Lockheed P-2 Harpoon

Hirth Air Tankers

The pilot/owner of an air tanker was dispatched to drop a load of retardant on a fire burning up a valley wall. The pilot made radio contact with the firefighters on the ground, who requested that the pilot deliver the entire load on the first drop. A helicopter pilot who was dropping water on the fire positioned himself about a mile away to allow the air tanker to make its drop. The winds were from the northwest at 15 knots and gusting to 20 knots, and the helicopter pilot reported turbulence in the area. The helicopter pilot watched as the air tanker came from the northeast, overflew the fire, and made a descending counterclockwise turn. The airplane flew towards the fire parallel to the valley ridge, and the helicopter pilot observed the air tanker drop its retardant. During the drop, the airplane flew through smoke, and its right wing impacted trees on the upslope side of the valley. The airplane then rolled 90 degrees and descended into the steeply inclined wooded terrain. A review of the pilot's FAA medical records revealed that he lacked color vision.

Douglas M. Lacey

The airplane was observed making several low passes, with its smoke generators operating, over seaplanes anchored in a lake. The last pass was reportedly at an altitude less than 50 feet, and then the airplane was observed entering an abnormally steep climb, followed by a near vertical nose-down attitude to impact. A video tape shows that both propellers were turning. The pilot had received his multi-engine rating in a Beech 76 on 3/6/90, and his type rating in the airplane 3/28/90.

Confederate Air Force

During taxi to takeoff the crew sensed an odor similar to an electrical fire, and smoke became apparent in the cockpit. Both generators and the battery master were secured. The right generator would not accept a load and smoke was coming from the right wing accessory jbox in the right wheel well. Three occupants deplaned and initially extinguished the fire, which reignited due to hot metal and compromised fuel/oil lines. All systems were secured and the pilot then evacuated the airplane, which was consumed by the fire. The pilot estimated that fire fighting equipment did not arrive for 20-25 minutes after the fire began. Faa inspectors were unable to determine the fire source from the burned wreckage. However, the operator's report stated that the right starter solenoid did not open after engine start causing the starter to remain linked to the electrical system. This resulted in a system overload and subsequent electrical fire. Both fuel and oil lines were routed through the right wheel well for cockpit indications.

Globe Air

Following a dual engine change, the pilot test flew the aircraft. On initial climb, at about 500 feet agl, both engines began backfiring violently and lost power. According to the pilot, power sufficient for flight could not be obtained, and a forced landing was made about 0.75 miles from the airport. The landing occurred in open desert terrain and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The pilot acknowledged that he did not check the position of the control handles for the superchargers during either his preflight or pre-takeoff inspections. And the blowers had been inadvertently left set to the high blower position. According to the pilot, the checklist which he was using for the aircraft did not address the position of the blowers because for the past 15 years it had been company policy to 'wire the blowers to the low blower position.' Both occupants escaped uninjured.

Aircraft Specialties Company

Following a fire control mission, the crew was returning to Addison Airport. On final approach, a malfunction on the left engine forced the crew to feather its propeller when control was lost. The airplane banked left and crashed about 300 yards short of runway threshold. Both pilots were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Master Equipment Company

The crew departed Whiteriver on a fire fighting mission. While flying at low height, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. Both crew members were killed.

Portuguese Air Force - Força Aerea Portuguesa

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Vila Luso. No casualties.

Master Equipment Company

The crew departed Sebring Airport for a local spraying mission. En route, the left engine failed and the crew delayed the feathering the prop. The aircraft lost height and eventually crashed near Sebring. Both pilots were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Portuguese Air Force - Força Aerea Portuguesa

Crashed in unknown circumstances at Luanda Airport. There were no casualties.

Bird Corporation

Shortly after takeoff from Palm Springs Airport, the right engine failed. The crew elected to make an emergency landing, reduced his altitude and was able to land in a prairie near the airport. While both occupants were uninjured, the airplane was considered as damaged beyond repair. Initially manufactured as a Lockheed PV-2D Harpoon for the US Navy, the airplane was later converted by Oakland Airmotive Corporation as an 'Oakland Centaurus' prototype.

Private American

While on a flight from Bethel to Kodiak, the airplane disappeared in the North Pacific Ocean. SAR were conducted but no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was ever found.

Portuguese Air Force - Força Aerea Portuguesa

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the Niassa Province. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Portuguese Air Force - Força Aerea Portuguesa

The crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing in the Niassa Province. There were no injuries but the aircraft was not repairable.

