Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I in RAF Silloth: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
T9322
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Silloth - Silloth
MSN:
414-2357
YOM:
1941
Location:
Silloth AFB
Cumbria
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On final approach to RAF Silloth, while completing a training exercise, the twin engine aircraft crashed in flames short of runway. All four occupants were killed.
Crew (1st OTU):
Sgt Cyril Ring,
Sgt Douglas Whitham Sanderson,
Sgt F. C. Zurbrigg,
W/O J. L. G. Belanger.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator in Alamogordo: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1943 at 0100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
41-24036
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
831
Location:
Alamogordo
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
While conducting a night training mission at low altitude, the captain snap the automatic pilot system when the aircraft nosed down and crashed in a huge explosion 3 miles west of Alamogordo. It is understood that a recovery was impossible due to an insufficient distance with the ground. All ten crew members were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator III in RAF Thorney Island

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
LV346
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Thorney Island - Thorney Island
MSN:
48
YOM:
1941
Location:
Thorney Island AFB
West Sussex
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to RAF Thorney Island, one (maybe two) engine lost power. The aircraft stalled and crashed short of runway. While all three crew members were slightly injured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew (86th Squadron):
Sgt John Murray,
P/O Ronald Harwood,
P/O Alfred W. Dungate.
Probable cause:
Loss of power on one or two engine on final approach.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson V off RAF Silloth: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
AM863
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Silloth - Silloth
MSN:
414-2945
YOM:
1941
Location:
Silloth AFB
Cumbria
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While on a training sortie from RAF Silloth, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the Solway Firth, few miles off shore. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O E. A. van den Bogaert,
F/O F. Schut,
Cpl B. Corporaal,
LAC A. F. Post.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A-197 in Oakland

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
NC16090
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Oakland - Oakland
MSN:
1929
YOM:
1937
Location:
Oakland
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was conducting a training exercise on behalf of the USAAF. While flying in the vicinity of the Oakland Municipal Airport, the aircraft caught fire for unknown reason. The crew attempted to make an emergency landing but the aircraft crashed in flames and was destroyed by fire. Both occupants were injured.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Bermuda: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
2367
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Hamilton
All Bermuda
Country:
Bermuda
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
Crashed into the sea off Bermuda in unknown circumstances while performing gunnery practice. All eight crew members were killed.

Crash of a Blackburn B-26 Botha I off Bagillt

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Blackburn B-26 Botha
Operator:
Registration:
L6237
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Bagillt
Flintshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During a training mission, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. The aircraft crashed into the Dee River, off Bagillt, and was lost. Both pilots were found a day later, injured by an overnight in cold water.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson III in Yarmouth: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
BW447
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
414-6126
YOM:
1941
Location:
Yarmouth
Nova Scotia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While on a training flight on behalf of the 113th Reconnaissance Squadron, the crew encountered engine problems and the captain attempted to divert to Yarmouth Airport. On approach, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames few km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All five crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Leslie Edmund Thomas, pilot,
P/O Donald Leslie Hudson, pilot,
P/O John Thomas Mangan, pilot,
Sgt Harold Ernest White,
F/O Aubrey Maxwell Tingle.
Probable cause:
Unknown engine technical problem.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator in Donnellsville: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
41-11587
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
83
YOM:
1941
Location:
Donnellsville
Ohio
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
En route, the four-engine aircraft exploded in mid-air, disintegrated and crashed in a field located 2 miles west of Donnellsville. All four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The mid-air disintegration was caused by a structural failure.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I off RAF Silloth: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 4, 1943 at 1028 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
N7308
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Silloth - Silloth
MSN:
414-1704
YOM:
1940
Location:
Silloth AFB
Cumbria
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a training exercise including single engine practice. En route, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the Solway Firth, few hundred yards off shore. All three crew members were killed.
Crew (1st OTU):
Sgt D. J. Wearne, pilot,
Sgt Leo Francis Ryan, navigator,
P/O R. D. Hall.
Source: Alan Storr Compilation
Probable cause:
A Report into the accident, the Wg Cdr RAF Silloth stated : “ I commenced giving Wearne a check dual on Hudson N7308 previous to him flying solo. The behaviour of the aircraft was normal in every way. After about one hours flying I authorised Wearne to carry out various solo practices including single engine flying. I am quite satisfied that this pilot was quite competent to carry out the practices detailed. The pupil was a good average pilot who had been flying quite well that morning. I consider that the faulty handling of the engine controls referred to by the Investigating Officer caused the Pilot to pay too much attention to the engines, and not enough to the flying of the aircraft. with the result that the pilot stalled the aircraft and ‘spun in’. The Air Cdre Group Commander stated “ I do not agree with the findings of the Investigating Officer, as there is no evidence to justify the assumption that the cause of the accident was ‘due to the faulty handling of the engine controls.’ In my opinion the accident was caused by engine failure but the reason for the failure must remain a mystery.”
Source:
http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RC09125_022--1-.pdf
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