Zone

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DK in Harrington: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 5, 1947
Registration:
NC54451
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
New York – Raleigh
MSN:
13873
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Enroute from New York to Raleigh, the crew contacted ATC and requested to divert to the nearest airport after the right engine lost power. The crew was rerouted to Harrington. On final approach, the aircraft was not properly aligned with the runway centreline and the captain decided to go around. The aircraft flew over the airport at low height and then hit tree tops before crashing in a wooded area. Two crew members were injured while the third occupant was killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that fuel lines and the carburetor on the right engine were contaminated with water, causing the engine to malfunction.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24J-150-CO Liberator in Duerne: 7 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1944 at 0100 LT
Operator:
Registration:
44-40172
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Harrington - Harrington
MSN:
4108
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew left RAF Harrington on August 14 on a supply mission to the French Resistance in the region of Lyon. While approaching the dropping zone called 'Saphir', the aircraft was too low and hit a hill. Seven crew members were killed while the operator was seriously injured.
Crew (856th BG):
Richard Norton, pilot, †
Connie Walker, pilot, †
Lloyd Anderson, navigator, †
Benjamin Rosen, bomb aimer, †
James Husbands, air gunner, †
William Moncy, radio operator, †
Wayman Skadden, air gunner, †
John W. Gillikin, operator.