combined flight to Sigonella NAS with a second USN Grumman C-1A Trader registered 136772. While in cruising altitude some 150 miles east of the Balearic Islands, both aircraft collided in unknown circumstances and crashed in the Mediterranean Sea. Some debris were found floating on water but no trace of the seven crew members (four in 136753 and three on board 136772) was found.

United States Navy - USN

The aircraft departed Palma de Mallorca Airport on a combined flight to Sigonella NAS with a second USN Grumman C-1A Trader registered 136772. While in cruising altitude some 150 miles east of the Balearic Islands, both aircraft collided in unknown circumstances and crashed in the Mediterranean Sea. Some debris were found floating on water but no trace of the seven crew members (four in 136753 and three on board 136772) was found.

United States Navy - USN

The crew was completing a local training mission at Elizabeth City Airport consisting of touch-and-go maneuvers. The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all four crew members.

United States Navy - USN

The twin engine airplane departed USS Eisenhower cruising in the Mediterranean Sea bound for Chania Airport, Crete, with 11 crew members on board. While approaching Chania, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with storm activity, low clouds and a visibility limited to 2-3 miles. The airplane struck the slope of a mountain (426 meters high) located 4 km north of the airfield. Due to poor weather conditions and low visibility, the wreckage was found three days later. All 11 occupants were killed. Crew: Cdr Richard W. Beiser, Lcdr Bruce L. Cook, Ad1 Carter C. Kriz, Mm2 Michael W. Davies, Mm2 John C. Shabella, Mm2 Brian E. Haley, At1 Brian D. Laferty, Az1 David E. Newbill, Ae1 Michael A. Nichols, Ame2 Kenneth R. Sorby, Amh3 Miles T. Glover.

United States Navy - USN

The twin engine airplane was returning to San Clemente Island-Naval Auxiliary Landing Field following a routine maritime patrol flight when it crashed into the sea in unknown circumstances, few miles offshore. All four crew members were killed.

United States Navy - USN

On final approach to Atsugi NAS, the airplane went out of control and crashed on a golf course located less than 2 km from runway 01 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all six crew members were killed. Crew: Lt Laury K. Backman +5.

United States Navy - USN

The crew reported his position to Naples ATC at 1400LT en route to Sigonella NAS near Catania, Sicily. Later, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity when the airplane went out of control and crashed into the Ionian Sea off Catania. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the six crew members was found.

United States Navy - USN

The crew was engaged in a short flight from Chania to the USS Wasp that was cruising offshore. Shortly after takeoff from the Souda Bay, while climbing, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located south of the city. The wreckage was found at an altitude of 2,048 meters and all three crew members were killed.

United States Navy - USN

While being catapulted from the USS Kitty Hawk, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea. All seven passengers were quickly rescued while all three crew members were killed. Crew: Lt Cdr William Joseph Thompson, Lt Orville Dale Cooley, A03 William Henry Reeder.

United States Navy - USN

Just after he took off from the USS Hornet while on a maritime patrol flight, the crew informed ground that the right engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed into the Sea. All five crew members were quickly rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

United States Navy - USN

Shortly after taking off from USS Independence (CVA-62), the Trader stalled and crashed into the sea. A crew member was killed while nine others were rescued. The aircraft was lost.

United States Navy - USN

En route, the crew encountered technical issues with the right engine and decided to divert to Ðà N<U+1EB5>ng Airport. On final, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a cemetery. All seven occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.