Lockheed PV-1 Ventura

RAAF Museum

The aircraft was approaching to land after completing a handling display during an Open Day at RAAF Richmond. At an altitude of about 800 feet, on the base leg for runway 28, both engines stopped simultaneously and without warning. As there was insufficient altitude to reach the field for a power off landing, the flaps and landing gear were retracted and a successful forced landing carried out into a cleared field short of the airfield. The crew evacuated the aircraft without injury.

Aggadir Ltd

The crew was supposed to make a training flight from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale. En route, an electrical failure occurred and the crew became lost and disoriented. The aircraft continued to the southeast for about 1,800 km when both engines failed due to a fuel exhaustion. The crew was able to ditch the aircraft off Aruba Island. While all three occupants were rescued, the aircraft sank and was not recovered.

Inter Island Shipping Inc.

After takeoff from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport, while climbing, the pilot reported engine problems and was cleared to return. The airplane lost speed and height then struck trees and crashed in a swamp. Both occupants were killed.

Triple D Transport Company

The twin engine airplane departed Fort Lauderdale in the evening on a flight to the Dominican Republic. En route, while cruising by night, the crew informed ATC about the failure of all instruments. He apparently attempted to ditch the aircraft when it crashed into the sea about 20 nautical miles off Guantanamo Bay. Few debris were found floating on water and both occupants were killed.

World Photography Corporation

After a night landing at Belle Glade, the twin engine airplane overran, collided with trees and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, evacuated the cabin and was not recovered by authorities. The flight was illegal and a load of 4,000 lbs of marijuana was found on board.

Equipment Specialists

Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing both pilots.

Red River Ranch Inc.

The crew was completing an illegal flight from Mexico to Reno. En route, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the Yosemite National Park. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found. Walkers found the wreckage in an isolated area on 14 June 1977.

Dallas Chapter

Crashed under unknown circumstances in the region of Culiacán Rosales while engaged in an illegal flight. Both crew members were killed.

Clark Aerial Service

The crew was engaged in a crop spraying mission in the region of Union Springs and departed Montgomery-Franklin Airport in the early morning. While flying at low height above a wooded area, the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both crew members were killed.

Pioneer Ventura Aviation

Coming from Miami, Florida, the crew elected to land by night in an open field located in Chimichagua. On final, the twin engine airplane struck the ground and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

Investment Dynamics

On approach to Tucumcari Airport, the crew failed to realize he was misaligned with runway 26 due to limited visibility caused by night and low ceiling. On short final, the airplane struck the ground and crashed 471 feet left of the runway and 100 feet west of runway threshold. Both pilots and three passengers were killed while six other occupants were injured.

Champion Paper %26 Fiber Company

The crew departed Cincinnati-Lunken Field in the morning to conduct a local training flight. After completing several maneuvers in the area, the twin engine airplane passed over a school at low height and with both engines at full throttle before it crashed in flames in a wooded area located in Madeira. All three crew members were killed, two pilots of the Champion Paper & Fiber Company and one instructor. Crew: Charles Hayes, Robert Kern, Joseph Lockwood.

Crane Company

The flight was for the purpose of transporting six Crane officials from Chicago, Illinois, to Louisville, Kentucky, to attend a business convention. Departure was from O'Hare-Chicago International Airport on a VFR flight plan (changed en route to IFR) with the Crane Company's Chief Pilot Randolph A. Mulherin in command, and Robert H. Robinette, also a Crane pilot, as copilot. Gross weight upon departure was estimated to be 27,360 pounds; the maximum permissible takeoff weight was 31,000 pounds. Shortly after takeoff the pilot gave a routine report to Chicago radio of his time off as 0908 and his estimated elapsed flight time as one hour and 20 minutes. He did not request weather information at that time. Other radio contacts followed as the flight progressed, the final one being at 1034 over the Jeffersonville intersection. An approach was then started from that point to the Standiford Airport, 6-9/10 miles distant. During this approach the aircraft struck trees and crashed at a point one-half mile north of the Jeffersonville intersection. The airplane was destroyed and all eight occupants have been killed.

