1942 — Apr 29, four USAAF planes crash – Kodiak, AK; Smyer, TX; Orlando, FL (2)– 15
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 6-18-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
USAAF B-17E and Curtis P-40E Planes Collide, 9 miles west of Orlando, FL
— 7 Mireles. Fatal [AAF] Aviation Accidents...[US]…V1: 1941–June 1943. 2006, 78-79.
— 7 Twin Falls Times News, ID. “Seven Killed in Crash of Bomber.” 4-29-1942, 1.
— 7 Waterloo Daily Courier, IA. “Seven Army Fliers die…2 Planes Collide…” 4-30-1942, 2.
USAAF B-18A Plane Crash, Sharatin Mountain, near Kodiak, AK
— 7 Baugher, Joseph F. 1930-1937 USAAS Serial Numbers. March 5, 2011 revision.
— 7 Kodiak Alaska Military History. “Crashes and Wrecks.” 3-10-2011 update.
— 7 Kodiak Alaska Military History. “Douglas B-18A ‘Bolo’ A/C No. 37-522.”
USAAF North American AT-6A Plane Crash near Smyer and Lubbock Army Flying School, TX
— 1 Mireles. Fatal [AAF] Aviation Accidents...[US]…V1: 1941–June 1943. 2006, 78.
— 1 Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cadet is Killed as Plane Falls.” 4-30-1942, p. 4.
— 1 Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cadet’s Body Sent to Florida for Burial.” 5-1-1942, 11.
Orlando, FL
Mireless: “4-2942B, Orlando, Florida. At 1040, a Boeing B-17E and a Curtiss P-40E collided in flight nine miles west of Orlando, Florida, while participating in simulated combat, killing six crewmembers aboard the B-17 and the pilot of the P-40, 2Lt. Robert S. Boyce, 23, Chillicothe, Ohio. The B-17 was ‘attacked’ by two P-40 airplanes piloted by Lt. Boyce and 2Lt. Charles J. Rosenblat. Lt Rosenblat stated to the Accident Classification Committee, ‘[Lt. Boyce and I] took off about 1000 together in formation, climbed to 10,000 feet, flying in formation all the time. We spotted a B-17 about 9,000 feet about 1020. We then attacked them and in a few minutes 2Lt. Richard A DeEulis and 2Lt. McCauley Clark came up and attacked also. When the accident occurred we were at 10,000 feet. Lt. Boyce and myself were making a head-on attack. I was about one-quarter of a mile behind him making a slight bank. He hit the right outboard engine and went over the top of the wing and burst into flames immediately. The B-17 pitched up and immediately went into a spin. I followed the P-40 down a few thousand feet. Afterwards I flew over to where the B-17 had crashed. I came back to the field and landed at about 1100.’ The B-17 fell into an orange grove at the Agriculture Sub-Tropical Fruit Research Station just off of Hiawassee Road and the P-40 smashed into the ground near Hoequist Field about two miles away. [Lists names of fatalities found in AP report below.]”
United Press, April 29: “Orlando, Fla., April 29 (UP) — Seven army fliers were killed today when an army bomber and a pursuit plane collided at a high altitude near Orlando. The two planes crashed two miles apart. The bomber carried six men, the pursuit plane only the pilot [1st Lt. Robert Boyce]. The bomber was based at MacDill field, Tampa. Boyce had been assigned to duty at the Orlando army air base. Cause of the accident was not known.” (Twin Falls Times News, ID. “Seven Killed in Crash of Bomber.” 4-29-1942, 1.)
Associated Press, April 30: “Orlando, Fla. – (AP) — Seven army fliers were killed Wednesday when a bomber and a pursuit ship collided in midair about nine miles west of here. The dead were announced by Col. Thomas S. Voss. commandant of the Orlando air base, as:
Second Lieut. Ernest W. Robertson of Eugene, Ore.
Second Lieut. Joseph S. Smith of Yoakum, Tex.
Second Lieut. Richard R, Carnevale of Columbus. O.
Private M. C. Brown of Detroit Mich.
Private L. A. Gerhart of Wernersville, Pa.
Private Wm. E. Wimp of Holland, Mich.
Second Lieut. Robert S. Boyce of Chillicothe, O., pilot of the pursuit ship.
