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Buffalo Airport Departure Crash Near Lake Milton, Ohio (N1000F)

Lake Milton, United States of AmericaFlight

On September 4, 1962, a Lockheed 18 LodeStar (registration N1000F) operated by Ashland Oil & Refining Company was involved in an aviation accident near Lake Milton, United States of America in flight. 13 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A malfunction of the electric elevator trim tab unit which resulted in aircraft uncontrollability and subsequent structural failure of the wing. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) accident report collection at the National Transportation LibraryUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft departed Buffalo Airport and crashed near Lake Milton, Ohio about an hour later after losing control. All 13 occupants were killed. The probable cause was an electric elevator trim tab malfunction.

Incident Overview An aircraft took off from Buffalo Airport and received clearance to climb to 8,000 feet. Approximately one hour into the flight, the airplane went out of control, entered a dive, and crashed near Lake Milton, Ohio. ## Outcome The crew was unable to transmit a distress call. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all 13 occupants were killed. ## Probable Cause The official investigation determined that the accident was caused by a malfunction of the electric elevator trim tab unit. This malfunction resulted in aircraft uncontrollability and subsequent structural failure of the wing.

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