Crash of a Martin B-26A-1 Marauder off Benghazi: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
FK367
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
7422
YOM:
1941
Location:
Benghazi-Benina
Benghazi (بنغازي)
Country:
Libya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a maritime patrol flight over the Mediterranean Sea when the aircraft was shot down by mistake by the pilot of a RAF Spitfire and crashed into the sea. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by friendly fire.

Crash of a Martin B-26A Marauder in Shallufa AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 23, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
FK122
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
7357
YOM:
1941
Location:
Shallufa AFB
Suez
Country:
Egypt
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While flying in the vicinity of Shallufa AFB, the aircraft went out of control and crashed. All five crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The loss of control was caused by the failure of the tail in flight.

Crash of a Martin B-26A-1 Marauder in Barksdale AFB

Date & Time: Nov 13, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
41-7435
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Barksdale - Barksdale
MSN:
7435
YOM:
1941
Location:
Barksdale AFB
Louisiana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Barksdale AFB, an undercarriage failed. The aircraft slid on runway for several yards before coming to rest. While all six occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Gear failure on landing.

Crash of a Martin B-26A-1 Marauder in Saint Louis

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
41-7404
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
7404
YOM:
1941
Location:
Saint Louis
Missouri
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on take off from Saint Louis-Lambert Airport and destroyed by fire. Crew fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Martin B-26B Marauder off Bathurst Island: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
41-17593
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
YOM:
1940
Location:
Bathurst Island
Northern Territory
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a bombing mission over Dili, Timor. On target, the aircraft was hit by enemy fire, causing an engine to fail. The aircraft was able to return to Australia but while approaching Bathurst Island, the captain decided to ditch the aircraft off Cape Helvetius. The aircraft was lost and all seven crew members took refuge in a dinghy. A crew member died from his injuries while six others were rescued 17 hours later.
Crew (22nd BG):
Cpt Charles I. Hitchcock, pilot,
Sgt John A. Simms, copilot,
Sgt Joseph G. Schank, flight engineer,
1st Lt Albert J. Pilkington,
S/Sgt Pershing A. Arbogast,
S/Sgt Samuel F. Miller, bombardier,
Sgt Glenn A. Campbelll, air gunner. †
Probable cause:
Hit by enemy fire.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder near Sogeri

Date & Time: Nov 2, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1493
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Port Moresby - Port Moresby
MSN:
1493
YOM:
1940
Location:
Sogeri
Central
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to his base in Port Moresby following a reconnaissance mission to locate Japanese ships off Lae. On the return trip, the captain was forced to attempt an emergency landing due to fuel exhaustion. The twin engine aircraft crash landed near the Laloki River, in the region of Sogeri, and was damaged beyond repair. All eight occupants were unhurt and rescued.
Probable cause:
Fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Martin B-26A-1 Marauder in Sarasota

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
41-7478
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
7478
YOM:
1941
Location:
Sarasota
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For undetermined reasons, the aircraft overshot and crashed. There was no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Martin B-26A-1 Marauder off Tampa

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
41-7473
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
7473
YOM:
1941
Location:
Tampa
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the Tampa Bay, two miles north of the Gandy bridge. Crew fate unknown.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder off Kiska Island: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1478
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Adak - Adak
MSN:
1478
YOM:
1940
Location:
Kiska Island
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Adak AFB to attack two Japanese destroyers cruising some 30 miles off Kiska Island. While approaching the target, the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire and crashed into the sea, killing all eight crew members.
Crew (28th BG):
2nd Lt Jack Pebworth, pilot,
Dean Mendenhall, copilot,
Sgt Morris W. Hancock,
Sgt Dick Tryon 4.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder off Kiska Island: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1387
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Adak - Adak
MSN:
1387
YOM:
1940
Location:
Kiska Island
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Adak AFB to attack two Japanese destroyers cruising some 30 miles off Kiska Island. While approaching the target, the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire and crashed into the sea, killing all eight crew members. Crew from the 28th Bombing Group.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.
Subscribe to Martin B-26 Marauder