6 fatalities

Six Killed as Army Aircraft Strikes Water Tower in Fog (58-1698)

Orinda, United States of AmericaFlight

On September 30, 1960, a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter (registration 58-1698) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Orinda, United States of America in flight. 6 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions, and the airplane struck a water tower. 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 single-engine aircraft carrying six US Army personnel struck a water tower while flying in fog near San Francisco, then crashed into a ravine. All occupants died.

The Flight

A single-engine aircraft was en route from Monterey, California, to Presidio-Crissy Field Air Force Base in San Francisco. On board were four US Army officers and two crew members, who were scheduled to participate in a football game. The aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 1,300 feet when the pilot encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions.

Accident

While flying through fog, the airplane struck a water tower located on the top of a hill. The collision caused the aircraft to lose control; it dove into the ground and crashed into a ravine. All six occupants were killed in the crash, including the commanding officer of the Fort Ord Training Center and his deputy.

Probable cause

The pilot encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions, and the airplane struck a water tower.