Status: Accident investigation report completed and information captured Date: Tuesday 4 September 1962 Time: 21:00 Type: Silhouette image of generic L18 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different Lockheed 18-56-24 Lodestar Operator: Ashland Oil and Refining Company Registration: N1000F MSN: 18-2463 First flight: 1943 Total airframe hrs: 6557 Engines: 2 Wright R-1820-87 Crew: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 Passengers: Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 11 Total: Fatalities: 13 / Occupants: 13 Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair Location: near Lake Milton, OH ( United States of America) Phase: En route (ENR) Nature: Executive Departure airport: Buffalo Airport, NY, United States of America Destination airport: Ashland Regional Airport, KY (DWU/KDWU), United States of America Narrative: At approximately 19:51, Lodestar N1000F contacted the Buffalo Tower for taxi instructions and was cleared to runway 13, and shortly thereafter the flight was cleared for takeoff. N1000F departed Buffalo at 19:59. The flight operated routinely to the vicinity of Youngstown, Ohio. It reported over Youngstown at 20:51 at 8,000 feet, estimating arrival over the Briggs VOR at 21:09. Before reaching the VOR however, the aircraft lost its right wing in flight, crashed and burned in a field.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was a malfunction of the electric elevator trim tab unit which resulted in aircraft uncontrollability and subsequent structural failure of the wing."
Accident investigation:
Investigating agency: CAB Status: Investigation completed Accident number: final report Download report: Final report
Sources: » CAB File No. 2-0347
Follow-up / safety actions As a result of a recommendation made by the Board to the Federal Aviation Agency, an order for immediate deactivation of Spartan electric longitudinal trim systems in L-18 aircraft was issued by that Agency. This order was followed by a modification of S.T.C. SA2-183 which now requires a driving motor rated at 0.12 horsepower at 4000 r.p.m. as opposed to the original motor which produced 0.167 horsepower and operated at 8500 r.p.m. In addition, this modification limits the travel limits of the elevator trim tab to 5 degrees nosedown trim and 10 degrees noseup. All L-18 aircraft, in order to utilize the Spartan electric longitudinal trim system, must now comply with the provisions of this modification.
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Lockheed 18
624 built 171st loss 78th fatal accident 12th worst accident (at the time) 13th worst accident (currently)
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Anonymous, 09.03.2024 01:07
jab@johnberkstresser.com
Deborah Thornton, e-mail, 09.03.2024 00:35
Ms. Matuski, I am so sorry for the poor decision making of the Ashland Oil company and the lost of your father and the others. A.B. Berkstresser, was apparently the First Officer on an American Airlines flight from Memphis, TN to Phoenix, AZ on April 23, 1946. He is listed on the "Flight Report" we found in the papers of one of my cousins who was on that flight. If you will email me at dthornton9@aol.com I will be happy to send you a copy of the scanned documents. THank you. Deborah
Deborah Thornton, e-mail, 09.03.2024 00:34
Mr. Berkstresser, Your brother, A.B. Berkstresser, was apparently the First Officer on an American Airlines flight from Memphis, TN to Phoenix, AZ on April 23, 1946. He is listed on the "Flight Report" we found in the papers of one of my cousins who was on that flight. If you will email me at dthornton9@aol.com I will be happy to send you a copy of the scanned documents. THank you. Deborah
Della Evans, e-mail, 20.03.2023 00:25
Can you tell me a little about your Grandfather? I have found all the pictures and Obits I can find. Yes, this was a horrible tragedy, but I want to humanize each passenger with a life, love, hobbies and dreams......
Della Evans, e-mail, 20.03.2023 00:22
Can you tell me a little about your Grandfather? I have found all the pictures and Obits I can find. Yes, this was a horrible tragedy, but I want to humanize each passenger with a life, love, hobbies and dreams......
Della Evans, e-mail, 20.03.2023 00:18
we are about to celebrate his life in a Historical Meeting about the 1962 Ashland Oil Disastor. He led quite a life....
James Cook, e-mail, 06.07.2020 03:48
Hello Gerald, I was looking around for information on IP’s previous aircraft. Last I saw online was a trip to Bardstown, KY from years ago. I am trying to bring back some of the history of the department. I have Carl’s book and a few small photos of my dads but would like to chase down some high quality photos to get scanned and enlarged to put in the hangar. I plan on getting all the planes represented from the 12A all the way to the current 7X. With almost 80 years of history I’m sure it will take some time. If you happen to have any info or pictures to help, I would be appreciative of your efforts. Thank you for your time.
