Lockheed P-3 Orion

United States Navy - USN

After landing at Bagram AFB, the crew encountered difficulties to decelerate properly. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, lost its right main gear and came to rest, bursting into flames. There were no injuries among the occupants and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aero Union

Prior to the accident flight, the air tanker airplane had flown 9 times on the day of the accident, for a total flight time of 5 hours and 46 minutes. The purpose of the flights was to provide recurrent training for pilots scheduled to conduct fire-fighting operations for the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) during the upcoming fire season. Pilots aboard the airplane during the earlier flights reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. As was the mission for other flights that day, the accident flight, the tenth flight, was a training flight to conduct practice drops of water over an area of rugged mountainous terrain located north of the airport. Aboard the flight were the captain, the copilot, and the company's Chief Pilot, who was providing flight instruction. The Chief Pilot had been on board all the flights that day. Radar data indicated that the flight departed the airport and proceeded about 10.5 nautical miles to the north where it began maneuvering in a manner consistent with the conduct of practice water drops. The data showed the airplane entering and then following a right-hand racetrack pattern oriented northeast-southwest, during which it appeared that practice drops were being made on the southwest leg. During the last minute of the flight, the airplane was on the northeast leg of the racetrack pattern, flying up a valley that was oriented northeast-southwest with uphill being to the northeast. The airplane's flight path was initially near the middle of the valley. During the last 36 seconds of the flight, the airplane's flight path began to deviate towards the rising terrain on the eastern side of the valley. The last two radar hits show the airplane at an altitude of less than 100 feet above ground level. The airplane had completed approximately 1.75 circuits of the racetrack when the data ended with the airplane at 2,900 feet msl, heading northeast. The initial impact point was located about 2,150 feet northwest of the last radar data point at an elevation of about 2,450 feet msl, indicating the airplane entered a left descending turn and completed about 90 degrees of turn between the last radar hit and the impact. No distress calls were received from the airplane. According to local authorities, witnesses observed a "fire ball" at the time of the accident. Examination of the wreckage site revealed that the airplane impacted on about a 304 degree magnetic heading in a 40 degree left bank with the left wingtip striking the ground first. The airplane was severely fragmented and a severe post crash fire burned most of the structure and surrounding vegetation. Remnants of the entire airplane were accounted for at the wreckage site. There was no evidence of pre-existing structural failures or impact with foreign objects in any of the wreckage. All four of the engines and propellers were found at the wreckage site. The engines did not have any indications of an uncontainment, case rupture, or pre-impact in-flight fire. All four engines had damage to the compressor and/or turbine rotors that was consistent with engine operation. The cockpit engine instrumentation gages indicate that all four engines were running at about 2,200 shaft horsepower at impact. Review of the airplane's maintenance records did not reveal any chronic issues with the airplane nor any system/component anomalies that would have contributed to the accident. The airplane was equipped with neither a cockpit voice recorder (CVR) nor a flight data recorder (FDR) and Federal Aviation Regulations did not require the airplane to be so equipped. The reason for the in-flight collision with terrain could not be determined.

United States Navy - USN

After touchdown at Chania-Souda Airport, the four engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. All 26 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was written off.

United States Navy - USN

While completing a maritime survey flight off Masirah Island, the crew encountered technical difficulties when the propeller detached from the engine n°4 that caught fire. Shortly later, the engine n°3 lost power then engine n°1 & 2 also lost power and failed. The aircraft lost height but the crew was able to regain control at 2,500 feet and eventually ditched the aircraft 8 km offshore. All 11 occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force - Kaijo Jieitai

Belly landed at Iwo Jima Airport and was damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.

