Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

42-96263

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

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Circumstances:

The aircraft left RAF Boreham at 0505LT with several others airplanes on a mission to France (D-Day). While flying over the county of Kent in low visibility, the bomber collided with another Martin B-26 Marauder of the USAAF. Registered 42-96050, it was also carrying a crew of six. Following the collision, the first B-26 dove into the ground and crashed in an orchard, killing all six crew members. The second B-26 crashed at Corporation Road in Gillingham. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and six houses were destroyed as well. All six crew members and four people on the ground were killed.
Crew (394th BG):
Lt Claude Wallace Kline Jr,
Lt Emil F Ostrowski,
Sgt George S. Rogers,
Sgt Raymond F. Sablatura,
Sgt Joseph Amato.
Sgt James F. Bechtler.

Crash of a Martin B-26C-5-MO Marauder in Lincoln: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 26, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Operator:

Registration:

41-34776

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Location:

Lincoln

Nebraska

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Region:

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Circumstances:

Crashed on take off for unknown reason. Two crew members were killed while five others were injured.

Crash of Martin AT-23A Marauder near Craffe: 7 killed

Date & Time: May 25, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

42-95697

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Las Vegas - Las Vegas

Location:

Van Buren

Arkansas

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Region:

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Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a training mission from the Las Vegas Army Air Field. While cruising in stormy weather, the Martin AT-23A Marauder crashed in a mountainous area located near Craffe, some 15 miles northeast of Van Buren, Arkansas. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cpl Harry M. Covert,
Lt T. Getson,
2nd Lt William T. Pearson,
2nd Lt Curtis H. Myers,
2nd Lt George M. Stewart,
S/S Robert F. Thompson,
Sgt Raymond Mascio.

Crash of a Martin B-26C-40-MO Marauder in Del Rio: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1944 at 0930 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

41-35821

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Del Rio - Del Rio

Location:

Del Rio

Texas

Country:

Region:

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Captain / Total flying hours:

6500

Circumstances:

The crew (two pilots and one instructor) was involved in a training flight. While flying some 4 miles east of Del Rio-Laughlin Field, the twin engine aircraft collided with another Martin B-26 Marauder registered 41-35870. Both aircraft crashed and were destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire.
Source: http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=109108

Probable cause:

It is the opinion of this Board that both airplanes were flying a heading of approximately 80 degrees with airplane B behind and slightly above airplane A. Airplane B was flying faster than airplane A and overtook and collided with airplane A approximately four (4) miles east of Laughlin Field.
The collision was clearly seen by several individuals on this field. All witnesses agree both airplanes were flying contact but since the airplanes collided four to six miles from the various witnesses, there is no clear account of how the collision occurred. The instructor in airplane A had a total of 1,335 hours. The pilot of airplane B had a total of approximately 6,500 hours.
From the evidence found in the wreckage, airplane A exploded and burned while still in the air. Sections of both wings and empennage came off before the aircraft struck the ground. Aircraft B hit the ground relatively intact and was destroyed by fire. The crash was fatal to all personnel.
Any attempt to state what actually caused the accident would be conjecture.
Statement of Responsibility: none
Rocomendations: none

Crash of a Martin B-26A Marauder off Bône

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

FK111

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

7352

YOM:

1941

Location:

Annaba

Country:

Algeria

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

Shortly after take off, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea. Crew fate unknown.

Crash of a Martin B-26B Marauder near Newcastle: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Registration:

41-18150

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Toome - Toome

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Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a training exercise with other Marauder, and left that day the RAF Toome. En route, while cruising in low visibility due to mist, the aircraft hit the Mt Chimney Rock located south of Newcastle, County Down. The wreckage was found in the Spencer Valley, in the Mourne Mountains. All five crew members were killed.

Crash of a Martin B-26C Marauder near Falkville: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 9, 1944 at 1420 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

41-35142

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Location:

Falkville

Alabama

Country:

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Circumstances:

En route, while cruising in a stormy weather, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a field. All eight crew were killed. According to eye-witnesses, the accident occurred while the airplane was flying into adverse weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and turbulence.

Crash of a Martin B-26B-50-MA Marauder in Febvin-Palfart: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

42-95849

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Bombing

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Circumstances:

The bomber aircraft left RAF Matching Green for a bombing mission when it was hit by Flak while overflying Pas-de-Calais, France. The aircraft crashed in flames in an open field and was destroyed. All six crew members were killed.
Crew:
First Lieutenant Frank Bernzen Jr, pilot,
Second Lieutenant John D. Hill, copilot,
Second Lieutenant Thomas R. Dragonetti, navigator,
Technical Sergeant Thaddeus H. Grace, radio,
Staff Sergeant Gale F. Brown, engineer,
Staff Sergeant John F. La Plante, tail gunner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by Flak.

Crash of a Martin B-26B-50-MA Marauder in Theydon Mount: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1944

Type of aircraft: