Crash of a North American B-25J-22-NC Mitchell near Pendotiba: 7 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1947 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
5067
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro - Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
108-32772
Location:
Pendotiba
Rio de Janeiro
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training sortie from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport. While flying at low altitude in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in a huge explosion in a wooded area located near Pendotiba, east of Rio de Janeiro. All seven crew members were killed.

Crash of a North American TB-25J-32-NC Mitchell near Kelso: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1947 at 0230 LT
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
44-31316
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
McChord - Hamilton
MSN:
108-37391
Location:
Kelso
Washington
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft left McChord AFB at 0212LT bound for Hamilton AFB located in Novato, California. About fifteen minutes into the flight, the left engine caught fire and smoke spread into the cabin. Two crew members bailed out when the left wing broke off. Out of control, the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a pasture located 15 miles east of Kelso. Both crew who bailed out were able to walk away and to find help while both pilots were killed in the crash.
Probable cause:
Fire on left engine.

Crash of a North American TB-25J-25-NC Mitchell in Springfield: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1946
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
44-30066
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
108-33341
Location:
Springfield
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
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:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
44-30047
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Los Angeles - Los Angeles
MSN:
136-34372
Location:
Madera
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
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:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
A47-19
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Indonesia
All Indonesia
Country:
Indonesia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
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:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
A47-37
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Balikpapan – Biak – Pitu
Location:
Biak
Special Region of Papua
Country:
Indonesia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
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:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
44-31401
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Las Vegas – Yuma
MSN:
108-37476
Location:
Yucca
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
222
Captain / Total hours on type:
184.00
Aircraft flight hours:
84
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:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-30577
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Bedford – La Guardia
MSN:
87-8742
Location:
New York
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
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
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
FW212
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Tienen
Flemish Brabant
Country:
Belgium
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
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
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
FR165
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Tienen
Flemish Brabant
Country:
Belgium
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
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.
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