Aero Union

Air tanker N924AU had been dispatched from its base in Santa Barbara, CA to Missoula, MT to support fire suppression efforts involving a number of large fires in the Northern Region. The flight departed in VFR conditions at 16:05 PDT. While still in the area controlled by the Oakland FAA Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), the crew requested and received an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) clearance. They were assigned an altitude of 23,000 feet. The Orion proceeded uneventfully and was handed off to the Approach Controller at Missoula (MSO). MSO Approach did not have, at that time, terminal radar equipment that covered their entire area of responsibility. At first contact with MSO Approach, the Orion was 26 miles southeast of the Missoula International Airport and descending to 12,000 feet. In the course of several exchanges between the Orion and the MSO Approach Controller, it was disclosed and confirmed that the Orion’s flight crew did not have the approach plate (or chart) depicting the published approach procedure for the VOR-DME Bravo (B) approach, which was the approach in use for aircraft arriving from the south. Clearance was nevertheless offered and accepted and the controller provided the information as the Orion crew began to execute the VOR-DME B approach. At this time, the cloud bases at the MSO Airport were at about 7,900 feet and other aircraft making instrument approaches there were descending through 8,000 feet, cancelling their IFR flight plans and making visual approaches to the airport for landing. Since the Orion’s crew was able to monitor these radio communications/transmissions on the same frequency, they were probably counting on doing the same. At this time, there were very strong winds and moderate to severe turbulence reported at altitudes above 8,000 feet that increased with altitude in the MSO area. In addition to turbulence, the Orion crew contended with effects of flying at high altitudes, using oxygen in an unheated and un-pressurized aircraft for more than two hours. At some point in the initial phase of the approach, some confusion as to what heading to fly apparently occurred and the airtanker turned back toward the south, away from MSO. By this time the controller had authorized descent to 8,600 feet on an approximate heading of 200 degrees magnetic. MSO Approach received notification by Salt Lake City ARTCC (Center) that this airtanker was west of the course consistent with the approach procedure and subsequent notification that the airtanker had disappeared off Center’s radar screen. Repeated attempts to contact the Orion crew failed and MSO Approach notified the County Sheriff’s office, the Forest Service, and other agencies that the aircraft was missing and presumed down. Search and rescue attempts were not able to detect an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal. The mishap site was located the following day. Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire by Candy S. Rock Fitzpatrick.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

The aircraft was engaged in a local flight and was carrying 17 passengers and a crew of four. After takeoff from Cocos Island Airport, the crew climbed to 5,000 feet then reduced his altitude for a low pass over the airport. Approaching the airport at a speed of 380 knots and at a height of about 300 feet, the pilot-in-command increased engine power in a way to gain height when the aircraft lost several pieces from the left wing. Due to severe vibrations and problems of controllability, the crew decided to attempt an emergency landing near the airport. The aircraft struck the ground, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in shallow water. A passenger was killed after being hit by propeller blades that punctured the fuselage. All 20 other occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

United States Navy - USN

The aircraft departed Moffett AFB on a combined survey mission over the Pacific Ocean with a second USN Orion registered 158930 carrying a crew of 14. While cruising at an altitude of 3,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, both aircraft collided and crashed in the sea. Few debris were found floating on water about 60 miles southwest of San Diego and all 27 crew members were missing and never recovered.

United States Navy - USN

The aircraft departed Moffett AFB on a combined survey mission over the Pacific Ocean with a second USN Orion registered 159325 carrying a crew of 13. While cruising at an altitude of 3,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, both aircraft collided and crashed in the sea. Few debris were found floating on water about 60 miles southwest of San Diego and all 27 crew members were missing and never recovered.

United States Navy - USN

The crew was taking part to an airshow at Crows Landing-Aux Field AFB and practicing touch-and-go. For unknown reasons, the aircraft landed hard, went out of control and came to rest, bursting into flames. All four crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.

United States Navy - USN

For unknown reasons, the aircraft landed hard at Whidbey Island NAS and was considered as damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.

Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

Crashed in unknown circumstances while approaching an airport somewhere in Iran. Occupant fate unknown. The accident occurred somewhere in February 1985 (exact date unknown).

United States Navy - USN

The four engine airplane departed Barbers Point NAS on a night training exercise consisting of a support of ships cruising off Kauai Island. While cruising in limited visibility at an altitude of 3,000 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain and disintegrated on impact. The wreckage was found on a steep ridge (Kalepa Ridge between Honopu and Kalalau valleys) on the Na Pali Coast of Kauai. All 14 occupants were killed. The pilot failed to realize his altitude was insufficient and did not see the mountain.

United States Navy - USN

For unknown reasons, the four engine airplane landed on its belly at Barbers Point NAS. It slid for few dozen yards then veered off runway and came to rest, bursting into flames. All occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

United States Navy - USN

While conducting a Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization check the pilot at controls was allowed to perform his first attempt at shooting an obstacle approach at Whidbey Island NAS. This maneuver was inadequately briefed by the pilot in command during the mission brief. The pilot in command, having great confidence in the pilot at controls, allowed him to conduct this maneuver without prior demonstration. After pushing over for the approach an excessive sink rate developed. Upon determination that the approach was getting dangerous, power was applied and the nose pulled up. Due to the combination of slow approach speed, late and in inadequate power application, the excessive sink rate was not arrested, resulting in a hard landing followed by failure of the starboard wing.