“The bomber, carrying the crew of six, was attached to MacDill field at Tampa and the pursuit plane was from the Orlando air base. Both ships burned following the collision, the wreckage of the bomber falling into an orange grove and the pursuit plane coming to earth two miles away.” (UP. “Seven Army Fliers die When 2 Planes Collide in Midair.” Waterloo Daily Courier, IA. 4-30-1942, p. 2.)
Sharatin Mountain, near Kodiak, AK
Baugher: “Douglas B-18A…. 37-522 crashed Apr 29, 1942 near Kodiak, Alaska attempting to climb through the mountains while overloaded. 7 killed, one survived.” (Baugher, Joseph F. 1930-1937 USAAS Serial Numbers. March 5, 2011 revision.)
Kodiak Alaska Military History: “1942 APRIL 29 B-18a serial No. 37-522 crashed on Sharatine Mountain near Anton Larsen Bay just west of the Kodiak airport. There were seven fatalities of the eight crew. The survivor was severely injured.” (Kodiak Alaska Military History. “Crashes and Wrecks.” 3-10-2011 update.)
Kodiak Alaska Military History: “On April 28, 1942 Headquarters, Alaskan Air Base, Fort Richardson, Alaska issued Operations Order No. 118c directing the crew of B-18A, No. 37-522, to Cold Bay via Kodiak, and thence to Umnak for an aerial photography mission. This was just over one month before the Japanese attack on Dutch Harbor. On April 29th , at about 0800, -522 departed NAS Kodiak. The pilot, 1st Lt. Edward J. Tuma, was forced to turn back for not having the” proper clearance”. While on the ground Lt. Tuma complained about the overload of gas and equipment on his plane. On the second attempt, he again climbed out toward Anton Larsen Bay, and then evidently tried to turn on a course for Cold Bay while too low. He was caught by a downdraft while trying to clear the ridge of Sheratin Mountain, and impacted 150 feet below the ridge. The following are edited excerpts from the accident investigation file.
TECHNICAL REPORT OF AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE
(1) The Accident Classification Committee of Ft. Greely, Alaska met on May 16th, 1942…
(2) Place, date, and time of accident: Kodiak Island April 29, 1942, 0900
(3) Aircraft station: Elmendorf Field Org: 77th Bombardment Squadron
(4) Aircraft model: B-18A A.C. No. 37-522….
(6) Total hours: 1833:30 Hours since overhaul: 1833:30….
(12) Purpose of flight: Photography
(13) Took of from: Kodiak Time: 0830
(14) Weather at time of accident: Clear
(15) Pilot (name and rank): Tuma, Edward J. 1st Lt….
(20) Regular duties assigned: Flight Commander….
(24) Models flown last 3 months: (1) B-18A (2) B-26 (3) AT-7…
(27) Results to personnel
Pilot — Tuma, Edward J. 1st Lt. RAR — Fatal
Co-Pilot — McDermott, Thomas A. 2nd Lt. RAR — Fatal
Navigator — Wilson, James L. 2nd Lt. RAR — Fatal
Photographer — Betts, Russell A. 2nd Lt. RAR — Fatal
Engineer — Steele, Harold B. T/Sgt. RA — Fatal
Photographer — Harris, Glen R. S/Sgt. RA — Fatal
Bomber — Blake, Orville E. Sgt. RA — Major Injury
Radio Operator — Tester, Rodney L. Pvt. RA — Fatal
“Damage to aircraft: A- Complete wreck
“Nature: B- Collisions in full flight with objects other than aircraft
“Causes:
50% Personnel error, Pilot error, error in judgment
50% Miscellaneous, Weather, Turbulence and Downdrafts….
(29) Statement of Accident Classification Committee:
The pilot had made a previous take-off and was forced to return due to the fact that he did not have a proper clearance. Before his next take-off he had complained of how heavily loaded his ship was due to having an extra tank of gas, which he did not need, plus all the equipment aboard. The pilot showed an error in judgment in attempting to climb out the ridge without sufficient altitude for a safe clearance a very heavy ship and in very turbulent air, when it would have been to avoid the ridge by going around it. While passing over the ridge at about 150 feet the ship was caught in a severe down draft, and in spite of all that the pilot could do the ship struck the ridge at about 150 feet below the summit. There was no engine failure. The weather conditions that existed on April 29 are peculiar to the region around Kodiak Island. The trubulence [sic] and drafts are exceedingly severe and are much more violent than a pilot not used to flying in this area could expect….
