Crash of a Cessna AT-17B Bobcat on Mt Tehachapi: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 25, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Cessna T-50 Bobcat (AT-8/AT-17/UC-78 & Crane)
Operator:
Registration:
42-38831
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Douglas - Bakersfield
MSN:
3040
YOM:
1942
Location:
Mt Tehachapi
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Douglas AAF, Arizona, on a flight to Bakersfield. Approaching the destination, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with snow and icing. In limited visibility, the airplane impacted the slope of Mt Tehachapi located 8 km southwest of Twin Lakes. The wreckage was found about 10 metres below the summit and all four occupants were killed. They were on their way to Bakersfield to visit their families for Christmas. Two others similar airplanes were following and made turns to get out of the weather and landed safely at destination.
Crew:
1st Lt Halbert Eugene Bing, pilot,
2nd Lt Edgar T. Harder, copilot,
S/Sgt Robert L. Jacks, crew chief.
Passenger:
Lt Col Charles Meezak Harootunian, Executive Officer of the Douglas AAF.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Cessna AT-17E Bobcat near San Diego: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 24, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Cessna T-50 Bobcat (AT-8/AT-17/UC-78 & Crane)
Operator:
Registration:
42-20
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
San Diego
California
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:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near San Diego, killing the entire crew. The wreckage was found few days later.

Crash of a Cessna AT-17C Bobcat in La Junta: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 23, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Cessna T-50 Bobcat (AT-8/AT-17/UC-78 & Crane)
Operator:
Registration:
42-13815
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
La Junta - La Junta
MSN:
2499
YOM:
1942
Location:
La Junta
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances at La Junta Airport and was destroyed. A crew was killed.
Crew:
Avc Donald E. Spencer.

Crash of a Cessna AT-17 Bobcat in Dalhart

Date & Time: Dec 23, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Cessna T-50 Bobcat (AT-8/AT-17/UC-78 & Crane)
Operator:
Registration:
42-281
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Dalhart
Texas
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:
The airplane crashed on landing at Dalhart Airport and was damaged beyond repair. There were no fatalities.

Crash of a Cessna AT-17B Bobcat near Pecos

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Cessna T-50 Bobcat (AT-8/AT-17/UC-78 & Crane)
Operator:
Registration:
42-38849
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
3058
YOM:
1942
Location:
Pecos
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to abandon the airplane that crashed 7 km north of Pecos and was destroyed. All four crew members parachuted to safety.

Crash of a Cessna AT-17 Bobcat near Pylant Field: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Cessna T-50 Bobcat (AT-8/AT-17/UC-78 & Crane)
Operator:
Registration:
42-129
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Pylant Field - Pylant Field
Location:
Pylant Field (Sunnyslope)
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane crashed for unknown reasons 1,5 km northeast of Pylant Field. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Avc Frederick Fieldback,
Avc Grady L. Davidson.

Crash of a Cessna AT-17B Bobcat near Artesia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Cessna T-50 Bobcat (AT-8/AT-17/UC-78 & Crane)
Operator:
Registration:
42-38745
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
MSN:
2954
YOM:
1942
Location:
Artesia
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane suffered a structural failure in flight and crashed in a desert area located 13 km northeast of Artesia. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Avc William P. O'Dell,
Avc Leslie G. Peterson.

Crash of a Cessna C-78 Bobcat in Pleasant Valley

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Cessna T-50 Bobcat (AT-8/AT-17/UC-78 & Crane)
Operator:
Registration:
42-58237
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
3728
YOM:
1942
Location:
Pleasant Valley
New York
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:
While cruising in poor weather conditions, the airplane ran out of fuel. The crew bailed out and parachuted to safety. Out of control, the airplane crashed in Pleasant Valley and was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Cessna AT-17 Bobcat in Roswell

Date & Time: Nov 23, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Cessna T-50 Bobcat (AT-8/AT-17/UC-78 & Crane)
Operator:
Registration:
42-390
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Roswell
New Mexico
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:
Suffered an accident at Roswell Airport. There were no fatalities.

Crash of a Cessna AT-17 Bobcat in Lubbock

Date & Time: Nov 20, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Cessna T-50 Bobcat (AT-8/AT-17/UC-78 & Crane)
Operator:
Registration:
42-38801
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
3010
YOM:
1942
Location:
Lubbock
Texas
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:
Suffered an accident at Lubbock Airport and was damaged beyond repair. There were no fatalities.
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