United States Navy - USN

For unknown reasons, the four engine airplane made a wheels up landing at Barbers Point NAS. All six crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

United States Navy - USN

The airplane was taking part in Samoa's Flag Day celebration. It was dropping skydivers near the reviewing area. During the second run, the airplane clipped a mile-long tramway line running across Pago Pago Harbor to Mount Alava. Part of the wing separated and the airplane crashed in flames into an area in front of the two-storey Rainmaker Hotel. All six occupants as well as two people on the ground were killed.

United States Navy - USN

The four engine airplane departed Cubi Point NAS on a flight over the Pacific Ocean consisting on a tracking mission of the Soviet ship christened 'Minsk'. About five minutes after takeoff, while climbing to an altitude of 5,900 feet, the engine n°4 exploded. Propeller blades detached and the engine caught fire. Shortly later, the engine n°3 oversped and due to an excessive temperature, the crew decided to shut it down and to feather its propeller. In coordination with Cubi Point Tower, the crew initiated a turn and started the descent back to Cubi Point NAS. Despite the airplane banked right to an angle of 60° and nosed down to 15°, the pilot was able to continue the descent but eventually reduced the power on both left engine to ditch the aircraft. In a nose-down attitude (3 to 5° pitch down), the airplane struck the water surface and crashed into the sea about 1,400 meters short of runway threshold and sank quickly. Ten occupants were seriously injured while five others were killed. The wreckage was later recovered.

United States Navy - USN

The crew departed Adak Airport on a maritime patrol flight over the north Pacific Ocean under callsign 'Alfa Fox 586'. En route, the engine n°1 oversped and the crew was unable to feather its propeller. A lack of oil caused the engine to catch fire and the crew decided to ditch the airplane about 370 km south of Attu Island. Five occupants were killed while 10 others were rescued by the crew of a Soviet trawler.

United States Navy - USN

The four engine airplane departed Brunswick NAS, Maine, at 1205LT on a flight to Trenton, Ontario, where it was dispatched to an airshow. While climbing, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with stormy weather when the engine n°1 went in whirl mode and detached. 11 feet of the left wing separated and struck the left horizontal stabilizer that was torn off as well. Out of control, the airplane entered a dive and partially disintegrated before crashing near Poland. All eight occupants were killed. Crew: Lt Cdr Francis William Dupont Jr., Lt Jg Donald Edward Merz, Lt Jg George D. Nuttelman, Lt Jg Ernest A. Smith, Aw2 James Allen Piepkorn, Awan Paul G. Schulz, Ad3 Robert Lewis Phillips Jr., Adc Larry Miller.

United States Navy - USN

The four engine airplane was completing a training mission out from Lajes when it crashed under unknown circumstances into the Atlantic Ocean, about 32 km northeast of Lajes. Few debris were found floating on water and all seven crew members were killed. Crew: Lt David G. Schwerstein, Lt Michael E. Hayes, Ltjg Michael Dziubak, Ad1 Robert L. Hasselbacher, Ad1 Randolph L. Affield, Ao3 Robert J. Elmore, At3 Weslie Donald Putnam.

United States Navy - USN

Following an uneventful patrol flight, the crew returned to Jacksonville-Towers Field and the airplane completed a belly landing before coming to rest. All five crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

United States Navy - USN

The four engine airplane departed Lajes Airport, Azores Islands, at 0836LT on a maritime patrol flight. About two hours later, the crew reported his position and that all went well on board. This was the last radio transmission. At 1120LT, while cruising at an altitude of 2,300 feet in a limited visibility due to foggy conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain (5,200 feet high) at a speed pof 220 knots and crashed. The wreckage was found in a wooded area located near la Frontera, in the center of the island. At the time of the accident, three engines were operating while the engine n°1 was shutdown for loiter.

Spanish Air Force - Ejército del Aire

The crew was returning to Jerez de la Frontera Airport following a night training mission when the airplane crashed on final approach for unknown reasons. Four crew members were injured while six others were killed.

