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416th Bombardment Group (L) Aircraft Accident Report 45-8-30-523 August 30, 1944, Wednesday
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Aircraft Accident Report 45-8-30-523 August 30, 1944, Wednesday
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(Note: Depending on Internet speed, this report may take some time to download and display.) (AAR images from AAIR - Aviation Archaeological Investigation and Research.) Aircraft Serial Number (Type): 43-9450 (Douglas A-20J-5-DO Havoc) 9th AF; 416th Bomb Gp; 669th Bomb Sq Reason: Killed, Mid Air Collision (KMAC) Damage: Completely destroyed (5) Point Of Departure: AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England Location: Thorny Toll, 4 1/2 miles south of Guyhirm
Notes: Nature of Accident: Mid-air collision. Collision in full flight with other aircraft. Cause of Accident: Pilot error. Error in judgement. Description: Two training accidents which marred our records for the month resulted in the death of two of our newer Pilots. ... Five days later, on the 30th, First Lieutenant Edward L. Miller was leading a two-ship routine training, navigational-formation flight. Second Lieutenant John D. Smith was on his right wing. Apparently trying to cross under Lt. Milller's plane, Lt. Smith hit Lt. Miller's plane, cutting the tail off at the rear turret. Lt. Miller immediately jettisoned his hatch and parachuted to safety. Lt. Smith's plane, however, went into a flat spin and crashed. Lt. Smith was killed. Both Lt. Haney and Lt. Smith were interred in the Cambridge American Military Cemetery, Cambridge, England. (416th BG History 1944) |