Stinson SM-6000

Pittsburgh Skyways

Shortly after takeoff from Pittsburgh-Allegheny County Airport, bound for a local sightseeing flight by night, the three engine aircraft stalled and crashed. Ten occupants were killed. The only survivor was a 17 year old girl who was seriously injured.

Central Vermont Airways

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Occupant fate unknown as well.

Private American

Crashed in Costa Mesa for unknown reason while approaching to land at Santa Ana-Orange County Airport. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, no one was injured. The airplane was owned by G. S. Armistead.

Chicago %26 Southern Air Lines

The three engine aircraft left Springfield Airport at 2200LT on a mail flight to New Orleans with a passenger and a pilot on board. Twenty-six minutes later, while approaching a wooded area, pilot decided to make a right turn to avoid the trees when the extremity of the right wing hit the ground. The aircraft crashed some 6 km northwest of Nilwood and was destroyed upon impact. Both occupants were killed.

Chicago %26 Southern Air Lines

Crashed in unknown circumstances. No casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Rapid Air Lines

While flying at night in marginal weather conditions, the pilot did not realize he was too low. The airplane impacted trees and crashed in a wooded area located near Amazonia, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both occupants were killed.

Central Airlines

While on a night cargo flight from Washington DC to Pittsburgh, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with icing. The airplane lost altitude and while attempting an emergency landing, crashed into a knoll. The pilot, sole on board, was injured.

Rapid Air Transport

The airplane departed Kansas City at 1835LT on a schedule service to Omaha, carrying four passengers and one pilot. En route, the pilot was instructed to divert to St Joseph due to the deterioration of the weather conditions en route. The airplane landed in St Joseph at 1905LT and remained there until 2200LT. It took off shortly after 2200LT on the final leg to Omaha. But few minutes after takeoff, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and limited visibility while cruising at night and heavy rain falls. He reduced his altitude, probably to establish a visual contact with the ground. The plane missed a house by only 50 feet then impacted trees and crashed against an embankment. The wreckage was found about 10 miles northwest of St Joseph. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed. Crew: Don Bontrager. Passengers: Mrs. Maude Schiffmacher, Frank Mahan, W. W. Truelson, Dallas Leitch.

Century Air Lines

The crew (an instructor and four student pilots) was performing night training exercises at Saint Louis-Lambert Airport. On approach, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low. The aircraft collided with a windmill and crashed in a field. Three pilots were killed and two others were seriously injured.

Century Pacific Lines

The three engine airplane departed Bakersfield on a flight to Los Angeles, carrying seven passengers and one pilot. En route, weather conditions deteriorated and the visibility was poor due to heavy snow falls. The pilot decided to return to Bakersfield when he lost control of the airplane that crashed in a mountainous area located between Lebec and Fort Tejon, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found a week later and all eight occupants were killed. Crew: Joseph Victor Sandblom, pilot Passengers: Frank Dewar, Spencer W. Swan, J. H. Polhemus, W. H. Smith, Nita McGrath, Margaret A. Fickeisen, Marie Sweeny Combs.

New York, Philadelphia and Washington Airway Corporation

Crashed in unknown circumstances. There were no casualties.