United States Navy - USN

The aircraft was engaged in a local training flight with a crew of six on board. At a same time was approaching to Moffett AFB a NASA Convair CV-990-30A-5 registered N711NA that was returning to Moffett following a test flight over the Monterey Bay with eight scientists and a crew of three on board. Following an uneventful mission, the crew of the Convair started the approach and was cleared to land on runway 32R while seven miles out. After been cleared, the Orion's crew informed ATC he was joining the runway 32L approach path when the controller cleared the crew of the Convair to land at runway 32L. Shortly later, at an altitude of about 300 feet, the nose gear of the Convair struck the top of the Orion's tail. Both airplanes went out of control and crashed in flames on the Sunnyvale golf course located about 0,3 mile short of runway threshold. A crew member from the Orion was seriously injured while all 16 other occupants on both aircraft were killed.

United States Navy - USN

The aircraft was completing a training flight out of Brunswick NAS when it crash in unknown circumstances into the Atlantic Ocean about 40 miles offshore. The wreckage sank by a depth of 300-600 feet. All five crew members were killed.

United States Navy - USN

About an hour after its departure from Rota NAS, Spain, while cruising at an altitude of 800 meters in marginal weather conditions, the four engine aircraft struck the slope of Jebel Musa (851 meters high) located near the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The aircraft was destroyed and all 14 occupants have been killed. Attached to Brunswick Air Base, Maine, the airplane was completing a routine flight from Rota NAS to Souday BAY AFB, Chania, Greece.

United States Navy - USN

While engaged in a maritime patrol flight over the Pacific Ocean, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances. No trace of the aircraft nor the eight occupants was found.

United States Navy - USN

Shortly after takeoff from Cubi Point NAS, while in initial climb, both engines n°2 & 3 exploded. Both electric and hydraulic systems failed and the captain elected to ditch the airplane that crashed into the sea few dozen yards offshore. Fifteen occupants were rescued while Ensign Ed Cooper was killed.

United States Navy - USN

The crew departed Nellis AFB in Las Vegas on a flight to Barbers Point NAS, Hawaii, with an intermediate stop at North Island-Halsey Field NAS in San Diego. Few minutes after takeoff, the airplane went through a thunderstorm area and encountered heavy turbulences. The pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive, partially disintegrated in the air and eventually crashed in a desert area located 10 miles northwest of Searchlight, Nevada. The airplane was totally destroyed and debris scattered on more that half a mile. All ten crew members were killed. Crew (VP-17): Lt Timothy D. Bailing, Lt Norman L. Johnson, Ltjg Henry J. McGreevey, Adj1 Ambrose Ordonia, Adj1 Johnny D. Shelton, Atn3 Cletus L. Morrison, Aw3 John D. Maas, Aw3 John W. Schmitz, Aw3 Michael A. Silvers, Aw3 Bruce E. Weaver.

United States Navy - USN

During the takeoff roll at Adak Airport, the pilot-in-command pull the control column and started to rotate when the copilot reported a technical problem (smoke hatch blew open). The crew decided to abort the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking manoeuvre. Few seconds later, the airplane veered off runway to the left and struck an obstacle, causing the right wing to be torn off. The airplane came to rest in flames down an embankment. All eight crew members escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was destroyed.

United States Navy - USN

The P-3 Orion aircraft was on a practice GCA approach to Lemoore-NAS/Reeves Field, CA (NLC). The aircraft nosed down at the approach end of the runway then flared nose high with an excessive sink rate. It touched down on the port main landing gear, then the starboard main landing gear, followed by the fuselage section just forward of the mad boom striking the runway. The port wing broke inboard of the #2 engine on or shortly after touchdown and separated from the fuselage. The fuselage slid down the runway and came to rest off the left side of the runway approximately 1100 feet from the approach end. The port wing continued approximately 300 feet beyond the fuselage. Both parts were engulfed in flame. All six occupants were killed. Source: ASN

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

The crew was completing a local test flight on this new aircraft which should be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force. Upon landing, one of the main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest in flames. While all four crew members escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

United States Navy - USN

The airplane departed Kadena AFB on a night patrol flight over the Pacific Ocean. While cruising at low height in a flat attitude some 320 km east of Okinawa, the aircraft struck the water surface, crashed and broke in three pieces that sank by a depth of 1,600 meters. Four crew members were found alive while eight others were killed.

