Zone
Hawaii

Crash of a Boeing B-17C Flying Fortress at Hickam AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Registration:
40-2074
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Hickam - Hickam
MSN:
2075
YOM:
1940
Location:
Hickam AFB
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On approach to Hickam AFB, the airplane was attacked by the pilot of a Japanese fighter. Bullets hit the aircraft and its cargo. Several explosions occurred, and upon touchdown, the bomber went out of control and veered off runway, coming to rest broken in two and bursting into flames. A crew member was killed and seven others were injured.
Probable cause:
Shot down. Bullets hit the cargo which was composed of magnesium that ignited and caused several explosions on final approach.

Ground accident of a Douglas B-18 Bolo at Hickam AFB

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Douglas B-18 Bolo
Operator:
Registration:
36-437
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
YOM:
1738
Location:
Hickam AFB
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1936
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane suffered an accident while taxiing at Hickam AFB, Honolulu. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas B-18 Bolo in Waimanu

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Douglas B-18 Bolo
Operator:
Registration:
36-446
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Hickam - Hickam
MSN:
1747
YOM:
1936
Location:
Waimanu
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Hickam AFB at 0700LT on a training exercise, carrying four crew members and two passengers. The goal of the mission was an inter-island navigation on instruments. While flying at an altitude of 10,000 feet, the airplane suffered a main bearing failure in the left engine. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed into the Kohala summit swamps west of Waimanu, in an isolated mountain valley at 3,500 feet. All six occupants suffered minor injuries and were rescued three days later. The aircraft was abandoned on site.
Crew:
Cpt Boyd Hubbard, Jr., pilot,
2nd Lt Francis R. Thompson, pilot,
S/Sgt Joseph S. Paulhamus, flight engineer,
Pvt William Cohn, radio operator.
Passengers:
Pvt Fred C. Seeger,
Pvt Robert R. Stevens.
Probable cause:
Failure of the main bearing in the left engine.
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