Swiftlite Aircraft Corporation

N2000C took off at 1625 on January 26, 1956, from MacArthur Field, Ronkonkoma, Long Island, New York, its home base, on a local flight with three pilots. They were Bernard J. Malloy, check pilot, and Pilots Raymond Hamberg and Hugo D. Filangeri. The purpose of the flight was to qualify Pilot Hamberg on the Lockheed PV-1 aircraft, a type he had never piloted. The takeoff of N 2000C was normal, toward the northwest, and made under VFR (Visual Flight Rules) conditions with Pilot Hamberg occupying the left or captain's to scat and Pilot Malloy, as check pilot, seated on the right as copilot; Pilot Filangeri acted as observer. Subsequently the PV-1 was seen over the Smithtown area, flying westerly at an estimated altitude of 2,500-3,000 feet, where a witness reported that the engines sounded normal but that the aircraft appeared to be flying at a slow airspeed. Witnesses stated that shortly thereafter the engine power sounded as though it was cut momentarily and then came back on. At an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet the aircraft was seen to dip down and pull up, slightly nose-high, and then fall off to the left, making two to three turns of a descending spiral, and disappear behind the tree-topped horizon. Flames erupted frost the woods over the point where the aircraft was last seen, followed quickly by a large column of black smoke. All three pilots were killed.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

The crew was completing a night maritime patrol mission out from Salvador. At 0200LT, in unknown circumstances, the twin engine aircraft crashed into the sea few km off Cabo de Santo Agostinho. No trace of the airplane nor the five crew members was found.

Miller Brewing Company

The aircraft took off from runway 01 of General Mitchell Fields Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at approximately 1708 for an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) flight to Winnipeg, Canada. Aboard were Pilot Joseph Laird, copilot Paul Laird, and two passengers, Frederick Miller Sr., President of the Miller Brewing Company, and his son, Fred Miller Jr. As N44M was passing over the northern boundary of the airport, after an apparently normal takeoff, the Mitchell Field Tower Controller received the message, "an engine on fire" and "making an emergency landing." The controller acknowledged this message and the pilot reported something about an engine sputtering. The aircraft which had started a turn to the left at this times was cleared to return to the airport and use air runway. The pilot then reported an engine feathered. As the controller turned up all runway lights to the highest intensity, personnel in the tower observed a mushrooming mass of flame just north of the field. The aircraft had crashed in a nose-down right-wing-low attitude in an open field approximately 3,200 feet north of the airport and west of a projected line of runway 01. Fire of large magnitude occurred after ground impact and continued for several hours before it was completely extinguished. All four occupants were killed.

Plymouth Oil Company

N1505V departed Sinton, Texas, at 0845, on a VFR (Visual Flight Rules) non-stop flight to Baltimore, Maryland, with Pilot Arthur Hilton Soper, Copilot Joseph R. Kolodzie, and three passengers, all company executives. No flight plan was filed with CAA. Prior to departure, the pilot telephoned the forecaster at the nearest U. S. Weather Bureau Station, Corpus Christi, Texas, and was briefed on an route weather conditions. He was advised that the weather should remain suitable for VFR flight as far as Atlanta but beyond that point ceilings would probably lower. Pilot Soper said that if these conditions existed when he was near Atlanta he would land and refuel. A routine flight was made to Atlanta and the aircraft landed at 1313. The aircraft was on the ground approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes because ARTC (Air Route Traffic Control) could not clear the flight sooner due to traffic delays in the Washington area. During this period the pilot was briefed an en route weather and the aircraft was refueled with 208 gallons of 100 octane fuel. The aircraft departed Atlanta at 1535 for Baltimore on an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) clearance. The clearance specified a cruising altitude of 11,000 feet over airways Green 6 and Red 77 to Lynchburg,, Virginia, Red 37 to Gordonsville, Virginia, and Red 33 and Red 17 to Baltimore. 2 At 1628, when in the vicinity of Spartanburg, South Carolina, the flight requested a change in altitude to at least 1,000 feet on top of clouds because icing conditions were being encountered. This necessitated a climb of approximately 5,000 feet which was immediately approved by ARTC. At 1708, Greensboro, North Carolina, radio received the following position report: "N1505V on instrument flight rules 6 minutes northeast of Greensboro at 08 on top at 16,000 feet, request lower altitude, estimating Lynchburg at 22." Accordingly the aircraft was cleared to descend to and maintain 11,000 feet. At 1724 Lynchburg radio received a position report from N1505V, "Over Lynchburg at 1722, at 11,000 feet, estimating Gordonsville at 38." The Lynchburg altimeter setting, 29.50 was given the flight and the flight's position report was relayed to Washington ARTC. A few ten later the following clearance was relayed to the flight, "ARTC clears N1505V to cross Remington at 11,000, cross Arcola range station at 10,000, maintain 10,000." The 1628 Baltimore and Washington weather was then given as: Baltimore, scattered clouds 1,000 feet, estimated ceiling 7,000 feet, overcast; visibility 3 miles; light rain and haze, temperature 61; dewpoint 61. Washington, ceiling measured 8,500 feet, overcast; visibility 10 miles; light rain; temperature 60; dewpoint 57; wind east-northeast 16; pressure falling rapidly. The flight acknowledged this message at 1727 and cancelled its IFR flight plan, This was the last o contact with the aircraft. Approximately 13 minutes later it crashed on the mountainside and burned. All five occupants have been killed.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

