Date & Time:
Nov 5, 1942 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-15569
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Prestwick – Reykjavik – Bluie West One – Presque Isle
MSN:
7364
YOM:
1942
Country:
Greenland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
5
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
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.
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.
