American Airlines Accidents and Incidents - 1940s

1940s

• October 30, 1941: American Airlines Flight 1, a Douglas DC-3 en route from New York City to Detroit with two stopovers at Buffalo and Chicago, stalled and dived into a ploughed field over St. Thomas, Ontario in Canada killing all 20 on board after circling to look for a place to land. Cause undetermined.
• October 23, 1942: American Airlines Flight 28 (Flagship Connecticut), en route from Burbank, California to New York City, crashed in Chino Canyon near Palm Springs after it was clipped by a U.S. Army Air Corps Lockheed B-34 Ventura II bomber. The crash killed all nine passengers and crew of three aboard the Douglas DC-3; among the victims was award-winning composer and Hollywood songwriter Ralph Rainger. The bomber, being flown by a two-man crew, landed safely.
• July 28, 1943: American Airlines Flight 63 (Flagship Ohio), a Douglas DC-3 routing Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati-Louisville-Nashville-Memphis crashed on the second-to-last segment of the flight (Louisville-Nashville) about 1.6 miles (2.6 km) west of Trammel, KY. The aircraft descended from 200 feet (61 m) until it struck trees, then traveled across an open field and stopped in an upright position. Of the 22 people on board (18 passenger and 4 crew) 20 died. The cause of the crash was loss of control due to severe turbulence and violent downdrafts.
• October 15, 1943: American Airlines Flight 63 (Flagship Missouri) a Douglas DC-3 routing Nashville-Memphis crashed near Centerville, Tennessee. As the aircraft was cleared to climb by air traffic control, it instead descended until it struck a hill and burst into flames. All 11 people on board (8 passengers and 3 crew) were killed, including Blan R. Maxwell, who was the speaker of the Tennessee State Senate. The cause of the crash was determined to be icing, either on the wings or propellers.
• February 10, 1944: American Airlines Flight 2, a DC-3 routing Little Rock, Arkansas-Memphis crashed into the Mississippi River about 18.1 miles (29.1 km) from Memphis International Airport. All 24 occupants on board (21 passengers and 3 crew members) were killed; 11 of the fatalities were members of the armed services. The cause of the crash was never determined.
• January 10, 1945: American Airlines Flight 6001, a Douglas DC-3 was approaching Lockheed Air Terminal now known as Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, CA when it apparently veered to the left as if circling to landing. The pilot radioed, stating he could not gain visual contact with the ground and requested vectors to Palmdale. Clearance to proceed was given, but the flight was not seen or heard from again until the next day when search crews found the wreckage in foothills approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) NE of the Lockheed Air Terminal. All 24 occupants (21 passengers and 3 crew), including 17 members of the Army and Navy, were killed. The cause of the crash was determined to be the pilot's missed approach procedure to the point where it could not be applied safely.
• February 23, 1945: American Airlines Flight 9, a Douglas DC-3 flying on a routing New York City-Washington, DC-Nashville-Los Angeles, crashed into the wooded summit of Glade Mountain about 6 miles (9.7 km) SW of the town of Rural Retreat, Virginia. Of the 22 occupants on board (19 passengers and 3 crewmembers) 17 were killed. The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error in not properly remaining at a safe altitude.
• March 3, 1946: American Airlines Flight 6-103, a Douglas DC-3, routing New York-Tucson-San Diego, crashed into Thing Mountain, near El Centro, California. The crew reported flying over El Centro; thereafter the aircraft descended and crashed into the mountain. All 25 occupants on board (22 passengers and 3 crew) were killed. The cause of the crash was determined to be the pilot's action in permitting the descent to occur, for which no explanation has been found.
• August 25, 1946: American Airlines Flight 26, (Flagship Tulsa), a Douglas C-47 was on a training flight originating and terminating in Memphis, TN. Approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) WSW of Ashland, MS the aircraft crashed into the ground. Both occupants on board were killed. The cause of the crash was determined to be an unexplained loss of control.
• December 28, 1946: American Airlines Flight 2007, a Douglas C-50, routing Detroit-Chicago crashed near Michigan City, Indiana after an emergency diversion to South Bend after the pilot reported problems with both engines. Of the 21 occupants on board (18 passengers and 3 crew) 2 of the crew were killed. The cause of the crash was determined to be fuel starvation in both engines.
• August 8, 1947: American Airlines Flight 765 a Douglas DC-3 flying New York City-Buffalo on a cargo flight (transporting an engine) crashed into Flushing Bay while returning to La Guardia Airport after the pilot reported low oil pressure in No. 2 engine. The aircraft sank in approximately five minutes. Both pilots on board were killed. The cause of the crash was determined to be insufficient air speed for single-engine operation while attempting the landing.
• November 29, 1949: American Airlines Flight 157, a Douglas DC-6, veered off the runway and struck buildings after the flight crew lost control of the aircraft during its final approach to Dallas Love Field; 26 passengers and 2 crew members were killed.