The crew was performing a local training flight in Recife-Guararapes Airport. During the final approach completed by night, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the suburb of Ibura, few dozen yards short of the runway threshold. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

Crashed in unknown circumstances into the Rio Capibaribe in Recife. All six crew members were killed.

South African Air Force

Enroute to Khartoum, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances near Aljammalab, about 100 km southwest of Khartoum. The aircraft was destroyed and all 15 occupants were killed. All of them were pilots flying to UK to take deliver of Spitfire for the SAAF. Crew: Maj Frederick Welgemoed, pilot, Lt Hermanus Gerhardus van Rooyen, copilot, Petrus Andries Burger, flight engineer, Cpl Leslie Donovan Case, wireless operator. Passengers: Maj Andrew Christian Bosman, pilot, Cpt Hendrik Christoffel Weideman Liebenberg, pilot, Lt Ronald Leslie Crisp, pilot, Lt Jacobus Stephanus Gericke, pilot, Lt Robert Cecil Hirst, pilot, Lt Hermanus Johannes Kritzinger, pilot, Lt John Jurie Landman, pilot, Lt Peter David Nelson, pilot, Lt Peter Nicolay, pilot, Lt Norman Peter Prinsloo, pilot.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

The crew was engaged in a meteorological survey mission and left Ohakea AFB at 0700LT. Ten minutes later, while cruising in the Waitohu Valley in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the Tararua Mountain Range. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 4 crew members was found. On March 19, 1949, walkers found the wreckage of the aircraft in a wooded area located near Otaki. Crew: F/Lt Walter Jacobs, F/Lt Sydney Langton, W/O Hedley Newell, AC1 Anthony Hayhurst.

United States Navy - USN

Enroute, the crew encountered unknown technical problems with the engines while cruising in poor weather conditions. Shortly later, the twin engine aircraft hit a mountain slope locate about 7 miles east of Mt Saint Helens. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. The wreckage was located by walkers in early 1960.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

While returning to his base and completing a turn at a height of 75 feet, the crew lost control of the aircraft that crashed inverted in the Seeadler Harbour. All six crew members were killed. Crew (4th Squadron): F/Sgt Jack Mummery, F/Sgt Joseph Hartley, F/Sgt Arthur Doreen, F/Sgt Richard Anderson, F/Sgt Kenneth Taylor, Cpl James Gibson.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

Just after liftoff, in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft banked left, hit the ground and crashed in flames. All four crew members were killed. Crew (21st Squadron): W/Cdr Andrew Henderson, F/Lt Alexander Baxter, F/Lt Arthur Lambie, F/Sgt William Torkington.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

The crew left Emirau Airport on a bombing mission to Rabaul. Following a uneventful mission and while returning to its base, the twin engine aircraft crashed in the Lelet Plateau. The wreckage was found in November 1945 only. All six crew members have been killed. Crew (8th Squadron): F/O Norman Benton, F/Sgt James Cunneen, F/Sgt Robert Buchanan, W/O Chris Jeffares, F/Sgt James Mallett, Sgt Norman Merfield.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

Enroute, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain and disintegrated on impact. All five crew members were killed. As the aircraft was carrying a load of bombs, the explosion on impact was so severe that no trace of the crew was found. Crew (4th Squadron): F/O Keith Graham, Sgt Melville Moxham, F/Sgt Leo Marshall, Sgt Eric Priest, Sgt Douglas Reid.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

