Zone

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-5-CO Liberator near Kelvin: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1942 at 1400 LT
Operator:
Registration:
41-23821
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Davis-Monthan - Davis-Monthan
MSN:
616
YOM:
1942
Location:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Davis-Monthan AFB on a training exercise with a crew of seven on board. While cruising at an altitude of 9,000 feet, the crew encountered severe turbulence, causing a structural failure of the horizontal stabilizer. The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed near Kelvin. All seven occupants were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt Robert S. Adams Jr.,pilot,
2nd Lt Arthur C. Eidson, copilot,
Sgt James H. Akins,flight engineer,
S/Sgt Francis D. Santmyer, radio operator,
Sgt Armand H. Peltier, air gunner,
Pvt Milton L. Keinholz, air gunner,
Pvt Edward Zientarski, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Structural failure of the horizontal stabilizer following severe turbulence in flight.