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416th Bombardment Group (L) Aircraft Accident Report 45-11-10-523 November 10, 1944, Friday
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Aircraft Accident Report 45-11-10-523 November 10, 1944, Friday
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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): 44-565 (Douglas A-20K-15-DO Havoc) 9th AF; 416th Bomb Gp; 668th Bomb Sq Reason: Killed In A Crash (KCR) Damage: Completely destroyed (4) Point Of Departure: A-55 Melun/Villaroche, France Location: 3 miles south Fontainebleau, France
Notes: Pilot and crew were on a practice bombing mission at Arbonne Bombing Range. Witnesses heard the sound of racing engines causing them to look up. They saw the airplane coming through the overcast in a violent unconventional spin (possibly inverted). Soon after, the plane struck the ground inverted and was demolished, killing the entire crew. Description: There was one training accident during the month. While on a practice bombing mission on the 10th November, an A-20, piloted by 2d Lt Richard C. Miles of the 668th Bomb Sq (L), crashed about three miles south of Fontaineblue. The plane was seen to break through a low overcast in an unconventional spin--possibly an inverted spin. It struck the ground and was almost completely demolished. No one was seen getting out of the plane although the body of Corporal Samuel A. Pepe was found 500 yards from the crash, evidently thrown clear of the plane during the spin. There was no evidence of engine failure. Lt Miles, his bombardier-navigator, 2d Lt William G. Kelly, and the two gunners, Corporal Pepe and Corporal Terrance F. Morrissey, were all killed. The four men were interred at the American Military Cemetary at Solers, France. These were our only losses during the month of November. (416th BG History 1944) |
