Zone

Crash of a Douglas C-53D-DO Skytrooper in Malcolm: 13 killed

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
42-68801
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Des Moines - Alliance
MSN:
11728
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
13
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a flight from Des Moines, Iowa, to the air base of Alliance, Nebraska. En route, it went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a prairie located in Malcolm, northwest of Lincoln. All 13 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Pvt Chester T. Beczynski,
Cpl Edward A. Bloom,
Sgt Robert D. Hager Jr.,
Pfc Joseph T. Jurczyk,
Sgt Frank P. Krejci,
Cpl Arthur R. Markham,
S/Sgt Walker H. McCartney,
Pfc Robert A. McClymonds,
1st Lt James S. Mills,
Pvt George Ralich,
2nd Lt Edgar D. Rogers,
Pfc Sam Ross,
Pfc Howard E. Wiegand.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined but the assumption that the aircraft may have been hit by lightning while he was flying through a low pressure area is not ruled out.