Crash of a Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress on Mt Keahiakahoe: 10 killed
Date & Time:
Apr 6, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
41-2443
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kaneohe Bay NAS - Kaneohe Bay NAS
MSN:
2254
YOM:
1941
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Kaneohe Bay NAS at night on a maritime patrol mission, looking for a Japanese submarine that was reportedly refueling the flying boats that dropped bombs on Mount Tantalus on 3 March 1942. While returning to base at night with the load of bombs on board, the crew encountered poor visibility due to bad weather conditions. Approaching Kaneohe Bay NAS, the airplane impacted the slope of Mt Keahiakahoe and was destroyed. All 10 crew members were killed.
Crew:
1st LT Ward Cox Jr., pilot,
1st Lt Charles Oran Allan Jr., copilot,
2nd Lt James W. Bushee, bombardier,
S/Sgt Luther Lee Perry Jr.,
M/Sgt Jesse L. Schneider,
S/Sgt Mathias E. Donart,
S/Sgt Edward L. Hakes
S/Sgt Wilbert Lee Gravitt,
Cpl John Francis Morris,
Cpl John E. Muckey.
Crew:
1st LT Ward Cox Jr., pilot,
1st Lt Charles Oran Allan Jr., copilot,
2nd Lt James W. Bushee, bombardier,
S/Sgt Luther Lee Perry Jr.,
M/Sgt Jesse L. Schneider,
S/Sgt Mathias E. Donart,
S/Sgt Edward L. Hakes
S/Sgt Wilbert Lee Gravitt,
Cpl John Francis Morris,
Cpl John E. Muckey.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.
