4 fatalities

Crew Members Bail Out Before Aircraft Crash Near Jackson, Tennessee (49-0192)

United States of AmericaFlight

On June 4, 1951, a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar (registration 49-0192) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near United States of America in flight. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control in heavy turbulences and rain falls. 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

While cruising in heavy rain, the aircraft encountered turbulence and dove. Three crew members bailed out before the crash; four others were killed. Official cause: loss of control in heavy turbulence and rain.

Incident Overview

According to the official investigation, the aircraft was cruising in heavy rain falls when it encountered turbulences and entered a dive. Three crew members were able to bail out before the aircraft crashed in a field located 15 miles southwest of Jackson, Tennessee. The three occupants who bailed out were reported as unarmed. Four other crew members were killed in the crash, including one civilian.

Casualties

The fatalities were identified as Robert T. Helt, Captain Kenneth W. Christenson, and 1st Lieutenant Stanley L. Michelson. One civilian was also among the deceased. The total number of crew members on board was not specified in the source.

Probable Cause

The official findings state the probable cause as loss of control in heavy turbulences and rain falls.