Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator in Ellington AFB

Date & Time: May 3, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
41-1103
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
43
YOM:
1941
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following unknown technical problems, the crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing in a field located near the Ellington AFB. While there were no casualties, the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Unknown technical problems.

Crash of an Armstrong Whitworth AW.41 Albemarle in Sverdlovsk

Date & Time: May 1, 1943
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Moscow – Sverdlovsk – Novosibirsk
MSN:
P1595
YOM:
15
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
27
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff from Sverdlovsk-Koltsovo Airport, while climbing, the left engine failed. The pilot completed an emergency landing in a swampy area near the airport. While all five crew members were uninjured, the aircraft was later struck of charge as no spare parts were available.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine after takeoff.

Crash of a Douglas C-49D in Grande Rivière: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 1, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-7717
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Losey - Willer
MSN:
4142
YOM:
1941
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Losey AFB (Porto Rico) to Willer AFB, Trinidad. While approaching its destination, the aircraft hit a mountain located five miles south of Grand Rivière and was destroyed. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I in RAF Swinderby

Date & Time: May 1, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L7468
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to RAF Swinderby, an engine caught fire and exploded. The aircraft stalled and crashed in flames in an open field short of runway. All seven crew were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine fire.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-1 into the Tontouta Bay: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
05055
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4655
YOM:
1942
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the Tontouta Bay. At least one crew member was killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Chabua AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
41-38578
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4459
YOM:
1942
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Chabua AFB, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. Two crew members were killed while four others were injured.

Crash of a Lockheed C-60A-1-LO LodeStar in Evansville: 10 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1943 at 2326 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
42-55864
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cleveland – Monroe
MSN:
18-2254
YOM:
1942
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on its way from Cleveland, Ohio, to Monroe, Louisiana. En route, due to weather deterioration, the crew decided to divert to Evansville-Dress Airport. During the final approach completed by night and marginal weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft crashed few miles short of runway threshold and was destroyed by impact forces. All ten occupants were killed.
Crew:
Cpt Paul D. Jones,
Cpt William V. Litvin,
1st Lt George F. Dennison,
1st Lt Carlton B. Overton Jr.,
2nd Lt Howard D. Baer,
2nd Lt John W. Kerrigan,
2nd Lt Charles W. McLaughlin,
2nd Lt Micharl W. Schaffer,
S/Sgt James P. Taylor,
S/Sgt Arthur A. Vandoli.
Probable cause:
The crew adopted a wrong approach configuration and was flying at a too low and unsafe altitude when the accident occurred.