(31)Remarks and Recommendations: With SW winds, take-off[s] from Kodiak Naval Air Station are towards inshore hills. Two alternatives are open to pilots after take-off: either turn sharply over the lower hills nearest the airdrome and return over field to shore line, or continue climb turning N. of West to go through the pass in that direction. Either alternative with a heavily loaded B-18 in gusty air is uncomfortable, and it is quite like[l]y that the pilot was attempting to attain relatively smoother air West of the mountain and on course as soon as possible. Considering all factors, the undersigned concludes that a more correct analysis of causes would be as follows: Weather 50%; Airport or terrain 20%; Pilot error of judgment 30%.
(Signed) L. H. Dunlap, Colonel, Air Corps
“A note dated 8-9-43 was attached and read:
“Mature Group: Collision in flight
Specific Nature: with mountain
Underlying Nature: Pilot misjudged needed clearance
Cause Group: 100% Pilot error [in] judgment
Specific Cause: Lack of experience in ar[c]tic flying
Underlying cause: Lack of knowledge”.”
“Affidavit….Sergeant Orville E. Blake…Bombardment Squadron, Fort Richardson, Alaska…”
“After taking off from East to West we climbed steadily through the pass at almost 120 to 125 miles per hour. The air was very rough and turbulent. We got through the pass and turned left still climbing to get over the surrounding ridges. We were about 150 to 200 feet above the first ridge indicating about 120 when we hit a down draft. There was no engine failure, and although Lt. Tuma did everything possible to prevent it, we hit the mountain.”
(Kodiak Alaska Military History. “Douglas B-18A ‘Bolo’ A/C No. 37-522.”)
Smyer, near Lubbock Army Flying School, TX
Mireles: “4-29-42A. Smyer, Texas. At 0310, a North American AT—6A on a night formation flight with two other AT-6A airplanes crashed three and one-half miles west of Smyer, Texas, killing Aviation Cadet Haynes G. Huggins, 23, Lockhart, Alabama. The student had been flying the number two position in the formation when he suddenly left the formation and passed beneath and in front of his wingmen. The airplane appeared to be under control when it disappeared from sight. The accident Classification Committee could not determine exactly why the airplane crashed or why the pilot left the formation.”
April 30, Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX: “A crack-up early Wednesday morning [April 29] resulted in the first death of a man stationed at Lubbock Army Flying school. Army officials officially announced the death of Cadet Haynes G. Huggins, 23, of Lockhart, Ala., in the crash of his plane eight miles southwest of the school.
“The Army training plane he was piloting in a routine night-flight fell at 3 o’clock Wednesday morning in a field. The accident happened only a few hours before members of the first graduating class at the air base, received their commissions as second lieutenants and wings as army pilots.” (Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cadet is Killed as Plane Falls.” 4-30-1942, 4.)
May 1, Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX: “The body of Cadet Haynes G. Huggins, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Huggins of Lockdale, Ala., was sent to De Funiak Springs, Fla., by train Thursday…The youth was the first fatality from a crash since training started at Lubbock Army Flying school. He-died in his training plane eight miles southwest of the school early Wednesday morning.” (Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cadet’s Body Sent to Florida for Burial.” 5-1-1942, 11.)
Sources
Baugher, Joseph F. 1930-1937 USAAS Serial Numbers. March 5, 2011 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1930.html
Kodiak Alaska Military History. “Douglas B-18A ‘Bolo’ A/C No. 37-522.” 3-21-2009 update. Accessed 3-27-2012 at: http://www.kadiak.org/crash/b-18a_crash_summary.html
Kodiak Military History Museum. Kodiak Alaska Military History. “Crashes and Wrecks.” Accessed 1-1-2018 at: http://kadiak.org/crash/index.html
Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cadet is Killed as Plane Falls.” 4-30-1942, p. 4. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=110724596
Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Cadet’s Body Sent to Florida for Burial.” 5-1-1942, p. 11. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=110724607
Mireles, Anthony J. Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 1: Introduction, January 1941 – June 1943). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.
Twin Falls Times News, ID. “Seven Killed in Crash of Bomber.” 4-29-1942, 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=169419876
Waterloo Daily Courier, IA. “Seven Army Fliers die When 2 Planes Collide in Midair.” 4-30-1942, 2. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=87085491