1929 — March 17, Colonial Western Airways tri-motor engine failure crash, Newark, NJ–14

–14 Bureau of Aircraft Accident Archives. “Crash of a Ford 4 in Newark: 14 Killed.”
–14 Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters. EM DAT Database.
–14 NJ.com. “The 10 deadliest aviation accidents in New Jersey history.” 8-27-2017.
–14 Planecrashinfo.com. “1929…Accident Details…Newark, NY…Colonial Western Air…”

Narrative Information

Bureau of Aircraft Accident Archives:
“Date & Time: Mar 17, 1929 at 1700 LT [local time]
“Type of aircraft: Ford 4
“Operator: Colonial Western Airways
“Registration: NC7683
“Flight Phase: Takeoff (climb)
“Flight Type: Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
“Survivors: Yes
“Site: Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
‘Schedule: Newark – Newark
“MSN: 4-AT-041
“YOM: 1928
“Location: Newark, New Jersey
….
“Crew on board: 2
“Crew fatalities: 1
“Pax on board: 13
“Pax fatalities: 13
“Other fatalities: 0
“Total fatalities: 14
“Captain/Total flying hours: 2500
“Circumstances: Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of 500 feet, the
aircraft stalled and crashed. The captain was injured while all 14
other occupants were killed. The aircraft was performing a local sightseeing flight over the area of Newark. Up to date, worst accident within the US.

“Probable cause: Two engines stopped simultaneously shortly after takeoff.
Insufficient speed caused the aircraft to stall. Other factors identified
in the investigation were the failure of the pilot to pay attention to
the wind component, his incorrect assessment as to the distance from
the airport and his lack of familiarity with the surrounding area.”

NJ.com. “The 10 deadliest aviation accidents in New Jersey history.” 8-27-2017:
“No. 10. Colonial Western Airways
“Date: March 17, 1929
“Crash location: Newark, NJ
“Fatalities: 14 (all on plane) [Incorrect – 14 died, but pilot survived.]

“The flight of a Ford tri-motor plane, on a sightseeing trip, began normally until the plane turned — and the engine suddenly failed. According to a 1929 New York Times report, the pilot attempted an emergency landing at a dump, but failed and crashed into a sand-filled rail car, killing everyone on board but the pilot.

“The Aviation Corporation, which eventually became American Airlines, bought Colonial Western Airlines later that year.”

Planecrashinfo.com: “The plane was making the last of a number of sightseeing flights when one of its three engines failed. The plane went out of control at an altitude of 200 ft. and crashed into a railroad freight car. Engine failure followed by a stall during an emergency landing attempt.” [One survivor, one of the two crew members.]
(Planecrashinfo.com. “1929…Accident Details…Newark, NJ…Colonial Western Air…”)

Sources

Bureau of Aircraft Accident Archives. “Crash of a Ford 4 in Newark: 14 Killed.” Accessed 8-20-2023 at: https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-ford-4-newark-14-killed

Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters. EM DAT Database. Louvain, Belgium: Universite Catholique do Louvain. Accessed at: http://www.emdat.be/

NJ.com. “The 10 deadliest aviation accidents in New Jersey history.” 8-27-2017. Accessed 8-19-2023 at: https://www.nj.com/news/2017/08/the_10_deadliest_air_accidents_in_new_jersey_histo.html

Planecrashinfo.com. “1929…Accident Details…March 17, 1929…Newark, New Jersey… Colonial Western Airlines…Sightseeing…” Accessed 8-20-2023 at: http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1929/1929-6.htm