Crash of a Polikarpov SP in Maloyaroslavets: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L2595
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
12944
YOM:
1938
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane was shot down by enemy fire and crashed in Maloyaroslavets. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Cessna AT-17 Bobcat at Ellington AFB

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
42-23
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane suffered an engine failure at takeoff and crashed. There were no casualties among the crew.
Crew:
James M. Cook.
Probable cause:
Engine failure at takeoff.

Crash of a Douglas A-20B-DL Havoc of Barnegat Light: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
AL301
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Manchester - Manchester
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Both crew members were killed when the airplane crashed into the sea off Barnegat Light while on a flight from Grenier Field, Manchester.
Crew:
2nd Lt David A. Southard, pilot,
Pvt Jack C. Maxey.

Crash of a Douglas C-39 off Stuart: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
38-525
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dayton - Stuart
MSN:
2082
YOM:
1939
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton on a flight to Stuart-Witham Field, Florida. On approach, it entered a sudden squall near Port Sewall. In heavy rain falls and turbulences, the airplane lost a wing, caught fire and plunged into the Saint Lucie River. All seven occupants were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt John R. Evans, pilot,
1st Lt Harry E. Bullock Jr., copilot,
Sgt Ercel Stallard, flight engineer,
Cpl Clarence F. Ayers, radio operator.
Passengers:
2nd Lt Raymon D. Clements,
2md Lt Newton H. Simpson,
Sgt John A. Rutko.
Probable cause:
Wing failure in heavy turbulences.

Crash of a GVF PS-84 in Gryadki: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L3996
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While taking off from the Gryadki Airstrip, the airplane collided with a second GVF PS-84 registered CCCP-L3497 and crashed. Two crew members were killed, a third was injured and three others escaped unhurt. The airplane was damaged beyond repair while the second was repaired.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I Off Cox's Bazar

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L8448
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the airplane crashed into the sea off Cox's Bazar, south of Chittagong. Both crew members were injured and rescued.
Crew:
W/Cdr John Ker, pilot,
F/Lt Hem Chaudhury, pilot.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84A Dragon I in Wyndham

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1942 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A34-9
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Darwin - Wyndham - Perth
MSN:
6045
YOM:
1933
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Darwin on a special flight to Perth, carrying evacuees, and a stop was scheduled at Wyndham Airport. Upon landing at Wyndham Airfield, the airplane was attacked by a Japanese fighter. All six occupants evacuated the airplane and were slightly injured. The airplane continued on down the runway now ablaze from the strafing and came to a stop, bursting into flames.
Crew:
F/Lt Warwick, pilot.
Probable cause:
Attacked by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24A-CO Liberator off Broome: 20 killed

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1942 at 0923 LT
Operator:
Registration:
40-2374
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Broome – Kupang
MSN:
6
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
20
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Broome Airport, while climbing at a height of some 600 feet, the four engine airplane was shot down by a Japanese fighter and crashed into the Bay of Broome, 10 km offshore. Upon impact, the airplane broke in two, both wings separated and the fuselage sank within three minutes. Two passengers (Sgt Donoho and Sgt Beatty) were able to swim to shore and were rescued. Unfortunately, Sgt Beatty died the next day from injuries sustained. Thus Sgt Donoho was the only survivor. All passengers were US soldiers joining their base in Indonesia.
Crew:
Maj Edson Eugene Kester, pilot,
Cpt William Ragsdale Jr., copilot.
Passengers:
Sgt Melvin O. Donoho,
Sgt Willard J. Beatty,
Cpt Charles A. Stafford,
Keats Poad,
2nd Lt Richard L. Taylor,
S/Sgt Howard C. Cliff,
S/Sgt John M. Rex,
S/Sgt Elvin P. Westcott,
Sgt Samuel F. Foster,
Cpl Jack T. Taylor,
Pvt Richard G. Sheetz,
2nd Lt Howard K. Petschel,
Cpt Charles A. Stafford,
Cpt Harry W. Markey,
Pvt Joseph N. Gordon,
Pfc Nicholas D. Bunardzya,
Pvt Clarence B. Johnson,
S/Sgt Leo D. Steinmetz,
Cpl Hubert McDonald.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 near Oryol

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
69
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions. To leave the area, the pilot initiated a turn when the airplane stalled and crashed. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Yakovlev AIR-6 in Slavyansk: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-F128
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
7753
YOM:
1934
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane was carrying one pilot and one passenger, Lt Col Sherbakov who was en route to Barvenkovo. The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances. The passenger was killed and the pilot became PoW.