1942 – Oct 3, USN Sikorsky flying boat Excalibur takeoff crash, Botwood, NFLD, Can.–11
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 6-2-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
— 11 Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (10317 to 21191). 7-17-2011 rev.
— 11 Edwardsville Intelligencer (IL). “Chronology of the Year 1942,” Dec 31, 1942, p. 8.
— 11 Planecrashinfo.com. “1942.”
— 11 Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “Plane Crash Death Toll Mounts to 11.” 10-6-1942, p. 6.
— 11 Wikipedia. “Botwood;” also “Sikorsky VS-44.”
Narrative Information
Baugher: “12390…Sikorsky XJR2S-1. Operated by American Export Airlines under USN contract with civilian numbers NC41880…12390 (c/n 4401) was NX41880, later NC41880 ‘Excalibur” of American Export Airlines. Crashed on takeoff Oct 3, 1942 at Botwood, Newfoundland when flaps inadvertently extended to landing position, causing aircraft to stall immediately after liftoff. 5 out of 11 crew killed and 6 out 26 passengers killed.” (Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (10317 to 21191) 7-17-2011.)
Planecrashinfo.com: “Time: 19:05….Operator: American Export Airlines…Flight #71…Route: New York – Botwood – Foynes, Ireland….Registration: NC41880….Aboard 37 (passengers: 26 Crew: 11)…Fatalities: 11 (passengers: 6 crew: 5)…
“Summary: While attempting to takeoff, aircraft porpoised, attained a height of 35 ft. and then crashed into the water and broke up. Inadvertent actuation of the wing flaps to the full 35 degrees position during the take-off run, thereby rendering the aircraft excessively nose-heavy and uncontrollable.” (Planecrashinfo.com. “Accident Details.”)
Wikipedia: “In 1942, 11 United Sates military personnel died when their Sikorsky VS-44 flying boat, the Excalibur, crashed and sank in the Bay of Exploits shortly after takeoff from Botwood.” (Wikipedia. “Botwood.”)
Wikipedia: “The Sikorsky VS-44 was a large four-engined flying boat built in the USA in the early 1940s. The VS-44 was designed primarily for the trans-Atlantic passenger market, with a capacity of 40+ passengers. Only three aircraft were produced: Excalibur, Excambian, and Exeter (Sharpe, 2000, 309)….
“The outbreak of World War II put civilian transatlantic air services on hold. Now under a Navy contract, with the Navy designation JR2S-1, AEA’s three VS-44’s continued flying between New York, New York and Foynes, Ireland, carrying passengers, freight and war materiel. The first VS-44, Excalibur, crashed on takeoff in 1942 at Botwood, Newfoundland, killing 11 of the 37 aboard.” (Wikipedia. “Sikorsky VS-44;” cites Oliver Moore, “The Search for Excalibur…,” globeandmail.com, Sep 11, 2008.)
Newspapers
Oct 4, Associated Press: “New York, Oct. 4 (AP) – Ten persons were killed and at least eight persons injured in an airplane crash at Botwood, Newfoundland, Saturday [3rd], the headquarters of the eastern defense command and First army announced late Sunday.
“Thirty-seven persons were aboard the plane, but the army announcement did not disclose how many were passengers. Poor communications facilities at Botwood, the army said, made it difficult to establish the identity of the dead.
“The crash occurred between 5 and 6 p. m. Saturday, the army said. Apparently the plane fell into the sea off Botwood, since the announcement mentioned towing the wreckage into shallow water to facilitate salvage operations.
“The airplane’s hull was split in the crash, the army disclosed. The casualty list, as based upon reports made to the state department by the American consulate at St. Johns, included these dead:
Captain Dwight G. Thomas…Lincoln, Neb.
Michael C, J. Doyle…Laurelton, N. Y.
John R. Redmond…Jackson Heights, New York.
Quentin Moon…Flushing, N. Y.
Daniel Pipoli…The Bronx, N. Y.
- L, Lansing…New York City.
Lieutenant Colonel James Edward Whittaker…Worcester, Mass.
Captain Harold R. Freckelton…Hartford, Conn.
Captain William T, Meyers…Tampa, Fla.
Captain Warren C. Lessing…West Orange, N. J….”
(Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “Newfoundland Air Crash Kills Ten, Injures Eight.” 10-5-1942, p. 1.)
Oct 5: “New York, Oct. 5 (AP) – The number of fatalities in an airplane crash Saturday at Botwood, Newfoundland, has mounted to 11, the eastern defense command and First army announced Monday night. Colonel Clifford Palmer Bradley, Washington, D.C. died of injuries Sunday night, the announcement said….Another passenger, Lewis Galantiere, New York banker, was described as critically injured….The army listed 17 other persons aboard as ambulatory cases ready to travel. Four others were listed as suffering from abrasions and concussions. They are expected to be ready to travel in one or two weeks. Another four were described as suffering fractures which would require about two months to heal…” (Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “Plane Crash Death Toll Mounts to 11.” 10-6-1942, p. 6.)
Sources
Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (10317 to 21191). July 17, 2011 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries2.html
Edwardsville Intelligencer, IL. “Chronology of the Year 1942,” Dec 31, 1942, p. 8. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=1665978
Planecrashinfo.com. “1942.” Accessed at: http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1942/1942.htm
Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “Newfoundland Air Crash Kills Ten, Injures Eight.” 10-5-1942, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=89920699
Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “Plane Crash Death Toll Mounts to 11.” 10-6-1942, p. 6. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=89920722
Wikipedia. “Botwood.” Accessed 7-9-2010 at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botwood
Wikipedia. “Sikorsky VS-44.” 7-9-2010 at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_VS-44#cite_note-3