Crash of a Douglas C-49H in Freetown

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-49 (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-38254
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1993
YOM:
1937
Location:
Freetown-Hastings
Western Area
Country:
Sierra Leone
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on take off from Freetown-Hastings Airport for unknown reason. Crew fate unknown.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Geraldton

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
2409
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Geraldton
Western Australia
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The seaplane landed hard off Geraldton, took water and was later brought to the shore where it struck rocks and was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was heavy loaded (some 30,000 pounds). All seven crew members were unhurt.
Probable cause:
Heavy landing.

Crash of a Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress in Hendricks AFB

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Registration:
41-2510
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2321
YOM:
1941
Location:
Hendricks AFB (Sebring)
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing in unknown circumstances. No casualties.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IVA off Kupang: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
A16-137
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Darwin – Kupang
MSN:
414-6066
YOM:
1941
Location:
Kupang
East Nusa Tenggara
Country:
Indonesia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft left Darwin Airport at 0315 bound for Kupang. While approaching its destination, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea. All four occupants were killed.
Crew (13th Squadron):
P/O Albert James Verdon Lockley,
P/O Patrick Goulston Taylor,
Sgt Kenneth Arthur Orchard,
Sgt Donald Thomas Thomson.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina near Livermore: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
7266
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Alameda - Norfolk
Location:
Livermore
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The seaplane left Alameda NAS on a cross country flight to Norfolk-Chambers NAS, Virginia. Few minutes after take off, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain near Livermore. Six crew members were killed while the seventh was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina near Livermore: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
7269
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Alameda - Norfolk
Location:
Livermore
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The seaplane left Alameda NAS on a cross country flight to Norfolk-Chambers NAS, Virginia. Few minutes after take off, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located 11 km east of Livermore. All eight crew members were killed and the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire.

Ground accident of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in RAF Hendon

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1942
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Operator:
Registration:
W6456
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
6342
YOM:
1936
Location:
Hendon
Middlesex
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taxiing for departure, the aircraft's left tyre burst. The aircraft went out of control, veered off taxiway and came to rest. While all six occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was no repaired.
Probable cause:
Tyre burst.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide at RAF Finningley: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1942
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Operator:
Registration:
Z7263
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
6293
YOM:
1935
Location:
Finningley AFB (Doncaster)
South Yorkshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from RAF Finningley (Doncaster Airport), while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area. Three passengers were killed while both other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Crew (4th Squadron):
S/L Edward Claude Inglefield,
P/O Charles John Roger Boyce,
AC2 William Giblin.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder in Williamstown

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1401
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1401
YOM:
1940
Location:
Williamstown
New South Wales
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining runway, overrun, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. While all six crew members were slightly injured, the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 near Tebleshi: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 9, 1942 at 0900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Polikarpov P-5
Operator:
Registration:
41
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Moscow - Alehovshchina
MSN:
8
YOM:
1933
Location:
Tebleshi
Tver oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
1462
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Moscow-Myachkovo Airport at 0720LT on a flight to Alehovshchina, carrying one passenger and two crew members. Prior to departure, the pilot was instructed to return in case of poor weather conditions. After passing over Dmitrov, weather conditions deteriorated with drizzle, rain and fog. The pilot continued for about 10 minutes then decided to return but this was too late. Following a turn, the airplane lost altitude then contacted trees and crashed near the village of Tebleshi. The pilot was killed and both other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The decision of the pilot to continue into poor weather conditions and his failure to return in due time as instructed prior to takeoff from Moscow.
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