Military

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Singapore - London

Location:

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Shortly after takeoff from Singapore, while climbing, the seaplane hit a hill in Tuas and was destroyed. All 22 occupants were killed, among them 17 wounded soldiers flying back home.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-25-DK Dakota C.4 in Akyab

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

KN306

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Consolidated B-24 Liberator

MSN:

15812/32560

YOM:

1945

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During the takeoff roll, the aircraft went out of control, skidded, veered off runway, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames into a ditch. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator in London-Gatwick

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

FL966

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Consolidated LB-30 Liberator

MSN:

150

YOM:

1941

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The nose gear collapsed on landing. The aircraft skidded on runway and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Probable cause:

Nose gear collapse.

Crash of a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator VI in Brussels: 31 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1945 at 2045 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

KL595

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

London – Brussels – New Delhi

Location:

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Circumstances:

Following a long takeoff roll, the aircraft rotated but failed to gain sufficient height. At the end of the runway, the four engine aircraft hit a mound, nosed down and crashed in a huge explosion. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All 31 occupants were killed.
Crew (206th Squadron):
F/Lt Peter Green, pilot,
F/O John Dolphin Freckleton, pilot,
F/Sgt Dennis George Nightall, flight engineer,
F/O Bernard Connor, navigator,
F/O Harry Thomas Walter Alderton, wireless operator and air gunner.
Passengers:
S/Ldr Richard Charles Rivaz,
Dvr Rowland George Ashton,
Dvr William George Bayfeild,
Dvr George Henry Bowyer,
Dvr Leslie John Brannon,
Cpl Frederick John Edwin Cooper,
Cpt Philip Brian Crosby,
Dvr Sydney Crouch,
Pvt Cecil Henry Ellis,
Pvt Eric Joshua Ellis,
Pvt James Etheridge,
Pvt Cyril James Evans,
Pvt Richard Evans,
Pvt Bernard Fannon,
Pvt Thomas Fleming,
Pvt Thomas Henry Forsyth,
Dvr Albert Garner,
Dvr George Gibson,
Dvr Albert Edward Hubble,
Dvr William James Keeley,
Dvr Kenneth Mann,
Dvr Derick Moore,
Dvr Charles Mark,
Cpl Reginald Walter Pluck,
Dvr Reginald Pritchard,
Pvt Geoffrey Jack Withers.

Probable cause:

The rotation was attempted at an insufficient speed and the aircraft was in stall condition after liftoff.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-25-DK in the Krkonoše Mountains: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

476473

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Silesian Voivodeship (Śląskie)

MSN:

16057/32805

YOM:

Location:

Krkonoše Mountains

Country:

Poland

Region:

Europe

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Circumstances:

En route, the aircraft hit a mountain slope in the Krkonoše Mountain range (Giants Mountains), at the border between Poland and Czech Republic. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-20-DK into the Pacific Ocean: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

43-49754

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Yontan – Laoag

MSN:

15570/27015

YOM:

1944

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Circumstances:

The airplane was lost without trace into the Pacific Ocean while operating a routine flight from Yontan AFB, Okinawa, to Laoag, Philippines.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-70-DL near Bellever: 7 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

42-100640

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Villacoublay – Exeter

MSN:

19103

YOM:

1943

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While on approach to Exeter Airport, the crew was forced to divert to RAF Western Zoyland due to poor weather conditions. Few minutes later, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit stone wall on a hillside and crashed. All seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-10-DK Dakota C.3 in RAF Down Ampney

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

KG433

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

MSN:

12468

YOM:

1944

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

Following an engine failure in flight, the crew decided to divert to RAF Down Ampney to complete an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and was written off while all four crew members were unhurt.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-20-CU near Boana: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 10, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

44-78490

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site: