Greenland

After a USAAF Douglas C-53 Skytrooper registered 42-15569 with five men aboard was missing since November 5, the B-17 registered 42-5088 was diverted on its ferry flight from USA to the UK to join the search for the crew. During the search operation, it approached the approximate center of its search grid from seaward where it encountered a local low cloud ceiling. The airplane reversed course to go around the weather and headed in again, going northward into Køge Bay fjord to the west, and flew into a visual 'white-out' condition, which became an unseen three-sided trap. The pilot began to turn away to the left, causing the left wing tip to struck the unseen Ice Cap. The plane skidded for about 200 metres on the surface of the Køge Bay fjord's active glacier, broke apart at the aft bulkhead of the radio compartment, rear of the wings. The broken-off tail section was overhanging a large open crevasse, and another crevasse was in front of the plane. The plane was at about 4,000 feet elevation and 47 km northwest of Beach Head Station. All nine occupants survived the accident and were rescued.

The airplane was on a transit flight from Prestwick to Presque Isle with intermediate stops in Reykjavik and Bluie West One (Narsarsuaq). It departed Reykjavik Airport at 0834LT bound to the west. Due to weather conditions, the airplane was forced to land on the east coast of Greenland. At approximately 1300LT, Reykjavik received a signal from the crew of the C-53, reporting they were down. The crew gave, what they thought were the correct coordinates, and were instructed to pop flares at designated times. The flares were seen from three different stations. After an exhaustive search, the crew of the C-53 were declared dead after 30 days. It was determined that with no battery, rations or proper cold weather clothing, the crew could not survive past 30 days.
Crew:
Cpt Homer C. McDowell, pilot,
2nd Lt William L. Springer,
S/Sgt E. L. Monahan,
Pvt William W. Everett,
Pvt Thurman Johannessen.

Sincere thanks to Jennifer Lehr, project leader, historian and family member of one of the crew, for her contribution.

The airplane was on a ferry flight from USA to Europe. Approaching Bluie West One (Narsarsuaq), it crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea. All crew members were rescued.

The airplane was on a ferry flight from Labrador to England. Fog over Greenland prevented a landing and the crew decided to return to Labrador. Due to fuel exhaustion, the captain ditched the airplane in the Narsarsuaq Fjord, some 56 km off Narsarsuaq. All 12 occupants took refuge in dinghies and were later rescued. The airplane sank by 1,500 feet of water and was lost.

The airplane was supposed to be transferred from the US to England via Canada and Greenland. It departed Goose Bay Airport but due to fog over Greenland, the crew was unable to land. The crew decided to return to Goose Bay but due to fuel exhaustion, it was decided to attempt an emergency landing near the village of Aasiaat (old name Egedesminde). The airplane was damaged beyond repair and all occupants escaped uninjured.

Owned by the American Lt Colonel George R. Hutchinson, the seaplane was on its way from New York to London on a private and nonstop transatlantic flight with seven passengers and a crew of two on board. En route, the crew encountered snow falls and the aircraft was too heavy due to snow accumulation. The pilot attempted an emergency landing off the Greenland coast but after landing, the airplane struck an iceberg and was seriously damaged. Several distress calls were sent but the aircraft moved on rough seas. The aircraft was eventually localized by the crew of the British fishing trawler named 'Lord Talbot' on September 18, five days after the accident, some 40 miles southwest of Angmagssalik (Tasiilaq). All nine occupants were rescued and repatriated to Europe. Lt Colonel Hutchinson was travelling with his wife Blanche and his two girls, Kathryn (8) and Janet Lee (6). The aircraft was lost and abandoned as a wing was torn off.
Crew:
Lt Colonel George R. Hutchinson +1.
Passengers:
Blanche Hutchinson,
Kathryn Hutchinson,
Janet Lee Hutchinson,
Peter Redpath,
Joseph Ruff,
Gerald Altfilisch,
Norman Alley, American filmmaker.