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4 fatalities

Resort Airlines Flight 79096 Crash in Miami (N79096)

Miami, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On August 4, 1952, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration N79096) operated by Private United States of America was involved in an aviation accident near Miami, United States of America during landing or approach. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The Board found the probable cause was failure of the elevator control system in flight, resulting in loss of control during landing. This failure resulted from poor workmanship and inadequate inspection during overhaul and modification. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A Resort Airlines aircraft crashed in Miami after the pilot reported a broken elevator control linkage. The aircraft was destroyed, and all four occupants were killed.

Flight Details and Pre-Crash Events On August 3, the aircraft departed Burbank on a nonstop ferry flight to San Antonio, Texas, piloted by Douglas T. Dell, Chief Pilot of Resort Airlines. The flight arrived at 2345 without incident. The pilot reported two minor discrepancies: the hydraulic system cycled every minute and 20 seconds, and the left engine dropped 100 RPM on the left magneto. Slick Airways' maintenance crew corrected these issues in San Antonio. On August 4 at 1653, the aircraft departed for Miami, Florida, on a VFR flight plan to cruise at 10,000 feet. The crew consisted of Captain Robert E. Smith and Copilot John N. Goodman, with two non-revenue passengers aboard. The cabin had no passenger seats, which were to be installed in Miami before the aircraft entered service. The cockpit was equipped for a crew of three, and one safety belt was installed for a cabin occupant, though no approved type seat was provided. Flight logs indicated the aircraft reached Cross City, Florida, the last checkpoint before Miami, with an estimated arrival time of 2324. The logs noted “EXCESSIVE PLAY ON ELE” under difficulties, signed by both the captain and copilot.

Probable cause

The Board found the probable cause was failure of the elevator control system in flight, resulting in loss of control during landing. This failure resulted from poor workmanship and inadequate inspection during overhaul and modification.

Related events

Same operator

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