Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in RAF Barrow

Date & Time: May 6, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
K6291
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown, the aircraft swerved. A gear failed and the aircraft veered off runway before coming to rest. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator off Puttalam

Date & Time: May 6, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
FL911
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
MSN:
221
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the Gulf of Mannam, off Puttalam, following the detonation of an explosive device on board. Crew fate unknown.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-313 off West Palm Beach: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 1944 at 1026 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC21788
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Miami - Savannah
MSN:
2187
YOM:
1940
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew left Miami Airport bound for Savannah on behalf of the USAAF. After departure, the crew was allowed to climb to 3,000 feet along the east coast of Florida. In the same region was flying a USAAF Consolidated B-24D Liberator registered 41-11889 with a crew of four on board. The crew departed Homestead AFB in the morning for a training exercise. En route, both aircraft collided and crashed into the sea, less than one mile from each other. All eight occupants on board both aircraft were killed and the wreckage were found some 6 miles southeast of Lake Worth.
Probable cause:
Investigations determined that both aircraft were flying face to face at the altitude of 1,500 feet when the collision occurred. It appears that both crews did not realize the presence of each other because their attention was focused on cockpit duties and workload.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina into the Pacific Ocean: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
08431
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1365
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to a rescue mission following the recent 'accident' of a USN Consolidated Privateer. While landing onto the sea, the seaplane nosed over and came to rest. Three crew members were killed while five others were rescued. The exact circumstances of the accident remains unknown.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24E-1-DT Liberator in Merna: 10 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
41-28413
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Chicago – Denver
MSN:
5
Location:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
En route, while overflying Nebraska, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a canyon located some 15 miles southwest of Merna. All 10 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-5 in Winona: 19 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
17145
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Oakland – Winslow
MSN:
12335
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
On a flight from Oakland NAS, the crew was descending to Winslow Airport in light snow when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances some five miles south of Winona. Four passengers were injured while all 19 other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator in Reykjavik

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
FL922
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
245
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the take off run, the aircraft swung, veered off runway and collided with a truck. No casualties.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-35-CU Commando in Sookerating

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
42-3611
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
26744
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on take off for unknown reason. No casualties.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-25-CU Commando in Sookerating

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-24710
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
26631
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taxiing, the aircraft went out of control and came to rest. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair while there was no casualty. The exact circumstance of the occurrence remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-5-DK in RAF Membury: 14 killed

Date & Time: Apr 25, 1944 at 1905 LT
Operator:
Registration:
42-108842
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
12268
YOM:
1944
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from runway 35, the aircraft climbed to a height of 600-700 feet before turning towards the south. When he reached the south boundary of the airfield, the pilot made a 180 turn and reduced his altitude to 100 feet, flying over his squadron area. While making a turn to the right, the aircraft banked right, causing the right wing to hit trees. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a wooded area. Three occupants were seriously injured while all 11 other occupants were killed. Few hours later, all three survivors died from their injuries.
Crew (303rd TCS):
1st Lt Howard G. Winand, pilot,
2nd Lt Norman S. Woods, copilot,
2nd Lt. John D. Horgan, navigator,
S/Sgt Billie E. Green, engineer,
Sgt Jesse R. Black, radio operator.
Passengers:
Capt Joshua Levitsky,
2nd Lt Anthony G. Ciavettone,
2nd Lt Robert A. Matthews,
2nd Lt Hugo E. Nehlsen,
2nd Lt Robert F. Allen,
S/Sgt Edward T. Roche Jr.,
S/Sgt Benjamin J. Bertino,
S/Sgt Henry G. Wulz,
S/Sgt Thomas P. O'Grady.
Probable cause:
No mechanical failure was reported on the aircraft and the accident was caused by a pilot error.