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Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL Skytrain in Dawson Farm: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
41-38608
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Burtonwood – Grove – Le Culot
MSN:
4636
YOM:
1942
Location:
Bosley
Cheshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew was flying to Le Culot Airbase, Belgium, with supplies on board. The aircraft was scheduled to make a stop at RAF Grove, Oxfordshire. Some 30 minutes after its departure from RAF Burtonwood, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and decided to return to his departure point. In low visibility (30 to 40 yards), the aircraft hit a tree and crashed in flames in an open field. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and six occupants were killed. The captain was the only survivor.
Crew (33rd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron):
Maj Theodore A. Rogers, pilot,
1st Lt John E. Barnby, copilot,
Sgt William E. Davis,
Charles P. Ingram.
Passenger:
Lt Col Richard L. Cardozo,
Lt Col Holmes L. Payne,
Maj Cecil R. Steele.
Source & photos:
http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/peakdistrict/peakdistrict41-38608.htm

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL near Ironton: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1944 at 2220 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-16066
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Malden – Marion
MSN:
20532
YOM:
1944
Location:
Ironton
Missouri
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While cruising by night over Missouri, the crew did not realize his altitude was too low. The aircraft hit a ridge and crashed in a mountainous region located 5,6 miles south of Ironton. All five occupants were killed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-5-CU Commando near Yazagyo: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
44-77300
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
32696
YOM:
1944
Location:
Yazagyo
Shan State
Country:
Myanmar
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances 40 km west of Yazagyo while on a cargo mission. All four crew members were killed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in Misamari

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
42-96650
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
30312
YOM:
1944
Location:
Misamari
Assam
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed shortly after take off from Misamari Airbase following an engine failure. Crew fate remains unknown.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-49J in Memphis: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1944 at 1009 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-49 (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-1976
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
6316
YOM:
1942
Location:
Memphis
Tennessee
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total hours on type:
9.00
Circumstances:
Just after lift off from runway 17, while in initial climb, the aircraft banked right, stalled and crashed on a storehouse. Three passengers were killed while all three other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The loss of control was caused by a failure of the right engine shortly after take off. It is also confirmed that the pilot had just nine flying hours on this type of aircraft and that he had never been officially checked.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Lawrenceville: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1944 at 0135 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
41-18393
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lawrenceville - Lawrenceville
MSN:
4431
YOM:
1942
Location:
Lawrenceville-George AAF
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
After completing a formation training mission with two other similar aircraft in the region of Lawrenceville-George AAF, the crew was returning to his base. On final approach by night, the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in flames in a wooded area. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Noorduyn UC-64A Norseman into The Channel: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Noorduyn Norseman
Operator:
Registration:
44-70285
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Twinwood Farm - Paris-Le Bourget
MSN:
550
YOM:
1944
Location:
The Channel
World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft was performing a special flight from the RAF Twinwood Farm, Bedfordshire, to Paris-Le Bourget, with two crew members and the famous American Musician and Director Glenn Miller who was flying to Paris to give a concert to the US, British and French soldiers based in the city of Paris recently released. En route, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into The Channel and no trace of it nor the crew was ever found. Rumors were relayed by British daily newspapers on the fact that the plane may have been shot down mistakenly by British gunfire, but this was never proven.
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