Northrop N-23 Pioneer

Darryl G. Greenmayer

The pilot did not hold a type rating or written authorization to act as pilot in command. The copilot did not hold a type rating or written authorization to act as second in command and his medical had expired. The aircraft did not have an airworthiness certificate nor had a special flight permit been issued. The left propeller went into reverse during the initial climb due to corrosion and deterioration of the wiring that controlled the propeller. The aircraft crashed out of control after colliding with power lines during takeoff. It struck the ground and went through a fence then down a slope and over an embankment. The aircraft then bounced across a street while turning around and colliding with a power line pole tail first. The aircraft had traveled about 537 feet from initial ground contact. All 3 engines were still producing power when the aircraft came to rest. Both occupants escaped uninjured.

South American Placers of Bolivia

Crashed in unknown circumstances. No casualties.

SLM Surinam Airways - Surinaamse Luchtvaart Maatschappij

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Paramaribo-Zorg en Hoop Airport. Occupant's fate remains unknown.

Northrop Aircraft

The three engine aircraft was operated by the manufacturer Northrop in a number of various unimproved and short fields in Southern California (exact place unknown). The crew, consisting of one engineer and two pilots, was performing a test of an experimental dorsal fin. While flying in the vicinity of an airfield, the fin broke loose and damaged the Pioneer’s tail surfaces, making the aircraft uncontrollable. The test pilot Latham A. “Slim” Perrett did what he could to steady the aircraft to allow the copilot and an engineer to parachute to safety. Sadly, there was no time for Perrett to escape. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed. Source: http://oldmachinepress.com/2014/05/17/northrop-n-23-pioneer-and-n-32-yc-125-raider/