Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-1-CF in Wheeler AFB: 12 killed

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1945 at 0920 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
42-63765
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Calibration
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Wheeler - Wheeler
MSN:
14
Location:
Wheeler AFB
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The crew departed Wheeler AFB at 0836LT on a local calibration mission. At that time, weather conditions were marginal with a ceiling at 2,000 feet and light rain. While flying around the airbase, the aircraft christened 'Evelyn' went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion in Schofield Barracks, about a mile northwest of the airfield. All 12 crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Abraham H. Albert,
Sgt Elmo L. Engman,
1st Lt John Franco,
Cpt William D. Frostic,
S/Sgt William G. Gilliland,
Sgt James P. Hinchsliff,
1st Lt Kenneth C. Kinne,
Sgt Robert E. Krueger,
S/Sgt Stephen P. Medovich,
S/Sgt Hubert P. Miller,
1st Lt David A. Moyer,
1st Lt Russell E. Reeves Jr.

Crash of a Saro A.36 Lerwick in Faslane: 7 killed

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Saro A.36 Lerwick
Operator:
Registration:
L7248
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Calibration
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Helensburgh - Helensburgh
Location:
Faslane
Argyll
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Helensburgh, while climbing, the right engine failed. The crew was unable to maintain a safe height on just one engine and the aircraft hit a hillside near Faslane, north of Helensburgh. All seven occupants, engaged in a calibration test flight, were killed.
Crew:
F/Lt John Collison Alexander, pilot,
P/O Charles Henry Mills, pilot and observer,
LAC William Sidney Emilio Gianella, air gunner,
LAC William Desmond John McLaughlin, radio operator,
AC2 Peter Beattie Hunter,
AC1 Raymond Theodor Moorcroft Bullocke,
Passenger:
Mr Wilfred Harry Such, civilian instrument repairer.
Source:
http://www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=582:seven-died-in-faslane-seaplane-crash&catid=88:military&Itemid=462
Probable cause:
Eyewitnesses saw the starboard wing dip before the crash. The two engines, which were recovered from the wreckage and sent to Bristol for examination, were found to be fully serviceable. So it was assumed that flying control problems had been experienced. The Court of Inquiry into the accident concluded that Lerwicks were unstable, particularly on landing approach. It was further noted by the Air Investigating Board, together with the MAEE commanding officer, that the handling characteristics of the Lerwick had never been satisfactory when flying with one engine feathered.
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