Incident Name: approaching the Columbia Airtanker Base, Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit, California
Date: 7/18/1970
Personnel: 2 lives lost
Age:
Agency/Organization: Hemet Valley Flying Service under contract with CDF (now CAL FIRE)
Position: aerial firefighter
Summary:
Don Campbell, 63
John Carter, 50
The PBY-6A airtanker – Tanker 77 – was on final approach to the airport at Columbia CA when it undershot the runway and crashed into rocks. Pilot Don Campbell & Copilot John Carter died.
From Wikipedia, TBY type, also Airtanker Pilots
Maps
Columbia Airtanker Base, Tuolumne, California, crashed on final approach
{mosmap lat=’38.031319’|lon=’-120.407996’|marker=’0’|text=’general area of accident’}
Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- Concise Information from the NTSB, FAA, AAP and research by the WLF Staff:
- 7/18/1970, 1600 hours
- 2 killed, Don Campbell & John Carter
- Operator: Hemet Valley Flying Service under contract with California Department of Forestry (now CAL FIRE)
- Type: CONVAIR PBY-6A
- Location: runway at Columbia Airtanker Base, CA
- FAA Registration # N6459C
- NTSB # OAK71FVA08
- National Transportation Safety Board: Probable CauseUndershot final approach to runway; Collided with object.
The pilot in command – misjudged distance, speed and altitude.
Factors: Miscellaneous acts, conditions – downwind; weather – high temperature;
Remarks – aircraft observed making 360 turns at low altitude. Pilot replied final approach. Hit granite boulders 252 feet short, 5 feet below runway.
- For more information consult the NTSB online lookup Utility Use NTSB Identification: OAK71FVA08
- Warbird Registry: Tanker 77
- California Death Index: John W Carter | Donald Campbell
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