Stinson SM-1 Detroiter

Historical safety data and incident record for the Stinson SM-1 Detroiter aircraft.

Safety Rating

9.8/10

Total Incidents

8

Total Fatalities

16

Incident History

Norsk Lufttrafik

Sweden All Sweden

Crashed in Sweden while on a delivery flight. The fate of the pilot is uncertain.

Chinook Flying Service

Cochrane Alberta

Shortly after takeoff from a field located in Cochrane, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed. Occupant fate unknown.

January 2, 1930 5 Fatalities

Tanner Air Livery

Point Vicente California

The airplane departed Santa Monica-Clover Field in the afternoon, carrying four passengers and one pilot. The team was filming aerial scenes for the film 'Such Men Are Dangerous' on behalf of the Fox Studios. While cruising about three miles offshore and filming people parachuting from a third aircraft, the Stinson Detroiter registered NC8420 collided with a second Detroiter registered NC9691. Also operated by Tanner Air Livery, he was carrying four passengers and one pilot as well. Following the collision, both airplanes entered a dive and crashed in the sea. All 10 occupants were killed. Crew: Walter Ross cook, pilot, Halleck Rouse, pilot, Kenneth Neil Hawks, director, Ben Frankel, assistant director, Max Gold, assistant director, George Eastman, cameraman, Tom Harris, Harry Johannes, Otho Jordan, Conrad Wells, cinematographer.

January 2, 1930 5 Fatalities

Tanner Air Livery

Point Vicente California

The airplane departed Santa Monica-Clover Field in the afternoon, carrying four passengers and one pilot. The team was filming aerial scenes for the film 'Such Men Are Dangerous' on behalf of the Fox Studios. While cruising about three miles offshore and filming people parachuting from a third aircraft, the Stinson Detroiter registered NC9691 collided with a second Detroiter registered NC8420. Also operated by Tanner Air Livery, he was carrying four passengers and one pilot as well. Following the collision, both airplanes entered a dive and crashed in the sea. All 10 occupants were killed. Crew: Walter Ross cook, pilot, Halleck Rouse, pilot, Kenneth Neil Hawks, director, Ben Frankel, assistant director, Max Gold, assistant director, George Eastman, cameraman, Tom Harris, Harry Johannes, Otho Jordan, Conrad Wells, cinematographer.

September 6, 1928 3 Fatalities

Packard Electric Company

Rockford-Greater Rockford Illinois

Shortly after takeoff from Rockford-Greater Rockford Airport, while in initial climb, the engine failed. The aircraft lost height, hit telephone wires and crashed in the Rock River. Three occupants were rescued and three others were killed.

March 13, 1928 2 Fatalities

Elsie Mackay

Atlantic Ocean All World

The pilot Raymond Hinchliffe and the British actress Elsie Mackay were engaged in a nonstop transatlantic flight from UK to Long Island. The aircraft named 'Endeavour' departed RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, at 0845LT bound to the US. The single engine was spotted over Crookhaven, in the Cork county, and later by the crew of the French steamer 'Josiah Macy'. As the aircraft failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were undertaken for several days but eventually suspended as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. On December 1928, a wheel from the aircraft (with a serial number proving it was from this aircraft) was found on a beach in the Donegal county, Ireland. This was the only trace ever found. According to authorities, it is believed that the aircraft probably crashed into the ocean around 1400LT.

Ruth Elder

Atlantic Ocean All World

While performing a nonstop transatlantic flight from New York (Roosevelt Field) to Paris, the aircraft named 'American Girl' was cruising 650 km west from the Azores Islands when the engine failed due to an oil leak. The crew sent a mayday message, reporting his position. The pilot ditched the airplane and both occupants were later rescued by the crew of the dutch tanker named 'Barendrecht'. The aircraft sank and was lost. Crew: George Halderman, pilot. Passenger: Mrs. Ruth Elder, aviator, actress and owner of the aircraft.

August 26, 1927 1 Fatalities

Paul Rinaldo Redfern

Guyana All Guyana

The pilot Paul Rinaldo Redfern, sole on board, was performing a flight from Brunswick, Georgia, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At 1500LT, the crew of a Dutch Ship spotted the aircraft flying over the Caribbean Sea. Few hours later, the aircraft named 'Port of Brunswick' disappeared without trace. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was found. During a 13th expedition, an American team found the wreckage of the airplane in the jungle of Guyana 10 years later.

Safety Profile

Reliability

Reliable

This rating is based on historical incident data and may not reflect current operational safety.

Primary Operators (by incidents)

Tanner Air Livery2
Chinook Flying Service1
Elsie Mackay1
Norsk Lufttrafik1
Packard Electric Company1
Paul Rinaldo Redfern1
Ruth Elder1