Lockheed C-60 LodeStar

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

After takeoff from Campo de Marte AFB, while on a training flight to Belém, control was lost and the twin engine airplane crashed in flames. All three crew members were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Private American

At lift off, the right engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed. There were no casualties but the airplane owned by Walker P. Inman was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Spanish Air Force - Ejército del Aire

Shortly after takeoff from Madrid-Barajas Airport, en route to León, an engine exploded. The aircraft went out of control and crashed, killing both crew members.

New Zealand National Airways

The descent to Paraparaumu was started in marginal weather conditions. On approach, at an altitude of 2,000 feet, the twin engine aircraft christened 'Keruru' hit tree tops and crashed on the wooded slope of a mountain located in Waikanae, about 11 km from the airport. The wreckage was reached by rescuers two hours later. The aircraft was destroyed and all 15 occupants were killed.

Israeli Air Force - Heyl Ha'avir

Crashed on landing for unknown reason. Both crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

SABENA - Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation Aérienne

Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. All five occupants were killed.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

Shortly after takeoff from Campo de Marte Airbase, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed. All occupants escaped injured while two people on the ground were killed.

Compañia Transandina de Aviación

During initial climb, while at a height of some 300 meters, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea few hundred yards off shore. Both crew members were killed.

Compañia Transandina de Aviación

Few minutes after takeoff from Medellín-Las Playas Airport, the crew decided to return for an emergency landing. On final, the twin engine aircraft crashed in flames in a field and was destroyed. Both occupants were uninjured.

TACA International Airlines - Transportes Aéreos Centro Americanos

Crashed into a mountain while on a flight from Bogota to Bucaramanga. All five occupants were killed.

TACA International Airlines - Transportes Aéreos Centro Americanos

Shortly after takeoff from Medellin Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Cerro del Padre Amaya located 12 km northwest of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 8 occupants were killed.

Mexican Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Mexicana

Shortly after takeoff from Puebla-Hermanos Serdán-Huejotzingo Airport, while in initial climb, the crew informed ground that the right engine malfunctioned and elected to return. Shortly later, the aircraft stalled and crashed few km from the airport. All 21 occupants were killed.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

The twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in Fortaleza. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants, among them General Silva Paranhos, were injured.

Air France

The twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a wooded area located about 60 km west of Bangui Airport. All eight occupants were killed, among them Prince Vinh San of Vietnam. Crew: Guy Porte, pilot, Lucien Coulomb, radio navigator, Louis Rebout, flight engineer.

SABENA - Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation Aérienne

Few minutes after takeoff from Cotonou, the crew encountered engine problems and elected to make an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a field located in Kouandé, west of Cotonou, and was destroyed by fire. All occupants were able to evacuate and were unhurt.

Transport Aérien Militaire

The aircraft was on its way from Antananarivo to Paris with an intermediate stop in Tripoli. Shortly after take off, the twin engine aircraft christened 'Koufra' crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all eight occupants. The flight was conducted on behalf of the French Ministère de l'Air (Direction Technique et Industrielle). Crew: André Vercruysse, pilot, Daniel Levesque, radio navigator, Georges Deloustal, flight engineer.

British Overseas Airways Corporation - BOAC

The twin engine aircraft left Stockholm-Bromma that day bound for Östersund Airport. Enroute, the crew lost his orientation and was unable to locate his position. After eight hours and 20 minutes of flight, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing in the Gulf of Botnia, few miles off Sikeå. While all nine occupants were quickly rescued, the aircraft sank and was lost. Crew: Aage Shaaning, pilot, Mr. Aaslid, copilot, Mr. Klaussen, radio operator.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Shortly after takeoff from runway 03, while in initial climb at a height of 30 feet, the right engine lost power. In the mean time, undercarriage was retracted. The speed decreased, the aircraft banked left and eventually crashed in a field located half a mile from the airport. Five passengers were killed while nine other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The crew was engaged in a test flight at Wright-Patterson AFB. Shortly after takeoff, in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion in a hangar. Many explosions occurred, the hangar was destroyed as well as several aircraft, including a Consolidated B-32 Dominator registered 42-10873, a Douglas C-47A-10-DL registered 42-23357 and a Boeing B-29 Superfortress registered 42-63598. All three crew members and five employees in the hangar were killed in the accident. Those killed were: 1st Lt Elwin I. Brawner Jr., Pfc Eugene L. Fisher, 2nd Lt Robert E. Jackson, Pfc John L. Ravegum, Pvt Browder A. Richmond, T/Sgt Russel P. Schryer, Sgt Albert B. Weathers, Sgt William W. Wilson.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

During takeoff roll, a tyre burst. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in flames. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.

Mexican Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Mexicana

The crew started the takeoff procedure by night and in foggy conditions. Shortly after rotation, the twin engine aircraft failed to climb properly, hit a perimeter fence and crashed in flames in a field located near the Balbuena District. Two crew members and seven passengers were killed, among them the Ambassador of Soviet Union in Mexico, Constantino Oumansky who was travelling to Costa Rica with his wife and his staff. Both survivors were the flight engineer Manuel Noble Mercado and the passenger Marión Troyinsky. Crew: Cpt Roque Velazco Cerón, pilot, † Cpt Hilario Romero Martínez, pilot, † Manuel Noble Mercado, flight engineer.

Transport Aérien Militaire

Few minutes after take off from Algiers Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. All 12 occupants were killed, among them the French Colonel Lionel de Marmier, faithful Officer of the General de Gaulle. He was flying back to Paris to take over the top management of Air France. Crew: Robert Guilloux, pilot, Roger Henry, radio navigator, Emile Guillot, flight engineer.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

While on a flight from Hondo AAF, the crew started the descent to Fresno by night when at the altitude of 4,300 feet, the twin engine aircraft hit the north slope of Mt Bear located some 18 miles southeast of Bakersfield. All nine occupants were killed. Crew and passengers: Clarence W. DeGroff, 1st Lt Hobert D. Simpson Jr., 2nd Lt James F. Applewhite, 2nd Lt Jimmie E. Hoch, 2nd Lt Louis J. Hoekstra, F/O Otto F. Illias, F/O Michel D. Pavich, Sgt Ira R. Ratliff, Pfc Walter H. Denk.

Royal Air Force - RAF

During the take off run, the right engine lost power and the aircraft started to turn to the right. The pilot tried to correct this but his reaction was excessive so the aircraft turn left and veered off runway, rolling towards the airport building. The pilot immediately retracted the gear so the aircraft sank and slid for several yards before coming to rest. While there was no casualties, the aircraft was written off.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Crashed on take off for unknown reason. Crew fate unknown as well.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Shortly after take off from Monroe-Selman Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot retracted the landing gear when the left engine misfired. The aircraft bank left when the right engine misfired as well. The pilot put the aircraft in a flat position in an attempt to make an emergency landing. Suddenly, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a wooded area located 1 mile from the airfield. All five crew members were killed. They were engaged in a training exercise.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The crew departed Huntington on a training mission to Newark. En route, the weather conditions deteriorated, the crew requested ATC assistance and was eventually rerouted to Elmira-Corning Airport, NY. Twice, the crew was forced to abandon the approach due to poor visibility and made a go around. During the third attempt to land, the twin engine aircraft was too low and hit a mountain located some 11 km west of the airport. All six occupants were killed.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

En route, both engines failed, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing 37 km north of Cairo-Payne AFB. At least one crew member was killed in the accident. Crew: Peter Patrician. †

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Shortly after take off from Amarillo Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed. All seven occupants were killed. Crew was on his way to Monroe and return for a night training exercise.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The crew was engaged in a glider towing exercise. Shortly after take off, while climbing to a height of 80 feet, the left engine failed. The glider's pilot immediately released the cable when the LodeStar banked left and crashed near the runway. All three occupants were killed.

Royal Air Force - RAF

During the take off run, the pilot attempted to rotate but the aircraft did not respond. Crew decided to abandon the take off procedure but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining runway, overrun and came to rest into a ditch. While all occupants escaped unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

En route, while cruising at an altitude of 2,000 feet, the LodeStar registered 42-32203 collided with an USAAF Beechcraft AT-7 registered 43-33303 with 4 crew on board. Both aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a prairie. All 10 occupants in both aircraft were killed. The reason of the occurrence is unknown.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

While approaching Hondo AAF, Texas, the weather conditions worsened. Pilots were unable to localize the airport and decided to continue to San Antonio. In low visibility with clouds down to 900 feet, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground in a near vertical attitude and crashed in a prairie located 8 miles south of Sabinal. All eight occupants were killed. The crew was requesting radio compass assistance from San Antonio Ground Control Center when the loss of control occurred. Crew: 2nd Lt Robert H. Gordon, Cpt William F. Herbert, Avc George B. Kirby, Avc Walter F. Liszka, Avc Edward A. Mallroy, Avc Thomas J. Maroney Jr., Sgt Alfred F. Roberts, 2nd Lt Harry H. Womack.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt Beinn Nuis located on Arann Island, Ayrshire, while performing a flight from Keflavik to Prestwick. All seven occupants were killed. Crew (17th Aerial Transport Group): Pfc Bernard T. Boone, T/Sgt John M. Fantaskey, Maj Louis C. Goldsmith, S/Sgt John G. Johnson, 1st Lt John R. MacKenzie, 2nd Lt Richard H. Riddle, Pvt William Silberg.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

