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416th Bombardment Group (L) Aircraft Accident Report 45-8-12-513 August 12, 1944, Saturday
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Aircraft Accident Report 45-8-12-513 August 12, 1944, Saturday
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(Note: Depending on Internet speed, this report may take some time to download and display.) (AAR images from the AFHRA - Air Force Historical Research Agency.) Aircraft Serial Number (Type): 43-9227 (Douglas A-20G-25-DO Havoc) 9th AF; 416th Bomb Gp; 670th Bomb Sq Mission # 125; Box: II; Flight: 3; Position: 5; A/C Fuselage Code: F6-F Reason: Crash Landing (CRL) Damage: Completely destroyed (5) Point Of Departure: AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England Location: 2 miles East of AAF Station 170
Notes: Cause of accident: Engine failure at low altitude resulting from lack of gasoline. Description: As Lt. J.R. Sparling approached the field, he called in for an emergency landing because of a shortage of gas. He crash landed, however before he could make the field, washing out the plane and cutting commnuications lines off the base. One of his gunners, St. L.C. Shaw, was severely injured when he was thrown from the plane. The other gunner, Staff Sergeant M.E. Brayn, although painfully injured, crawled out of the burning plane and carried St. Shaw clear of the wreckage and administered first aid. Lt. Sparling was also injured slightly. (416th BG History 1944) General Orders No. 160, 20 August 1944, Purple Heart is awarded to: 670th Bombardment Squadron (L), Joseph R. Sparling Jr., O-800606, Second Lieutenant, Air Corps, United States Army. For wounds received as a result of enemy action on 12 August 1944, while serving as Pilot of an A-20 airplane. Entered military service from Tampa, Florida. (416th BG Purple Heart Awards (PDF)) See Mission # 125 for additional details |