Military | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from runway 27 in Oakland Airport, while climbing, left engine failed. Right away, the pilot feathered the propeller and started a right turn when the aircraft stalled and crashed onto a house near the airport. All eight occupants were killed while nobody on the ground was injured.

Probable cause:

According to officials, the failure of the left engine was likely caused by the ruptured of a fuel line.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-20-CU in Sookerating

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

41-24676

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

26597

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

Crashed on landing for unknown reason. No casualties.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura off Cape Queiros: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1944 at 1445 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed PV-1 Ventura

Operator:

Registration:

NZ4520

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Guadalcanal - Luganville

MSN:

5533

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

While approaching Vanuatu in heavy rain falls, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea off Cape Queiros. On site, no survivor was found.
Crew:
Flight Lieutenant Peter Wood,
Pilot Officer Francis Baird,
Flight Sergeant Robert Carter,
Sergeant Thomas Murray,
Flight Sergeant Brian Vesty,
Corporal Edward Ayrey,
Leading Aircraftman Raymond Goff.

Probable cause:

According to officials, an engine was on fire on approach when crew lost control of the aircraft in poor weather conditions.

Crash of a Boeing B-17F-35-BO Flying Fortress in Dalhart: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1944 at 0200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Operator:

Registration:

42-5144

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Dalhart - Dalhart

MSN:

3683

Location:

Texas

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed on a night takeoff from Dalhart Airport, Texas. Five crew were killed while five others were injured.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster III in Klazienaveen: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1944 at 1838 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 683 Lancaster

Operator:

Registration:

DV287

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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Site:

Location:

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Circumstances:

Crew was involved in a bombing mission. While overflying The Netherlands, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter and crashed in a field in Klazienaveen. A crew was seriously injured while all 8 other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Shot down by the pilot of a German fighter.

Crash of a Junkers W.34hau in Langenlebarn: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Junkers W.34

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

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Circumstances:

The pilot Heinrich Schaber was killed in this accident that occurred in unknown circumstances.

Crash of an Avro AT-20 Anson in Oklahoma City: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

43-8197

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

8345

Location:

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Oklahoma City-Will Rogers Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed. A pilot was killed while the second occupant was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

The crew started the takeoff procedure with the elevator locked.

Crash of a Douglas C-53D-DO Skytrooper in Ossoms Hill

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

42-68728

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

11655

YOM:

1943

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

En route, a structural failure forced the crew to reduce his altitude and attempting an emergency landing in an open field. On final, aircraft hit three small rocky wall before coming to rest in a prairie. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all 9 occupants escaped unhurt.

Probable cause:

Unknown structural failure in flight.