AAR 45-10-15-533

416th Bombardment Group (L)

Aircraft Accident Report 45-10-15-533

October 15, 1944, Sunday

Return to Table of Contents Return to MACR-AAR Index

Report Summary

Click to view Report
(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): 41-39196 (Douglas A-26B-15-DL Invader)

9th AF; 416th Bomb Gp; 670th Bomb Sq

Reason: Killed, Mid Air Collision (KMAC)

Damage: Completely destroyed (5)

Point Of Departure: A-55 Melun/Villaroche, France

Location: 8 1/2 miles SW of Sezanne, France

*Personnel*
Duty	Name	Rank	S/N	Status
Pilot	Leishman, Samuel Payne	2Lt	O-758013	Fatal
Airplane Mechanic - Gunner	Siracusa, Joseph F.	Sgt	32873602	Fatal
Airplane Mechanic - Gunner	Shempren, Eugene H.	Sgt	13097542	Fatal

Notes:
Pilot and crew were on a local formation training flight when bad weather moved in. Lt. Leishman struck a large tree while making an instrument descent.

Description:
Second Lieutenant Samuel P. Leischman's plane was last seen near Sezanne, flying very low. He had evidently been trying to let down through the overcast. The plane was in a 30-degree dive when it struck a large tree on a hill-side in very hilly country. The pilot and his two gunners, Sergeants Joseph F. Siracusa and Eugene H. Shempren, were killed in the crash.
(416th BG History 1944)