Crash of a Douglas C-39 near Coamo: 22 killed

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1942 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
38-524
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Juana Díaz-Losey Field – San Juan
MSN:
2081
YOM:
1939
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Circumstances:
While flying in a valley in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit a mountain shrouded in clouds. All 22 occupants were killed, among them three civilians. According to USAF, the aircraft hit the mountain slope sixty metres from the summit and the cloud base was around 1,200 metres. The twin engine aircraft was following a 150° heading and was flying at a cruising speed at the time of the accident.
Crew:
Francis H. Durant, pilot, 4.

Crash of a Douglas B-18A Bolo near Juana Díaz

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
37-598
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2598
YOM:
1937
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was forced to make an emergency landing for unknown reasons some five miles southwest of Juana Díaz-Losey Field. There were no injuries.
Crew:
William J. Simons.