Consolidated LB-30 Liberator

Operator:

Registration:

EW626

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Schedule:

Lajes – Lisbon

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Shortly after takeoff from Lajes Airbase, while in initial climb, the aircraft banked right, dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion. All 19 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated LB-32-3 Liberator II in Gander

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1943

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Registration:

AL512

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Gander

Newfoundland & Labrador

Country:

Canada

Region:

North America

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During the takeoff run, the airplane hit a snowdrift, causing an engine to catch fire. The takeoff procedure was abandoned and the airplane veered off runway and crashed. There were no casualties among the crew and the airplane was destroyed.

Crash of a Consolidated LB-32-2 Liberator I in Prestwick

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1943

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Registration:

AM258

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MSN:

167

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Crashed on take off while en route for a transatlantic flight. No casualties.

Crash of a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator II off Gibraltar: 16 killed

Date & Time: Jul 4, 1943 at 2307 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AL523

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Government

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Gibraltar - Hendon

MSN:

021

YOM:

1941

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The Captain Eduard Prchal, the only survivor, confirmed he received the green light from the tower and began the night take-off roll. He pulled the stick back and the aircraft started to climb. At an altitude of 150 feet, he pushed the controls of the aircraft forward to gain speed when he discovered he was unable to pull the stick back. The steering mechanism was jammed or locked. The aircraft then lost height rapidly. The Captain closed the four throttles and warned the others through the intercom "Attention, crash". The aircraft crashed into the sea 16 seconds after take off. The Captain was the only survivor as all 16 other occupants were killed, among them the Polish General and Prime Minister Władysław Sikorski, his daughter Zofia and his Chief of Staff, the Major General Tadeusz Klimecki. The crew was from the 511th Squadron.
Passengers:
Col Victor Cazalet,
Jan Gralewski,
Maj Gen Tadeusz Klimecki,
Adj Adam Kułakowski,
Zofia Leśniowska,
Walter Heathcote Lock,
Col Andrzej Marecki,
Adj Harry Pinder,
Lt Józef Ponikiewski,
Gen Władysław Sikorski
Brig John Percival Whiteley.

Probable cause:

A British Court of Inquiry convened on 7 July 1943 to investigate the crash, following the order by Air Marshal Sir John Slessor of 5 July 1943. On 25 July 1943 the Court concluded that the accident was caused by the "jamming of elevator controls" which led to the aircraft being uncontrollable after take-off. The report noted that "it has not been possible to determine how the jamming occurred" although it ruled out sabotage. Slessor was not satisfied with the report and on 28 July ordered the Court to continue its investigation to find out whether the controls were indeed jammed or not, and if they were, then for what reason. Despite further investigation the Court was unable to resolve Slessor's doubts. The Polish government refused to endorse this report because of the contradictions cited therein, and the lack of conclusive findings.

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

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AL591

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Prestwick – Gander

MSN:

YOM:

1941

Location:

Gander

Newfoundland & Labrador

Country:

Canada

Region:

North America

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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 LB-30 Liberator near Cadiz

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1942

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Operator:

Registration:

AL513

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Schedule:

Lyneham - Gibraltar

MSN:

011

YOM:

1941

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Approaching Cadiz, the airplane suffered an engine fire. The pilot reduced his altitude and made an emergency landing. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and all 11 crew members were rescued.
Crew:
F/Sgt J. L. O'Sullivan,
F/Sgt B. Clifton,
Sgt W. N. Judd,
Sgt W. M. Davey,
Sgt V. E. Whitehall,
Sgt G. A. McGregor,
Sgt C. H. Pearson,
Sgt A. Webber,
Cpl K. Burton,
Cpl A. Agar,
Ac1 R. Walker.

Probable cause:

Engine fire in flight.

Crash of a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator in Seymour

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1942

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Registration:

AL623

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Schedule:

Talara - Seymour Island

MSN:

121

YOM:

1941

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For unknown reasons, the airplane crashed upon landing at Seymour Island Airfield and was damaged beyond repair. There were no fatalities.

Crash of a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator at RAF Lyneham: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1942

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Registration:

AL595

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Schedule:

Prestwick - Lyneham

MSN:

YOM:

1941

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The airplane departed Prestwick on a flight to RAF Lyneham following technical modifications. On final approach to RAF Lyneham at night, the airplane descended too low, collided with trees and crashed in a field, bursting into flames. All five crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/Lt George John Le Mar, pilot
F/O Samuel Alexander Bruce Gordon, copilot,
F/O John Henry Fuller, navigator,
F/O Deiniol Davies, wireless operator,
Sgt Gilbert Henry Gregg, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Pilot error.

Crash of a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator II in Gibraltar: 14 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AL516

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