Bob, e-mail, 29.04.2020 13:41
Hi Gerald,
One other name comes to mind, Carl Lund. My dad, Walt Reinhaus worked at IP aircraft facility in Mobile as well. Unfortunately, everyone I mentioned has passed away but will never be forgotten. I used to get to ride along in their planes when there were plenty of vacant seats and I do remember how roomy the Lodestar was. The last flight I made with IP was in a Citation-2 with Leonard and my Dad, a quick flight to take an engineer from Mobile to a mill in Texarkana. in the early 70's, we did a lot of fishing and boating with Leonard and Vera McGee, very fine family to be friends with
Gerald Barnes, e-mail, 28.04.2020 06:39
Hi Bob,
Yes sir, I did/do know Leonard McGee very well. Co-piloted with him a few hundred hours in the early 1970s on Lodestar and Be-90s.
He was a great pilot, one of the smoothest I ever saw. He showed me a lot about flying.
I was wondering if Leonard was still alive. Sure would like to talk with him.
Gerald Barnes
Bob, e-mail, 21.04.2020 21:58
Did you know Leonard McGee who also flew with IP in Mobile?
Joe Williams, e-mail, 11.06.2016 04:08
I worked for National Airlines in 1944. One of their Lodestars set a speed record when purchased by company President George Baker from California to Florida in order to advertise National's Lodestar use, I assume in 1940. This exploit was painted on the fuselage of that plane for customers to see. I cannot find any mention of this record. Please help if you can. Thanks.
John Gomes, e-mail, 14.02.2015 03:14
I flew in the Lodestar as a navigation student at the AAF Navigation School Hondo, TX in 1944. It was outfitted to carry 5 students plus an instructor and Pilots. In most of our training missions we flew in Beach AT-7's
John A Berkstresser, e-mail, 29.11.2014 06:13
I am one of the brothers of pilot A Blaine Berkstresser, who lost his life as the pilot in command of N1000F for Ashland Oil and Refining Company as a result of a Trim malfunction on September 1962. Blaine was the Chief Pilot at the time. I was 13 years old when the accident occurred. I had always looked up to him. I was always determined to follow in his footsteps. I just turned 65 and was forced into retirement from United Airlines because of the age requirement. Since I entered the US Navy at 21 years of age I have had a wonderful career as a pilot in aviation. I have Blaine to thank. He was a terrific role model for me. Unfortunately, he did not live long enough too realize my success.
Jerry Cohen, e-mail, 20.11.2013 02:07
I also flew as a co-pilot,mechanic on a lockee d L-18 with some of the Howard 250 mods, during the early 1970s. Operated by Marble Cliff Quarries. N-123MC. Turned into a Convair 240, N-300MC shortly thereafter. Anyone have any pictures,please?-Thanks
Barbara Matusik, e-mail, 30.09.2013 18:32
My father was the pilot of 1000Fox that went down in Ohio due to trim tab failure that night in September 1962. All 13 men could not have pulled that aircraft out of its downward plunge. A.B. "Blaine" Berkstresser was a great pilot who had logged over 2 million miles. During the early years of WWII he trained pilots for the US air force, flew DC3s and Conveyors for American Airlines and went to work for Ashland Oil in 1958 as their only pilot flying the CEO in their only plane, the same Lockheed Loadstar. In the 1960s my dad wanted to retire the Loadstar as it had become antiquated. He advised the executives to purchase a Leer Jet. This would mean training for the 5 pilots and the mechanics. The executives, including the millionaire J. Howard Marshall, felt that the cost was way over their budget! The loss of those 13 men was way more than their budget!
Bud Rodgers, e-mail, 12.01.2013 16:44
I flew as co-pilot out SBN from late 1963 to early 1967 for Studbaker corp.in a Howard 250. The engines carried the Studbaker name plate.In 1997 I came across the Howard parked next to hanger belonging to air museum I believe it was in ABQ.The curator gave me co-pilot's yoke.I took two pictures similar to the two that I have from the 60's
Bud, e-mail, 09.01.2013 05:27
772 234 8546Brroughers crash willow run
Bud, e-mail, 09.01.2013 05:23
1965 crash Brroughs corp
Manny, e-mail, 27.06.2012 00:52
Howard Hughes had the L-18 converted to a "Learstar" I flew N-163R in the early '70s. It was owned by the Carterpillar corp before being ourchased bt Antillean Marine in Miami. What a machine!!!
Paul Sheehan, e-mail, 05.05.2012 08:16
I'm trying to find Lodestar N796G MSN 18-2102 which was still registered to Omni International in Washington DC at late as 1977. It was sold soon after and then all trace of it ceases. The FAA show it as "privately sold - not for sale". Can anyone help me with this please as this aircraft is historically important in Australia. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks - Paul Sheehan, Melbourne, Australia
Jan P, 05.09.2011 22:05
This was the plane my grandfather was killed in 1962 over Ohio. An Ashland Oil private plane.
Klaatu, e-mail, 10.07.2011 18:51
An armed version of this transport became the AAF's B-34 Ventura and Navy's PV Harpoon.