The crew was performing a training mission out of Whenuapai AFB when the twin engine aircraft collided with a RNZAF C-47 registered NZ3501 over Kaukapakapa. The crew of the C-47 was able to return to Whenuapai AFB with minor damages and landed safely. The captain of the Ventura ordered his crew to bail out and attempted to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a field in Kaukapakapa. The pilot F/Lt William Farnsworth was killed while his crew was unhurt.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

Few minutes after take off from Piva Aerodrome, en route to Emirau Island, the twin engine aircraft crashed into the sea some 15 miles offshore. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found, except two dinghies and a headset. Crew (4th Squadron): W/Cdr Norman Lecher, F/Lt John Wright, F/Lt Harald Thomson, W/O William Boughey, F/O Barclay Harrington, Sgt Lewis Mawson, Sgt Rex Mossman.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

The crew was involved in a supply mission. After some of the load was dropped, while flying in a valley, the pilot increased power on both engines to leave the valley but the aircraft hit the ridge of a mountain and crashed. Four crew members were killed while the fifth occupant was seriously injured. Crew (1st Squadron): F/Sgt N. Gardiner, F/Lt Dennis Hobbs, † F/Lt Robert Scarlett, † W/O Stanley Nuttall, † F/Sgt Fred Murphy. †

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

The crew was performing a flight from Funafuti (Tuvalu Islands) to Nausori with a load of bomb. The approach and landing were completed in strong cross winds and upon landing, the twin engine aircraft went of control, skidded and veered off runway to the right before coming to rest in a huge explosion. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed. The explosion on final impact was largely contributed by the presence of bombs.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

The crew was performing a flight from Honiara-Henderson Field bound for New Zealand. While cruising off the Guadalcanal Island in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea south of the island. All five crew members were killed. Crew (2nd Squadron): F/Sgt Charles St John, Sgt Stanley Claughton, F/Sgt Patrick Maher, Sgt John Leonard, Sgt Vere Mullany.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

En route from Gisborne to Luganville, the aircraft suffered an engine failure and crashed into the sea, killing all five crew members.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

The crew was engaged in a circular training flight at RNZAF Whenuapai. On final approach, the right engine failed. The captain increased the power on left engine and with full flaps, attempted a single engine approach. The aircraft banked right, went out of control and crashed into trees. Four crew members were killed while the fifth occupant was seriously injured. He died a day later. Crew (8th Squadron): F/Sgt Edward Brightwell, F/Sgt James Pederson, F/Sgt Archibald Alexander, Sgt Harold Mauger, Sgt Russell Robbie.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

Took off at 0600LT from Luganville on a flight to Honiara. En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility. The last radio contact was heard at 0855LT when the aircraft was overflying the south part of the Guadalcanal Island. The twin engine aircraft hit a hill and its wreckage was found a day later. All five crewmen were killed. Crew (1st Squadron): F/O Selwyn Houghton, pilot, W/O Joseph Crisp, W/O Geoffrey Robins, W/O Albert Douglas, F/Sgt Francis Larnach.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

During an anti-submarine mission, one of the engine failed. The captain reduced his altitude in an attempt to ditch the aircraft when control was lost. Aircraft dove into the sea and crashed few miles off shore. All five crew members were killed. Crew (1st Squadron): P/O George Parker, P/O Thomas Vautier, F/Sgt Leo Comesky, Sgt Barry Rosenberg, Sgt Leslie Smith.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

En route, while flying in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft hit the base of Mt Egmont (Mt Taranaki) located south of New Plymouth. All five crew members were killed. Crew (1st OTU): F/O Jack Martin, F/Sgt Arnold Hill, Sgt Harold Day, Sgt James McKay, Sgt Frank Webb.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

The crew was engaged in a bombing mission over Rabaul with two other similar aircraft and left Honiara at 0525LT. While approaching the target, NZ4614 disappeared and apparently crashed into the Solomon Sea. The crew of both other aircraft started a SAR mission to find the wreckage but without success. All operations were eventually suspended on September 17 as no trace of the aircraft was found. As the Japanese forces evacuated the region in February 1944, it was concluded the crash was not caused by enemy action. Crew: F/Lt Roye Stevens, F/O John Carson, W/O Geoffrey Innes, P/O Stanley Dawson, F/O John McGuire.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

The crew left Port Vila Airport on a maritime patrol flight but failed to return. SAR operations were conducted but the wreckage and the four dead bodies were found six weeks later on the slope of a mountain on Malekula Island. Crew: F/Lt Francis Rolston, P/O Norman Underwood, F/O Alexander McInnes, LAC Peter Crees.

Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF

The crew was performing a training mission from Dartmouth to Chatham (Miramichi Airport) with an intermediate stop in Goose Bay. Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in flames. All eleven occupants were killed. Crew: P/O William A. Harris, P/O John C. Tanner. Passengers: Lac Harold A. Stephenson, Lac Henry H. Bell, Lac William G. Leard, A/C Lionel C. Saint Louis, Cpl Louis C. Foris, Cpl Clarence N. Cole, Sgt Myles E. Duquette, Won Melville S. Wood, P/O Donald W. Hume.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

The crew was engaged in a bombing exercise over the Palikulo Bay, off Luganville. The twin engine aircraft left Luganville Airport in the morning, and while performing a turn, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that overturned and dove into the sea few yards off shore. All seven occupants were killed. Crew (9th Squadron): F/L Gordon McLachlan, F/L Bernard O'Fagan, F/O Maxwell Harwood, F/O Lionel Wood, P/O Augustine Thurston, Lt R. Fresb, A. Stinson, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was engaged in a maritime patrol flight over the Mediterranean Sea. En route, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by mistake by a RAF Beaufighter and crashed into the sea. All five crewmen were killed. Crew (500th Squadron): F/O Wayne Sheldon Shea, F/O Vernon Clifford Pockson, P/O Frederick Joseph Schmidt, W/O Henry Ernest Parsloe, Sgt John Philip Taylor.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

While approaching Vanuatu in heavy rain falls, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea off Cape Queiros. On site, no survivor was found. Crew: Flight Lieutenant Peter Wood, Pilot Officer Francis Baird, Flight Sergeant Robert Carter, Sergeant Thomas Murray, Flight Sergeant Brian Vesty, Corporal Edward Ayrey, Leading Aircraftman Raymond Goff.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

While completing a turn in poor weather conditions and low visibility, the twin engine aircraft crashed into the sea and exploded. A crew member was able to swim to the beach while four other occupants were killed. Crew (1st Squadron): P/O Charles Harney, † F/O Gifford Stansell, † F/Sgt Leslie Smith, † W/O James Burton, † Sgt H. Ham.

United States Navy - USN

The crew was performing a training flight when the the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt Baker and was destroyed. SAR operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. The wreckage was eventually spotted by shepherd in 1994.

Royal Air Force - RAF

While on a night training sortie from RAF Sculthorpe, the twin engine aircraft was off course and hit the slope of a mountain near Llandwrog. All four crew members were killed. Crew (464th Squadron): F/Sgt J. A. Johnston, pilot, F/Sgt E. J. E. Beaudry, navigator, F/O L. Fullerton, wireless operator and air gunner, F/Sgt A. S. Clegg, air gunner.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

During a training sortie, the Lockheed RB-34 Ventura went out of control and crashed into the Wolf Hill Forest Reserve, south of Smithfield. All three crew members were killed.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left Pennfield Ridge AFB, New Brunswick, at 1237LT for a training mission. While cruising at low altitude, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances near Summerville, Nova Scotia. All four crew members were killed. Crew: P/O G. W. Cowie, pilot, P/O C. A. Griffiths, navigator 2.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

The aircraft left RAF Methwold at 0735LT to bomb a viaduct located near Saint-Brieuc. While approaching the French coast, the mission was cancelled due to low visibility caused by clouds. At this time, the Ventura was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter and crashed in a field. All four crew members were killed. Crew (464th Squadron): W/O N. A. P. Kane-Maguire, pilot, F/Sgt J. Lawson, navigator, F/Sgt E. W. Goodheart, wireless operator and air gunner, F/Sgt A. J. Galley, air gunner.

United States Navy - USN

The crew was performing a training sortie from Seattle. En route, in unknown circumstances, the twin engine aircraft hit the northeast side of Mt Washington. All five crew members (Marine Corps) were killed.

Royal Air Force - RAF

While on a training mission from Yarmouth, the crew lost control of the aircraft that crashed in Springhaven, 25 km east of Yarmouth. The aircraft was destroyed by fire and all three crew members were killed. Crew (34th OTU): Sgt Kenneth George Calvert, pilot, Sgt John Edward Franckeiss, pilot, Sgt Keith Robert Self, pilot.