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416th Bombardment Group (L) Aircraft Accident Report 45-12-23-535 December 23, 1944, Saturday
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Aircraft Accident Report 45-12-23-535 December 23, 1944, Saturday
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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): 41-39216 (Douglas A-26B-20-DL Invader) 9th AF; 416th Bomb Gp; 668th Bomb Sq Mission # 173 Reason: Taxiing Accident (TAC) Damage: Major damage (3) Point Of Departure: A-55 Melun/Villaroche, France Location: Melun/A-55
Notes: Pilot's Mission: Combat. Nature of Accident: Taxi Accident. Cause of Accident: Frost on windshield. Unmarked obstruction on taxi strip and error of judgement. Narrative: On 23 December 1944, Lt. Kreh piloting A-26 type aircraft # 41-39216 taxied into a pile of asphalt located on the inner edge of the perimeter. Due to the frost on the windshield an dust blown up by the ship ahead, Lt. Krey did not see the obstruction and rolled his left wheel onto the crest of it throwing his right wing down causing the right prop to strike the taxi strip four times. The left prop also struck the asphalt on the uprise. Description: Lt Eldon B. Kreh was originally scheduled to fly A-26B Aircraft Serial Number 41-39216 in Position 2, Flight I, Box I, with crewmembers Command Pilot Brigadier General Edward N. Backus and Gunner S/Sgt Claude J. Clark, Jr. This accident damaged A/C 41-39216 while Lt. Kreh was taxiing to prepare for takeoff, so Lt. Kreh and his gunner, S/Sgt Clark changed to A-20J aircraft 43-21717. However, once airborne, the landing gear would not retract, so Lt. Kreh had to return early on this mission. See Mission # 173 for additional details |