United States Navy - USN

While cruising over the Gulf of Thailand on a maritime patrol flight at the border between Thailand and South Vietnam, the airplane was hit by enemy fire and the right wing caught fire. The crew informed ground about his situation and elected to divert to the nearest airport when the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea off Ð<U+1EA3>o Phú Qu<U+1ED1>c Island. All 12 crew members were killed. Crew: Lt(jg) Frank E. Hand, Lt(jg) Stuart L. McLellan, Lt(jg) Brian J. Mathison, Lt(jg) Michael J. Purcell, AME2 Donald W. Burnside, ATI Kenneth L. Crist, A02 William S. Cutting, AXC Donald E. Kulacz, AX3 Delmar L. Lawrence, AE1 Donald F. Wood, ADJ2 Edward O. Wynder, AX1 Alvin G. Yoximer.

United States Navy - USN

The aircraft departed U-Tapao Airbase in Thailand in the evening of February 5 for a 24-hour patrol flight over the Gulf of Thailand. Around 0300LT, the crew informed ground about his position and this was the last radio transmission as the airplane disappeared few minutes later and crashed into the sea off Phú Qu<U+1ED1>c Island. Some debris and two bodies were found 10 days later and all 12 occupants have been killed. Crew: Lt Cdr Robert F. Meglio, Lt(jg) Thomas Paul Jones, Lt(jg) Lynn Michael Travis, Lt(jg) Roy Arthur Huss, AXC Donald Frederick Burnett, A0C Donald Louis Gallagher, AMH2 Homer Eugene McKay, ADR1 James Clifford Newman, AE1 Melvin Carl Thompson, ADJ2 Billy W. McGhee, AX3 Armando Chapa, AX3 William Farrell Farris.

United States Navy - USN

While returning to Iwakuni Airbase following a maritime patrol flight, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and a limited visibility due to snow falls. On descent, at an altitude of 6,200 feet, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Karnegeamori located few km southeast of the airfield. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 12 occupants were killed. For unknown reason, the crew was approaching the airbase at an insufficient altitude.

United States Navy - USN

The crew departed Iwakuni Airbase on a maritime patrol flight. While flying in the vicinity of the Tsushima Island, the four engine aircraft crashed into the sea for unknown reason. All 12 crew members were killed.

United States Navy - USN

The crew departed Floyd Bennett Field Airport in New York on a flight to Moffett Airbase, California, with an intermediate stop at Glenview Airport, Illinois, under call sign PE-05. At 2035LT, while cruising at an altitude of 22,000 feet, the crew informed ATC about his position. Shortly later, the airplane entered a spin, crossed the last cloud layer at an altitude of 3,000 feet in a right turn and struck the ground in a 60° nose down attitude at a speed of 800 km/h. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all four crew members were killed. The wreckage was found seven miles northeast of Battle Creek. Crew: Lt William E. Xiques, pilot, Lt John P. Fitzmaurice III, copilot, ADJ2 Charles J. Lurvey, flight engineer, ADJ3 Larry W. Battson, flight engineer.

United States Navy - USN

The airplane was engaged in an anti-submarine exercise when control was lost. It crashed into the Pacific Ocean about 187 miles off San Diego. The aircraft was destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed.

United States Navy - USN

The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Hamilton-Kindley Field Airport. Following few touch-and-go manoeuvres, the pilot-in-command started a new approach when all four engines stopped simultaneously. Due to low speed, the airplane stalled and crashed near the runway threshold. Four passengers were killed while nine other occupants were injured, some of them seriously. The aircraft was destroyed.

United States Navy - USN

While on a maritime patrol flight, the airplane caught fire in mid-air, exploded and crashed into the sea off the Cubi Point NAS. All 13 occupants were killed.

United States Navy - USN

The crew departed Argentia NAS for a training mission over the Atlantic Ocean. While in cruising altitude, a generator failed. Few minutes later, a second generator failed as well and the crew decided to return to Argentia NAS for a safe landing. On final approach in marginal weather conditions, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the Bay of Placentia, about 6,5 km off shore. The aircraft was destroyed and all 10 crew members were killed.

United States Navy - USN

The crew departed Patuxent River NAS on a night exercise with a US Marine Ship. While cruising at an altitude of 500 feet, the airplane nosed down and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, some 231 miles east of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Few debris and the dead body of the captain were found floating on water. No trace of the rest of the crew was found.