On rotation, the aircraft stalled, hit the runway surface and veered off before coming to rest. The captain Thomas L. Eyre was killed in the accident while all other occupants were injured.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Shortly after take off from Wright-Patterson AFB, the aircraft stalled and crashed. The crew fate remains unknown.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Ground accident. No casualties.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The aircraft was on its way from Cleveland, Ohio, to Monroe, Louisiana. En route, due to weather deterioration, the crew decided to divert to Evansville-Dress Airport. During the final approach completed by night and marginal weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft crashed few miles short of runway threshold and was destroyed by impact forces. All ten occupants were killed. Crew: Cpt Paul D. Jones, Cpt William V. Litvin, 1st Lt George F. Dennison, 1st Lt Carlton B. Overton Jr., 2nd Lt Howard D. Baer, 2nd Lt John W. Kerrigan, 2nd Lt Charles W. McLaughlin, 2nd Lt Micharl W. Schaffer, S/Sgt James P. Taylor, S/Sgt Arthur A. Vandoli.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Crashed on take off. Crew fate remains unknown.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

Crashed at Port Moresby-Ward Airport in unknown circumstances. Occupant fate unknown.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The crew was performing a training flight at South Plains AFB. The twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the vicinity of the airbase, killing all three crew members.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

During a training mission over Maryland, the crew was forced to make an emergency landing as the engine could not be restarted, maybe following a deliberate action on part of the crew who wanted to feather the props. The emergency landing was completed in a field in Clinton and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair while both occupants were unhurt.

Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF

Lodestar 557 departed Moncton. New Brunswick, at 2345 GMT on 7 May 1943 on a cargo transport flight to Gander. At 0313 GMT the following day, the aircraft contacted the Aerodrome Control Officer at Gander Station to request landing clearance. The aircraft was given landing clearance by P/O Thomas Howard Murray, aerodrome control officer, and was told to check their wheels down. The messages were acknowledged by 557. At this time the ceiling was practically unlimited. The aircraft was heard to pass over Gander airfield shortly thereafter, but the ceiling had unexpectedly fallen to 700 feet. This lowering of the ceiling possibly meant that ice may have formed on the aerials. It is unlikely that icing would have occurred on the wings or engines. This fly over was apparently done on instruments. The Lodestar contacted the Control Officer to indicate they had missed the field and were to try again. The aircraft then acknowledged being given the ceiling height and barometric pressure by the station. At this point, the landing of the aircraft on the control tower side was taken over by the station manager of Trans Canada Airlines (TCA), Mr. Harry Beardsell. The aircraft was carrying cargo and under the operational control of TCA and therefore should be under TVA radio coverage. Instructions were passed to the aircraft by TCA as to the proper landing procedures for Gander, and these were acknowledged. The aircraft broke through the now 600 ft. ceiling, and was advised to circle and approach runway 27 (note, runway 27 is no longer in use at YQX; ourairports.com). At this point, TCA spoke directly to the pilot. According to Beardsell, he advised Svendsen to make one more attempt before proceeding to Sydney where the ceiling was at 1000 ft. and visibility was 3 miles. P/O Murray, who was listening to the communications between the control tower and Lodestar 557 denied that the aircraft was advised of a secondary landing location. According to the radio log, it was actually Lodestar 557 who suggested that it would try for one more landing and if not successful would return to Sydney and TCA seconded the decision. The aircraft approached, but seemed to be lined up with the wrong runway and was advised to circle again and attempt runway 27. P/O Murray believed that the boundary lights were confusing 557, causing it to line up with the wrong runway, so he switched off the lights and informed the aircraft through Beardsell. One the second attempt, the aircraft did not turn enough and was again told that it would probably not make it to the runway and to attempt again. The aircraft was told to make a right turn over the field near the airport, but it could be seen that the aircraft would not make the turn successfully. The pilot was advised to pull up two or three times by TCA, but at this point 557 was in a steep bank and went into a stall, losing altitude until it crashed. One witness saw the aircraft moments before the crash and stated it was flying very low at 200 ft. with engines functioning properly. The crash was indicated by a flash followed by a second, brighter flash, indicating it had crashed and was burning. Fire trucks and ambulances were dispatched to the scene. It crashed at 0340 GMT on 8 May 1943 approximately two miles east of the RCAF Station in Gander. All crew were killed. Crew (164th Squadron): Wo2 H. Svendsen, pilot, Wo2 C. H. Allen, pilot, Lac A. G. Sewell, wireless operator. Source & photo: http://www.planecrashgirl.ca/2016/03/17/lodestar-557/