Crash of a Boeing 247D in San Luis Potosí: 12 killed

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1945 at 0950 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-DUY
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Mexico City – San Luis Potosí – Torréon – Nogales
MSN:
1723
YOM:
1933
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
While on approach to San Luis Potosí, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located few km from the airport. All 12 occupants were killed. It was said that the accident may have been caused by an engine failure but this was not confirmed by authorities.

Crash of a Boeing B-17G-65-DL Flying Fortress into the Tyrrhenian Sea: 13 killed

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1945 at 0930 LT
Operator:
Registration:
44-6873
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pomigliano – Port Liautey
MSN:
23096
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on its way to the US with Army personnel on board. About an hour after departure from Pomigliano Airbase, an engine failed, forcing the crew to ditch the aircraft into the Tyrrhenian Sea. On impact, the aircraft broke in two and sank in 30 seconds. Twelve hours later, twelve people were rescued while 13 others were killed. A body was recovered on the Italian coast over four months later, some 300 miles from the crash site.
Crew:
1st Lt Albert Lazar, pilot,
2nd Lt Joseph M. Johnson, copilot, †
F/O Robert M. Cashman, navigator,
S/Sgt Frank S. Peters, flight engineer,
S/Sgt Bernard C. Doherty, radio operator.
Passengers:
S/Sgt Leslie M. Caraway, †
S/Sgt Hayden N. Hale, †
S/Sgt Nathaniel Hendrix, †
Sgt Lloyd H. Ainsworth,
Sgt Eliga T. Eaton, †
Tec Ernest M. Dumoit,
Tec Woodrow W. Foster,
Tec Paul C. Hartzheim, †
Cpl Norbert J. Andrews, †
Tec Alfred H. Afflerbach, †
Tec Cecil E. Barnes,
Tec Fred P. Carpenter,
Pfc Jeff W. Busby,
Pfc Pedro G. Garcia, †
Pfc John J. Hardy, †
Pfc Howard W. Haskins,
Pvt Manuel V. Barrientez, †
Pvt Woodrow W. Boyles, †
S/Sgt Lewis Fraley,
Tec John L. Porter. †
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Canadian Vickers OA-10A Canso A near Grants: 7 killed

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1945
Operator:
Registration:
44-34096
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Hunter - Sacramento
MSN:
CV-607
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
An engine failed enroute, causing the seaplane to crash in a mountainous region located 25 miles southwest of Grants. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt William T. Bartlett,
Sgt Robert L. Crook,
1st Lt James J. Garland,
Sgt John M. Jackson
Sgt Irwin S. Marcus;
1st Lt Wilson H. Parker,
Sgt Harold L. Post.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-5-CU Commando near Lashio

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
42-101199
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
30654
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a supply mission, an engine caught fire. All four crew members decided to abandon the aircraft and bailed out. Out of control, the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed. All four crew members were rescued.
Probable cause:
Engine fire.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24H-15-CF Liberator in Tarskavaig: 14 killed

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1945 at 1245 LT
Operator:
Registration:
41-29369
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Valley – Keflavik
MSN:
468
YOM:
1943
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
The Liberator was one of many aircraft that following the end of the war in Europe was being used to take aircrews back to the United States. The aircraft were typically approaching the end of their useful lives but only had to make it across the Atlantic. The aircraft had taken off from RAF Valley on Anglesey bound for Meeks Field in Keflavik. When the aircraft nearing the southern end of the Isle of Skye, the port outer engine caught fire. It would appear that the fire could not be brought under control, as when the aircraft crossed the coast, the port wing outboard of the number one engine broke away. As the wing fell, it struck the tail section, causing it to separate from the aircraft before the plane dived into a hilltop and exploded. All 14 occupants were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt William H. Bell, pilot,
1st Lt Theodore E. Lundell, copilot,
1st Lt Albert L. Harmonay, navigator,
T/Sgt Svend E. Hansen, flight engineer,
S/Sgt Robert R. Bisbing, radio operator.
Passengers:
F/O Edward Grzesiek,
F/O George W. Baker,
F/O Stephen A. Fenwick,
F/O Marvin Fleak,
2nd Lt Arthur A. Vogel,
F/O Eldon E. Eads,
F/O Edward J. Ruszala,
F/O Wilbur L. Titus,
F/O Newton D. Stanley.
Source:
http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/scotland/scotland41-29369.htm
Probable cause:
Engine fire.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 Dakota III in Bhuj

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1945
Operator:
Registration:
KG539
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
13022
YOM:
1944
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Bhuj Airfield, the right engine failed. The captain decided to attempt an emergency landing in a desert area located 19 km northwest of the airport. The aircraft belly landed and skidded for several yards before coming to rest. While all four crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine.

Crash of a Supermarine Walrus off Sangatte

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L2284
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a maritime patrol flight over The Channel, the crew was forced to ditch the aircraft following a loss of power on one or both engines. The seaplane crashed five miles off Sangatte and sank. Both crew members were rescued.
Probable cause:
Loss of engine power.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-20-DK in Basal

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1945
Operator:
Registration:
KN249
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
15674/27119
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Basal Airfield, while climbing, an engine failed. The captain reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing. The aircraft eventually belly landed in a field and came to rest two miles northeast of the airstrip. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of an Avro 685 York I in RAF Holmsley South

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MW176
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
MW176
YOM:
1945
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to RAF Holmsley South, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field 1,5 mile short of runway. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Two engines failed on approach due to fuel mismanagement.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 Dakota IV near Bangalhalia: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1945
Operator:
Registration:
KN562
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
16430/33178
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Enroute, an engine failed, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing when the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located near Bangalhalia, some 42 km east of Chittagong. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (117th Squadron):
S/Ldr Richard Neville Rowson, pilot,
AC1 Cyril Abel,
W/O Granville Mundon Eason,
F/O Bernard Barker Stansfield,
F/Sgt Augustus Arthur Shallow.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.