Crash of a Douglas C-47A-65-DL in Fort Pepperrell AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
42-100496
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Goose Bay – Fort Pepperrell
MSN:
18959
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight from Goose Bay to Fort Pepperrell AFB located in St John's, with a load of jeep spare parts on board. While on approach in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft was too low, hit tree tops and crashed in a dense wooded area. Two crew members were rescued while the pilot Lee D. Graham was killed.

Crash of a Douglas A-20C in Gander: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 27, 1943
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Gander - Gander
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
A few days prior to 27 October 1943, USAAF Major Allen and RCAF Flight Commander F/O Taylor discussed making an "air fighting practice flight" where they would spend an afternoon "chasing each other around for a while". The plan was that they would start their flights at a sufficient distance from each other that neither would have an advantage, then they would turn into each other as if to attack. It was agreed that in the case of head on attacks, they would break away to port. On 27 October 1943, F/O Taylor in an RCAF Hurricane and a crew of four including Major Allen in an A-20C (registration unknown) took off just before 1700 GMT and flew south west of the aerodrome. According to the testimony of F/O Taylor, when we turned in at approximately 3,000 yds. apart it placed us at a position head on to one another – I, slightly below the Boston; the Boston as diving and I as climbing through about 200 ft. As the distance between us decreased to about 300 yds. the Boston pulled up gradually and turned slightly to port while I turned slightly to port also; it was here I thought we had ample clearance. Then at about 100 yds. the Boston made a rapid and very decisive movement downwards, as if, in my opinion, he was either fixing his sights on me or had lost me for an instant. The upward movement, although begun, was never completed because it was at this instant that our wings collided. We were both turning slightly to port when this movement or manœuvre occurred. As the aircraft brushed right wings, the wing immediately broke off of the Hurricane and the aircraft went into a tight spin. The pilot abandoned the aircraft and parachuted to safety. The other aircraft dove into the ground and crashed, killing all four crew members.
Crew:
Maj Sobey F. Allen, pilot,
2nd Lt Jack K. Schaffner, bombardier,
Sgt Pless E. Moore Jr., radio operator,
Pvt George M. Haynes, gunner.
Source & photo: Lisa Daly
Probable cause:
The circumstances of the crash were listed as a "head on attack between Hurricane (RCAF) and A-20 (USAAF)" and the cause listed as a "mid-air collision due to error of judgement on the part of both pilots and insufficient planning". Both pilots were highly experienced, and no flying regulations had been violated in the activity, but the pilots did not have any previously agreed upon visual clues in case of interrupted radio contact. Had such visuals been agreed upon previous to the flight, the pilots would have had a better idea of what the other was going to do.

Crash of a Noorduyn UC-64A Norseman in Saint John's

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
42-5045
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
New York – Saint John’s
MSN:
77
YOM:
1941
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On touchdown, the single engine aircraft went out of control and came to rest on the runway edge. The pilot was slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. He was completing a mail flight from New York.

Crash of a Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso in Gander: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
9807
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Gander - Gander
MSN:
CV-241
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 15, while in initial climb, the seaplane went out of control and crashed in flames in the bush near the runway end. Six crew members were killed while the second engineer was seriously injured. The crew was engaged in an urgent operational duties, mainly convoy coverage.
Crew:
F/Lt Brian Anthony Casey, pilot,
F/Lt Joseph John Barsalou, pilot,
F/O James Rayson Wallace Cleeland, navigator,
P/O James Herbert Millar, wireless operator,
Wo2 Alexander Frederick Morrice, wireless operator,
Sgt John Benjamin Stallwood, 1st engineer,
Cpl Urbain Edmond Antoine Dube, 2nd engineer.
Source & photos:
http://www.planecrashgirl.ca/2016/07/13/rcaf-canso-9807/
Probable cause:
The report concludes that Canso 9807 crashed because it “stalled due to climbing at a critical angle in rough air”. The weight of the aircraft may have been a factor, as it was the second incident with a Canso under similar conditions. Therefore, it was recommended that the maximum weight of the aircraft be reduced to prevent further accidents.

