1956 — Mar 2, USAF C124C Globemaster II (enroute US) engine problem, ditched off Iceland–17

— 17 ASN. Accident description. USAF Douglas C-124C Globemaster II, off Iceland, 3-2-1956
— 17 European Stars and Stripes, Darmstadt. “17 Lost in Crash of ‘Jinxed’ C124.” 3-4-1956, 1.
— 17 Times Record, Troy, NY. “Air Force Plane Crashes in Atlantic.” 3-3-1956, p. 1.
— 17 Titusville Herald, PA. “Still No Trace of Globemaster.” 3-5-1956, p. 1.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network:
“….Registration: 53-0021
“C/n /msn: 44316….
“Fatalities: 17 / Occupants: 17….
“Location: 385 km (240.6 mls) SW off Iceland (Atlantic Ocean)….
“Departure airport: Reykjavik-Keflavik International Airport…Iceland.
“Destination airport: ?
“Narrative: Engine problems force the crew to ditch the plane in the Atlantic. The Globemaster was en route to the U.S. from Iceland.” (Aviation Safety Network. Accident description. United States Air Force, Douglas C-124C Globemaster II, off Iceland, 2 Mar 1956. 9-11-2007 update.)

Baugher: “Douglas C-124C Globemaster II…021 (c/n 44316) ditched in Atlantic Ocean off Iceland Mar 2, 1956. All crew were killed.” (Baugher. 1953 USAF Serial Numbers. 10-27-2011 revision.)

Newspaper

March 3, AP: “London (AP) – A U.S. Air Force Globemaster with 17 persons aboard crashed in the North Atlantic off Iceland last night [March 2] at almost the spot the same plane narrowly escaped disaster a week ago. An Air Force spokesman here said radio messages from a weather ship reported finding the first bit of wreckage from the four-engined plane. “We know now the Globemaster crashed into the sea,” the spokesman said.

“The plane had left the Keflavik, Iceland, airport yesterday, bound for New York. An oxygen bottle, part of the plane’s equipment, was recovered and showed extensive traces of fire, the spokesman said. The bottle was picked up by the weather ship “Alpha,” about 250 miles west of the Iceland coast.
Engine Failed.

“That was near the position where the plane sent “May Day” messages — extreme distress signals — shortly before midnight. The last message said three of the plane’s four engines had failed and it was losing altitude rapidly.

“Dispatches from Reykjavik said the Alpha also picked up burned fragments of plywood near the
last reported position of the Globemaster.

“Eight planes scanned the area early today and were joined by eight others at daybreak, The U.S. Air Force sent search and rescue craft from both sides of the Atlantic — from as far east as Prestwick, Scotland, and as far west as Harmon Air Base in Newfoundland. The fact that Iceland has nearly 12 hours of daylight at this time of the year helped in the search, but the weather was described by an Air Force spokesman as “pretty bad. ”

“Eventual destination of the Globemaster was reported to have been Warner-Robbins Air Force Base in Georgia.
In Trouble Week Ago.

“One week ago the same C124 transport developed engine trouble in roughly the same position off Iceland and was ‘shepherded’ in by Air-Sea Rescue planes.

“The U.S. weather ship, aided by Air Force planes continued the search for survivors.

“Last Saturday the big craft landed safely at Keflavik after a grim two-hour battle with failing engines over the Atlantic. On that flight the lumbering four-engine transport was en route from Goose Bay, Labrador, to Prestwick, Scotland, when two engines conked out. Air-Sea Rescue planes from Keflavik rushed to the scene after the pilot said he was considering ditching at sea, but he managed to limp in without further mishap.

“Most of the 17 persons aboard were American airmen en route from Iceland to Goose Bay, Labrador, and then to New York….” (Times Record, Troy, NY. “Air Force Plane Crashes in Atlantic.” 3-3-1956, p. 1.)

March 3, AP: “London, March 3 (AP) – A big U.S. Air Force plane with 17 aboard crashed and burned in the North Atlantic today when its number came up in one of aviation’s strangest coincidences. The same plane—with the same crew—brushed with disaster in the same area off Iceland exactly a week ago. All 17 aboard the jinxed Globemaster today were feared killed….

“Two bits of Wreckage — a flame scarred oxygen bottle and a shattered and smoked piece of plywood — were the only traces of the giant military transport….

“Last Saturday the same plane radioed to Reykjavik, Iceland, that two engines were out and preparations for ditching were being carried out. The message was sent from almost the exact position — 62.42 north, 29.47 west – where the plane was last heard from early this morning….

“The Air Force in Washington said two new engines had just been installed at Keflavik, Iceland, on the C124. The Air Force said the two engines replaced two engines that failed during the eastbound crossing a week ago.

“The airplane was comparatively new, a spokesman said, with less than 1,000 hours flying time. The Air Force described the aircraft command of the C124 as thoroughly experienced, with more
than 1,100 hours experience in piloting that type plane.” (European Stars and Stripes, Darmstadt. “17 Lost in Crash of ‘Jinxed’ C124.” 3-4-1956, 1.)

Sources

Aviation Safety Network. Accident description. United States Air Force, Douglas C-124C Globemaster II, off Iceland, 02 Mar 1956. 9-11-2007 update. Accessed 1-8-2012 at: http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19560302-1

European Stars and Stripes, Darmstadt, Germany. “17 Lost in Crash of ‘Jinxed’ C124,” 3-4-1956, p. 1. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=118229181

Times Record, Troy, NY. “Air Force Plane Crashes in Atlantic.” 3-3-1956, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=94330763

Titusville Herald, PA. “Still No Trace of Globemaster.” 3-5-1956, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=106010400