Private American

The crew was completing a local training flight at Phoenix-Sky Harbor Airport. While cruising in the vicinity of the airfield, the pilot informed ATC about an engine fire and elected to return for an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane crash in flames into a residential area located near the airport. The airplane and three houses were destroyed. Both pilots were killed while no one on the ground was injured.

Micronesian Airlines

After being converted by Oakland Airmotive Centaurus for civil use, the aircraft was engaged in a delivery flight, carrying two passengers and one pilot. Shortly after takeoff from Hayward Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in flames. The pilot and a passenger were killed while the second passenger was injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Portuguese Air Force - Força Aerea Portuguesa

Crashed upon landing at Beira Airport. There were no casualties.

Private American

While approaching Hilo by night on a ferry flight, both engines stopped. The crew attempted to ditch the airplane few km off shore and was later rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Portuguese Air Force - Força Aerea Portuguesa

Crashed on approach to São Salvador do Congo (now M'Banza Kongo) while on a flight from Luanda. All nine occupants were killed.

Portuguese Air Force - Força Aerea Portuguesa

Shortly after takeoff from Chimoio Airport, the twin engine aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height, struck power cables and crashed near Vila Pery, northeast of the airfield. Six passengers were killed while seven other occupants were injured.

Bird %26 Sons

While on a cargo (supply) mission, the airplane was shot down by enemy fire. All four occupants (two passengers and two crew members) bailed out and abandoned the aircraft that crashed east of Ban Huoeisay. All four occupants were rescued while the aircraft was destroyed.

Portuguese Air Force - Força Aerea Portuguesa

Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all five crew members.

Portuguese Air Force - Força Aerea Portuguesa

While completing an approach by night, the airplane crashed in unclear circumstances in Bucelas, about 12 km north of the Lisbon Airport. Two crew members were killed while four others were injured.

Aerovias Madre de Dios

Crashed shortly after takeoff from Cuzco Airport for unknown reason. Three occupants were killed while three others were injured.

Aklavik Import %26 Export Company

The twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in Fort Yukon. The copilot was killed while the captain was injured.

Italian Air Force - Aeronautica Militare Italiana

An engine failed shortly after takeoff from Guidonia AFB in Rome. The crew attempted an emergency landing but the aircraft crashed in a field located in Tivoli, about 6 km southeast of the airbase. Four crew members were killed while a fifth occupant was rescued.

Italian Air Force - Aeronautica Militare Italiana

Shortly after takeoff from Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, while in initial climb, one of the engine caught fire and exploded. The airplane crashed in flames in a field located two km from the airport, killing all five crew members.

Italian Air Force - Aeronautica Militare Italiana

The crew departed Catania-Fontanarossa Airport for a maritime patrol flight. Enroute, an engine failed, forcing the crew to ditch the aircraft off Fiumefreddo di Sicilia. All three crew members were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Italian Air Force - Aeronautica Militare Italiana

The crew (87th Squadron) was completing a local training sortie from Sigonella NAS. In unclear circumstances, the Harpoon collided in flight with a second Italian Air Force Harpoon registered MM80061 and carrying a crew of five. Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in Vaccarizzo, about 15 km south of Catania. The debris were found in a wasteland located less than a km from the beach. Both aircraft were destroyed and all nine crew members were killed.

Italian Air Force - Aeronautica Militare Italiana

The crew (87th Squadron) was completing a local training sortie from Sigonella NAS. In unclear circumstances, the Harpoon collided in flight with a second Italian Air Force Harpoon registered MM80065 and carrying a crew of four. Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in Vaccarizzo, about 15 km south of Catania. The debris were found in a wasteland located less than a km from the beach. Both aircraft were destroyed and all nine crew members were killed.

Italian Air Force - Aeronautica Militare Italiana

The crew was completing a training mission over the Ionian Sea when an engine failed in flight. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into the sea about 72 km east of Punta Stilo, Calabria. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven crew members were killed.

United States Navy - USN

An engine caught fire in flight, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft registered 37208 (VP-ML-6) crashed in flames in a field located in Hershey. Four crew members were injured while three others were killed.

United States Navy - USN

The crew was involved in a maritime patrol flight. Enroute, the crew informed ground that an engine caught fire and elected to return for an emergency landing. On final approach, at an altitude of 200 feet, the aircraft went out of control and crashed one mile short of runway. Five crew members were killed with two others were seriously injured.

United States Navy - USN

Hit the slope of a mountain while conducting a night training flight. All six crew members were killed.