Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-80-CO Liberator near Patterson Field

Date & Time: Jun 7, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
42-40615
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1692
YOM:
1943
Location:
Patterson Field (Meeks Field)
Southern Peninsula (Suðurnes)
Country:
Iceland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Suffered an engine failure and crashed on approach to Patterson Field. There were no fatalities.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Boeing B-17F-25-DL Flying Fortress near Grindavik

Date & Time: Apr 17, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Registration:
42-3128
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Bangor - Patterson Field
MSN:
8064
YOM:
1943
Location:
Grindavik
Southern Peninsula (Suðurnes)
Country:
Iceland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Bangor, ME, on a flight to England with an intermediate stop at Patterson Field (Meeks Field) near Keflavik. En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to heavy snow falls. In darkness, the crew got lost and after a flight of 14 hours, the airplane ran out of fuel, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane crash landed in a field located north of Grindavik and was damaged beyond repair. All crew members were rescued.
Probable cause:
Fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina near Patterson Field: 9 killed

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
04402
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Patterson Field - Patterson Field
MSN:
408
YOM:
1941
Location:
Patterson Field (Meeks Field)
Southern Peninsula (Suðurnes)
Country:
Iceland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The seaplane was engaged in an anti-submarine sweep operation and was supposed to assist a convoy of vessels en route to England. About 15 minutes into the flight, the crew encountered a heavy snow storm when the airplane crashed in a snow covered field located near Patterson Field, bursting into flames. The airplane was totally destroyed and all nine crew members were killed.
Crew (VP-84):
Lt Harvey H. Luce, pilot,
Lt(jg) Donald A. Helms, copilot,
Ap1c Wilfred A. Burri, copilot,
Ens Glenn S. Nelson, navigator,
Amm1c Willard P. Kantz,
Rm1c Chester A. Eichelberger,
Amm3c James L. Bryan,
Rm3c Brack W. Goode,
Amm3c William G. Hammond.
Probable cause:
Evidence indicates that the pilot encountered violent turbulence and trying to clear of the storm on instruments, lost altitude until he crashed. Upon being asked before takeoff what he intended to do about the snow squall which was plainly visible from the airdrome in the direction of his flight, Lt. Luce replied 'I will fly through it'.
Subscribe to Patterson Field (Meeks Field)