North American B-25 Mitchell

Operator:

Registration:

44-30066

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

108-33341

Location:

Springfield

Virginia

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Crashed in foggy conditions near Springfield, killing all five crew members.

Crash of a North American CB-25J Mitchell off Malibu: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1946

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

44-30047

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Los Angeles - Los Angeles

MSN:

136-34372

Location:

Madera

California

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Circumstances:

Following several modifications, the aircraft was completing a test flight for a CAA certification and was carrying a NAA research engineer, one pilot and a CAA inspector. After its departure from Los Angeles-Mine Field, the twin engine aircraft flew to the northwest when an engine caught fire in flight. Out of control, the aircraft dove into the sea and crashed few miles off Malibu. All three occupants were killed.
Crew:
Joseph E. Barton, pilot,
Albon C. Cowles Jr., research engineer.
Passenger:
Mr. McCutcheon, CAA inspector.
Source: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_bombers/b25_20.html

Probable cause:

Engine fire in flight.

Crash of a North American B-25D Mitchell in Borneo: 7 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1945

Type of aircraft:

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Registration:

A47-19

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Crashed whilst escorting a Catalina to an area near the southern tip of Borneo. As the Catalina landed and sent a party ashore to talk with the natives, the captain circled the area then left but flew too low and did not pullout of a shallow dive in time . The aircraft struck a coconut tree sending it crashing into the ground. It was only later that the Catalina crew were advised the Mitchell had crashed and proceeded to the area where the Mitchell had gone down and discovered two survivors. One of them died from his injuries few hours later.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
F/Lt Lawrence A. Kirk, pilot, †
F/O L. Bishop, †
F/O P. A. Taylor, †
W/O C. R. M. Ricketts, †
F/Sgt F. J. Stolweather, †
Cpl R. O. Byrne, †
LAC M. S. White, †
F/Sgt Booth.
Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Crash of a North American B-25D Mitchell in Biak: 8 killed

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

A47-37

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Balikpapan – Biak – Pitu

Location:

Biak

Special Region of Papua

Country:

Indonesia

Region:

Asia

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Thew aircraft failed to return from flight to Biak. There was no communication from the aircraft and it was not located despite a 3 day intensive search. As Dean Norman notes "After the successful landings at Balikpapan, Borneo by the Allied forces Sepinggang airfield was soon ready to take Allied aircraft and was also to become the new home to 2nd Squadron. 2 Squadron's move from Hughes airstrip began on this day when a flight of six Mitchell's, led by F/Lt Neil Sharpe, departed for Sepinggang airfield and were to fly via Biak and Pitu. During the approach to the New Guinea coast on the first leg the formation encountered low cloud and F/Lt Sharpe descended to 3,000 feet. He also noted that F/Lt White turn away, to the right before disappearing behind cloud. F/Lt Sharpe then dropped to 1,000 feet and radioed the formation that he was going to fly below the cloud and upon reaching the coast would orbit and wait for the remaining aircraft. Arriving over the coast F/Lt Sharpe realized that two aircraft, which had broken formation were no longer with them. Arriving at Mokmer, Biak one of the missing aircraft soon landed but A47-37 was not seen again. Despite a search for the aircraft and crew it was many years later that the wreckage would be located in Dutch New Guinea (PNG). The war ended the very next day".
Crew (2nd Squadron):
F/Lt Edward M. White,
F/O A. K. Morrell,
F/Sgt B. M. O'Brien,
F/Sgt R. A. MacGregor,
Cpl W. J. C. Maxwell,
LAC I. S. Coleman,
LAC B. A. Marshall,
LAC V. A. Morgan.
Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Crash of a North American TB-25J Mitchell near Yucca: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1945 at 1815 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

44-31401

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Las Vegas – Yuma

MSN:

108-37476

Location:

Yucca

Arizona

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Captain / Total flying hours:

222

Captain / Total hours on type:

184.00

Aircraft flight hours:

Circumstances:

While flying at an altitude of 3,500 feet in poor weather conditions, the pilot informed ATC about his position some 20 miles south of Kingman, Arizona. Shortly later, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain and was totally destroyed on impact. All five crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

The aircraft was so disintegrated by impact forces that it was impossible to determine if any technical failure may occur prior to the accident. Nevertheless, investigations were conducted by the staff of the Yuma Airbase and it was determined that the crew was flying on visual mode despite the fact that the visibility was reduced to due poor weather conditions. As this was not appropriate considering weather conditions (thunderstorm activity), the crew appears to be lost and was not following the assigned track. In such conditions, it would be better that the crew follow the route along the Colorado River.

Crash of a North American B-25D-20 Mitchell in New York: 14 killed

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1945 at 0949 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

41-30577

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Site:

City

Schedule:

Bedford – La Guardia

MSN:

87-8742

Location:

New York

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The crew departed Bedford on a routine flight to New York-La Guardia Airport. While approaching New York, weather conditions worsened and the visibility was poor due to fog. Despite the fact that the crew was advised by ATC to modify his route, the captain continued over New York at a too low altitude when the aircraft hit the 79th Floor of the Empire State Building. A fire erupted and the aircraft disintegrated in the building, killing all three crew members and 11 people in the building. 25 other people were injured and lots of debris fell onto the 34th Street. The aircraft was christened 'Old John Feather Merchant'.

Probable cause:

Crew error.

Crash of a North American B-25 Mitchell in Tienen: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1945

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Registration:

FW212

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In flight, the B-25 Mitchell registered FR165 collided with another MLD B-25 Mitchell registered FW212 and carrying a crew of four. Both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located in Tienen. All four crew from FW212 were killed while on FR165, two crewmen were killed and two others were seriously injured.

Crash of a North American B-25 Mitchell in Tienen: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1945

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Registration:

FR165

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Crash of a North American B-25 Mitchell in Châtel-Montagne: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1945

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