Date & Time:
Mar 13, 1942 at 1320 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Operator:
Registration:
AJ309
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Red Bluff - Medford
MSN:
4447
YOM:
1942
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
2
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
3
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Red Bluff Airfield on a ferry flight to Medford, Oregon. En route, weather conditions worsened and the crew encountered severe icing conditions. The pilot decided to return when the airplane lost height, entered an uncontrolled descent and eventually crashed on the southwest slope of Mt Hirz, east of Lakehead. Five crew members were killed and the copilot parachuted to safety.
Crew:
2nd Lt Joe K. Hanna, pilot,
1st Lt Robert M. Smith, copilot,
Pvt Boyd P. Lawhon, flight engineer.
Passengers:
A/C G, Martin,
Cpl C. D. Hazelton,
Sgt H. Morris.
Crew:
2nd Lt Joe K. Hanna, pilot,
1st Lt Robert M. Smith, copilot,
Pvt Boyd P. Lawhon, flight engineer.
Passengers:
A/C G, Martin,
Cpl C. D. Hazelton,
Sgt H. Morris.
Probable cause:
Icing.
