Crash of a Douglas C-53-DO Skytrooper in Lanzhou: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1942
Operator:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lanzhou - Lanzhou
MSN:
4953
YOM:
1942
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to Lanzhou following a supply mission to Chinese troops based in east China. On approach at night, the airplane crashed, killing all four crew members. At the time of the accident, the airport was unlit because of a power outage.

Crash of a Martin B-26B-1 Marauder at McDill AFB: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-17673
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
McDill - McDill
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed on approach to McDill AFB following a training flight. All six crew members were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt William Earl Kyle,
1st Lt William Peter Malasky,
Pfc Charles E. Jacot,
Pvt Harold W. Keebaugh,
Pvt Edmund Rohr,
Pvt Richard B. Ruggeri.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster I at RAF Woodhall Spa: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
W4239
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Woodhall Spa - Woodhall Spa
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The airplane was performing a local training flight at RAF Woodhall Spa. While in the circuit, control was lost and the airplane crashed near the airfield. Two crew members were killed, four were injured and one escaped unhurt.
Crew:
Sgt W. Macleod, pilot,
Sgt Donald Francis, air gunner, †
Sgt Ronald George Matthams, †
Sgt K. W. Dykes,
Sgt T. Starkie,
P/O D. Rodger,
Sgt W. F. Guy.
Probable cause:
The accident was attributed to the outer port propeller coming out of coarse pitch and overspeeding.

Crash of a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator II in Gibraltar: 14 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
AL516
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Luqa - Gibraltar
MSN:
014
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
34
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane departed Luqa on a flight to England with an intermediate stop in Gibraltar. On board were various crew of RCAF, RAF and RAAF as well as few civilians including military wives and two children. Upon arrival at Gibraltar-North Front Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. It is believed that the airplane overshot the runway so the captain decided to go around when the aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea. Fourteen people, including eight civilians (among them two children) were killed and 26 other people were rescued, among them few were injured.
Crew:
W/O Rupert Henry Davey,
F/O Edwin Herbert Glazebrook,
P/O John William Williams,
F/Sgt Charles Edward Mutch,
F/Lt Erik Lawson Hetherington,
Sgt David William James Spencer.
Passengers killed:
Mr. Edward James Rowe,
Mrs Hannah Eunice Rowe,
Mrs Elizabeth Pricilla Sheldon,
Mrs Mabel Hucklebridge,
Mrs Isabella Josephine Aston,
Mr Simon Aston,
Mrs Edna Patricia Chase,
Mr Thomas Chase.
Passengers who survived:
W/Cdr A. H. Donaldson,
W/O Gordon Henry Taylor Farquharson,
F/Lt Rae Walton,
F/Lt Arthur Ford Roscoe,
F/Sgt D. A. Bye,
F/Sgt A. W. Varey,
F/Sgt E. L. Mahar,
F/Sgt I. Watson,
F/Sgt J. McCulloch,
F/Sgt L. G. Pow,
P/O G. W. R. Frampton,
P/O E. J. Sanders,
P/O George Frederick Beurling,
P/O F. D. Thomas,
P/O L. S. Reid,
P/O C. F. Bush,
F/O F. R. Johnson,
F/O A. S. Yates,
F/O C. A. M. Barbour,
F/O J. G. W. Farmer,
F/O J. A. H. Pinney,
Sgt E. J. Booker,
Sgt K. R. Mitchell,
Sgt F. W. Clewley,
Mrs D. W. Spencer,
Mrs J. Neighbours.

Crash of a Martin B-26B-2 Marauder in Dayton

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-17942
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing and damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator at Gardner AFB

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
41-11833
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
329
YOM:
1941
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed upon landing at Gardner AFB and was damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Short S.29 Stirling I at RAF Downham Market: 12 killed

Date & Time: Oct 29, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
BF386
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Downham Market - Downham Market
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a local test flight at RAF Downham Market. On final approach, after emerging from cloud in a steep turn, the airplane went out of control and crashed just southwest of the airbase. All 12 occupants were killed.
Crew:
F/Lt Harry Bishop Salter, pilot,
S/L Charles Gerald Fischer, pilot,
Sgt Walter Huson Hood, pilot,
F/Sgt Henry Guy Neville Fisher, pilot,
Sgt Alexander Reid McIntosh, flight engineer,
Sgt John Ling, observer,
Sgt Peter David Head, wireless operator,
Sgt Edward Albert Recchia, wireless operator,
Sgt Roland George Ponting, air gunner,
Sgt Charles Stewart Barrie, air gunner,
Sgt Arthur Beswick, air gunner,
Cpl Donald Scott Cleaver, air gunner.

Crash of a Grumman OA-14 Widgeon into Portage Lake

Date & Time: Oct 29, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
42-43460
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1203
YOM:
1942
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances into Portage Lake. Crew fate unknown.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator III in Ayr: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 29, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
FK230
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
129
YOM:
1941
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
On final approach to Ayr Airport, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane hit the roof of a house and crashed short of runway. Four crew members and the passenger were killed while three others crew were injured.
Crew:
Sgt Leonard Clarke Race, pilot, †
Sgt Sidney Burr, flight engineer, †
F/Sgt John Eric Armstrong, navigator, †
Sgt Francis Thomas George Hamlyn, wireless operator, †
P/O B. P. Liddington,
P/O W. J. McCafferey,
F/Sgt R. A. Denney.
Passenger:
Mrs. Sarah Cleary. †

Crash of a Bristol 152 Beaufort VII in Nowra

Date & Time: Oct 28, 1942 at 1640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A9-105
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nowra - Nowra
MSN:
105
YOM:
1942
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Nowra on an exercise, simulating an attack of HMAS Tamworth. En route, the pilot encountered technical issues with the right engine and decided to return to Nowra. On short final, the right propeller detached and the airplane went out of control and crashed, bursting into flames. The airplane was destroyed by fire and all four crew members escaped with various injuries.
Crew:
P/O A. Y. Swanson, pilot,
Sgt J. M. Scott, navigator,
Sgt D. K. Leitzel, wireless operator,
Ac1 Broderick, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Failure of the starboard propeller that fell off.