Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Lockheed C-60 LodeStar in South Plains AFB: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1944 at 2341 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-60 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
42-55938
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
South Plains AFB - South Plains AFB
MSN:
2375
Location:
South Plains AFB (Lubbock)
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a glider towing exercise. Shortly after take off, while climbing to a height of 80 feet, the left engine failed. The glider's pilot immediately released the cable when the LodeStar banked left and crashed near the runway. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-35-DL in La Guardia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1944 at 1453 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-23834
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
La Guardia - La Guardia
MSN:
9696
YOM:
1943
Location:
New York-LaGuardia
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft was parked at New York-La Guardia Airport when it was stolen by two American Airlines' mechanics. The take off was completed in a nose up attitude and the crew then performed two low passes above the airport. Few minutes later, he attempted to land but the approach was too low. The aircraft hit a light pole located along a highway, stalled and crashed in flames near the runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire, and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Both technicians were unauthorized to perform this flight and were not in possession of any pilot licence.

Crash of a Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan in Midland

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan
Operator:
Registration:
41-27495
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Midland - Midland
MSN:
1340
YOM:
1942
Location:
Midland
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Belly landed for unknown reason. No casualties.

Crash of Lockheed 12A Electra Junior in McKelligon Canyon

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 12 Electra Junior
Operator:
Registration:
NC17374
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1218
Location:
El Paso
Texas
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 in McKelligon Canyon, in the suburb of El Paso. Occupant fate unknown.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL in Stuart: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-15181
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Fort Wayne - Morrison AFB
MSN:
19647
YOM:
1944
Location:
Stuart-Witham Field
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Crew was performing a flight from Fort Wayne, Indiana, to the Morrison AFB located near West Palm Beach. While cruising in poor weather conditions in the region of Stuart, the aircraft went out of control and dove into the ground, killing all five occupants.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-5 in Olathe: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
12430
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
9527
Location:
Olathe
Kansas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in Olathe, killing both crew members.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24E-25-DT Liberator near Saint Augustine: 10 killed

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
41-28530
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
122/15645
Location:
Saint Augustine
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a gunnery training mission. En route, while cruising, the engine number two caught fire. Shortly later, the aircraft exploded and crashed in a field located near Saint Augustine, some 30 miles southeast of Jacksonville. All ten occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine fire and explosion in flight caused by a mechanical failure.

Crash of a Martin A-30A-30-MA Baltimore off Dry Tortugas

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1944 at 1558 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin 187 Baltimore
Operator:
Registration:
43-8890
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Wilmington - Raleigh - Jacksonville - Nassau
MSN:
7747
YOM:
1943
Location:
Dry Tortugas
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1100
Captain / Total hours on type:
60.00
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Wilmington-New Castle County Airport on a delivery flight to Nassau. The crew made two fuel stops in Raleigh and Jacksonville. En route to Nassau, the crew encountered restricted visibility with scattered to broken cumulus with base at 2,000 feet and top at 6,000 feet. The crew deviated from the prescribed route and due to a fuel exhaustion, was forced to ditch the airplane off Dry Tortugas, west of Key West. The crew evacuated the airplane that sank within a minute. The crew was rescued about 15 minutes later by the ship SS Paulsboro. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was still registered 43-8890 and operated by the USAAF as it was supposed to be delivered to the Royal Air Force in Nassau and registered FW733.
Crew:
1st Lt Robert E. Allen, pilot,
Cpl Robert D. Arigoni.
Probable cause:
The aircraft was ditched by the crew due to a fuel exhaustion caused by a pilot error and poor judgment in navigation. At the time of the accident, the directional finding equipment was inoperative and the crew was flying under VMR mode.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-53D-DO in Maxton AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 28, 1944 at 2158 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-68800
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Maxton AFB - Maxton AFB
MSN:
11727
YOM:
1943
Location:
Maxton AFB
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Aircraft was engaged in a local training mission and was towing two gliders. Shortly after takeoff from runway 05, while climbing, the right engine failed. Right away, the crew dropped both gliders to return to the airport. But the Skytrooper stalled and crashed in a wooded area near the airport. Two crew were injured while the third occupant was killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine.

Crash of a Grumman OA-14 in Butler Lake

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Operator:
Registration:
42-38220
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1234
Location:
Lake Butler
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 on landing in Butler Lake. No casualties.
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