Don Humphreys, e-mail, 06.06.2011 04:29
Had many an hour as M/Sgt/ copilot on 39618 out of EL Toro in 1944. Went from there to USN Flight School
Darrell Meldrum, e-mail, 15.03.2011 18:56
Worked on one at Hobby in Houston in the 60's Coming back from Cosamel it lost oil in one eng. flew 600mi into Galveston on one eng. mine very proud of my work
Ron Hedges, e-mail, 07.03.2011 04:06
I flew as co-pilot/mechanic early in my career on a Dee Howard converted Howard-250 with all the mods. Great airplane !!
Ron Hedges
Bsrney Snyder, e-mail, 07.02.2011 06:54
My dad worked for Forest Oil of Bradford, PA at the time.. . . 1952. They hired a Pan Am pilot who flew them all over the USA. The company -a private one, obviously- let my dad use the plane for his personal use. All he had to do was pay for the gasoline. What a plane. I can't begin to imagine the rudder pressure needed to keep it lined up on take off under full throttle.
Dan Feltham, e-mail, 04.12.2010 18:31
Fairchild Aerial Surveys, Inc. owned two Lodestars in the late '50s and early '60s. I helped manage aerial surveys in Morocco and Libya using a magnetometer for oil exploration purposes. We flew most of the northern half of Libya, including the Sirte Basin, using aerial photos and SHORAN for exact navigation. The Lodestar performed flawlessly!
dan naugle, e-mail, 20.11.2010 02:25
I have a propeller off of a lockeed laodstar that crashed at willow run in 1965 if anyone has any info of this crash please let me know
Jack Thompson, e-mail, 11.11.2010 02:53
I previously made comment. As I have an e-mail change will comment futher. I flew Lockheed N343S in many of Governor George C. Wallaces campaigns through out the United States. I certainly miss this grand L-18 (C-60)
Dan Colburn, e-mail, 07.11.2010 05:36
I flew Lodestar for the Rock Island Lumber Co.The Weyerhaeuser family from 1956 to 1962 company. Our Lodestar was a Navy R3D had Wright 1820 engines. Our license number was N4S for "Four Square" lumber. I flew it 2500 hours without an engine failure. This was due to our wonderful maintenance man Mr. Bob Sanders. I don't remember ever canceling or delaying a flight due to mechanical problems.
Harold Carlin, e-mail, 08.09.2010 04:55
Flew as radioman on this plane out of Naval Air Station at Corpua Christie,Texas. Admiral Mason was in charge of all primary pilot training and traveled to Pensacola,Jacksonville,&Washington DC .This was in 1943 & 1944
Harold Carlin, e-mail, 08.09.2010 04:48
Flew as radioman on this plane out of Naval Air station, Corpus Christ, Tex.Admiral Mason was in charge of all primary pilot training & used to fly to Pensacola, Jacksonville & Washington,DC in 1943&194
Gerald Barnes, e-mail, 07.09.2010 23:39
International Paper Company had a fine plain Lodestar with Wright 1820s, N59720. I co-piloted her from 1970-1972 out of Mobile, Alabama. She had been ordered by IP and was conscripted during WWII before they took possession. After the war, IP took the bird out of the box and used it until at least the mid '70s then gave it to a university up north. Great old bird, tough and resilient.
JERRY THOMPSON, e-mail, 19.01.2010 02:05
I flew a Ventura, (PV-1) in early 60's. It was a larger version of the Lodestar, and was remanufactured and modified by the DEE HOWARD company of San Antonio,Tx. It was the ultimate airplane of the piston engine era. Two R-2800-10 2000 H.P. engines, wing and fuselage changes. DC-6 landing gear and props gave it a cruising speed of 312m.p.h. at 57% power at 10000 ft. Ed Sweringen was the excelent design engineer for howard.
sid glaser, e-mail, 14.07.2009 16:18
I flew from Managua, Nicaragua to Miami on a TACA Airlines Lodestar in March, 1944. we left MGA at 7 AM and after stops in Tegucigalpa, San Salvador, and Merida, Mexico, we landed in MIA in late afternoon. It was my second airplane ride after arriving in MGA in a TACA Tri-Motor Ford. Of my more than 700 commercial flights, those two are still the most memorable.
Joe, e-mail, 20.02.2009 04:39
I flew N1490V for six years from 1962. 1490V had the Wright Cyclone R-1820-56 engines. A straight Vanilla lockheed. The only Mod was the longer tail cone. Reliable machine . Had the L-2 auto pilot and a RDR Bendix Radar. The interior had a Couch and Bar, Card Tables and opposing seats.
Joe Moore
Jack Thompson, e-mail, 14.05.2008 02:50
Grand Old BIRD......Enjoyed flying it for many years. I really loved it......Sorry theres mot many left and you don't hear too much about them.............Jack Thompson