Crash of a Consolidated LB-32-3 Liberator II near Gander: 19 killed

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
AL591
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Prestwick – Gander
MSN:
89
YOM:
1941
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Prestwick on a transatlantic flight to Gander. Descending to the destination, the crew was informed about the weather conditions with blizzard and icing. The crew of a second LB-30 registered AL529 successfully diverted to Sydney but the crew of AL591 preferred to continue to Gander with low fuel reserve. On final approach to runway 27, the pilot realized that the lights of runway 05-23 was ON so he initiated a go around procedure then proceeded on a circuit to the east. About 13 km east of the airport, while making a turn, two engines stopped simultaneously. Due to a loss of speed, the airplane stalled and crashed in a frozen field. Two passengers were found alive while 19 other occupants were killed.
Crew:
F A. Dugan, American civilian pilot, †
Sgt J. R. Elding, RAF pilot, †
G. P. M. Eves, British civilian pilot, †
T. R. Harmes, British civilian pilot, †
Sgt H. L. B. Lewis, RAF pilot, †
R. M. Lloyd, American civilian pilot, †
Sgt D. J. Owen, RAF pilot, †
Sgt G. P. Pollard, RAF pilot, †
J. Stagner, American civilian pilot, †
Sgt W. H. Kyle, RCAF navigator, †
P/O R. I. Scott, RCAF navigator, †
F. J. Brown, British civilian radio officer, †
J. D. Jones, British civilian radio officer, †
F. Scrafton, Canadian civilian radio officer, †
R. Wadsworth, British civilian radio officer, †
E. G. Longley, Canadian civilian flight engineer, †
J. B. Merriman, British civilian flight engineer, †
I. W. Wilmot, Canadian civilian flight engineer, †
Lt Col L. T. Grove, British Army, †
Cpt R. E. Parker Jr.,
P/O G. N. Abelson.
Probable cause:
Engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion. An excessive headwind component during the transatlantic flight increased the fuel consumption.

Crash of a Consolidated 28-5AMC Canso in Gander: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 7, 1943 at 0655 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9737
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Gander - Gander
Country:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Gander on an anti submarine sweep operation with a crew of seven on board. Shortly after takeoff, the crew encountered severe downdrafts. The airplane lost altitude then collided with trees and crashed in a wooded area located 5 km south of Gander Lake. Five crew members were killed and two others were injured.
Crew:
S/L Norville Everett Small, pilot, †
F/O Aubrey Maxwell Tingle, copilot, †
Sgt Harold Ernest White, flight engineer, †
Sgt W. H. Wilson, flight engineer,
P/O Donald Leslie Hudson, navigator, †
P/O John Thomas Mangan, wireless operator, †
F/Sgt J. E. V. Banning, wireless operator.
Probable cause:
The airplane was heavily loaded and throttle back to 30 inches boost probably caught in severe downdrafts before reaching sufficient height after takeoff to avoid colliding with trees. Lack of experience on type at night and faulty setting of altimeter were also reported.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman OA-9 Goose near Deer Lake: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
38-557
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1023
YOM:
1939
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in hilly terrain some 20 km northwest of Deer Lake. At least one crew member was killed.
Crew:
1st Lt Earl Eugene Jordan.

Crash of a Martin B-26B-2 Marauder near Saglek: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-17862
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Narsarsuaq - Goose Bay
Country:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Bluie West One (Narsarsuaq) Airfield on a flight to Goose Bay, returning to the US. Approaching the Canadian coast, weather conditions worsened and the crew decided to make an emergency landing near Saglek, Labrador. All seven crew members survived the accident. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination and after it was declared as missing, SAR operation were initiated but not trace of the airplane was found. The crew was eventually found on 9 April 1943, none of them survived the very low temperatures. It was later related that on 23 December, three crew members (Josephson, Janssen and Nolan) started south in a boat that was part of the aircraft emergency gear to find help but they were never seen again. The diary of the pilot shows the last entry in February 1943.
Crew:
Lt Grover C Hodge Jr., pilot,
2nd Lt Paul F. Janssen, copilot,
2nd Lt Emanuel J. Josephson, navigator,
T/Sgt Charles F. Nolan, radio operator,
Sgt Russell Weyrauch, air gunner,
Cpl James J. Mangini Jr., air gunner,
Cpl Frank J. Galm, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Emergency landing due to poor weather conditions.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson VI in Gander: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1942 at 0351 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FK690
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
414-7166
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
One minute after takeoff from Gander Airport, while climbing at night, the airplane stalled and crashed in a wooded area, killing all four crew members. The airplane was en route to England to be delivered to the Royal Air Force.
Crew:
P/O Ronald George Stanley Burrows, pilot,
Sgt Douglas Percy Charles Simmons, pilot,
P/O Graeme Hamilton Thomson, navigator,
Sgt Jack Eric Fazel, radio operator.
Photos via http://www.planecrashgirl.ca/2016/05/18/rafhudson-fk690/
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DB-7B Boston V in Conche

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1942 at 1850 LT
Operator:
Registration:
BZ277
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane was on a transit flight from Gander to UK. En route, the crew became disoriented and because of fuel shortage, decided to return to Gander. The airplane crash landed near Conche, about 400 metres from the shore. All three crew members were rescued.
Crew:
Cpt Morrow +2.