1943 – Feb 28, 2 USAAF B-26 bombers collide mid-air, bombing range, Avon Park, FL– 11
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-15-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–11 Mireles 2006, Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents in US 1941-1945, Vol. 1, p. 287.
–11 Piqua Daily Call, OH. “Eleven Men Meet Death in Bomber Crash on Sunday.” 3-2-1943, 9
–11 San Antonio Light, TX. “11 Killed as Planes Collide.” 3-2-1943, p. 4.
Narrative Information
Baugher: “Martin B-26B-3 Marauder 17625 collided in midair with 41-17610 Feb 28, 1943 over Avon Park, FL bombing range. Both crews killed.” (Baugher, Joseph F. 1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-13297 to 24339). 11-7-2011 revision.)
Mireles: “At 1205 EWT, two Martin B-26B airplanes collided in mid-air at the AAF Bombing and Gunnery Range at Avon Park, Florida, killing ten fliers [names 11]. The airplanes were part of a four-ship of flight of B-26 airplanes in two, two-ship flights. The formation was flying over the northern end of Arbuckle Lake at about 1,100 feet agl. B-26B #4117619 was leading the second element of two airplanes. The formation went into a shallow turn to the right. B-26B #41-17625, the wing ship, lost about 50 feet in the turn. The wing ship then climbed and pulled up almost abreast of the lead ship. The wing ship dropped down and began drifting to the left. The lead ship had suddenly gained about 50 feet and then began to settle back down into position. At the same time, the wing ship began to climb and to move back over to position. The wing ship ascended into the lead airplane, its number-two propeller contacting the fuselage of the lead ship. Both airplanes then fell out of control and slammed into the ground where they exploded into flames upon impact….” (Mireles 2006, Vol. 1, p. 287.)
Newspapers
March 2, Associated Press: “Avon Park, Fla., March 2. – (AP). The Avon park bomber base has announced the following 11 fliers were killed when two medium bombers collided and crashed near here Sunday:
First Lieuts, Prank L. Wassel Jr., Westport, Conn., and
Ramon G. Buela [or Bucla], Union City, N. J.;
Second Lieuts. Robert J. Brude, Park Ridge, Ill.;
Arthur B. Kuntz, Harvey, N.D.;
Dane Hansen, Salt Lake City, Utah;
Flight Officer Harry G. Smith, Batesville, Ind.;
Staff Sgts. Ray Dykes Jr., New River, Tenn.;
Rex E. Lee. Sparta; Mo.;
Sgts. Richard P. Sofinski, Buffalo, N. Y.;
Elcon H. Kinn. Brill, Wis., and
Elroy P. Gainer, Cleveland, Ohio.”
(San Antonio Light, TX. “11 Killed as Planes Collide.” 3-2-1943, p. 4.)
March 2, United Press: “Avon Park, Fla., March 2. – (UP) – Two medium bombers collided and crashed during a formation training flight near here Sunday and officials at the Avon Park bombing range announced today that all 11 fliers in the two planes were killed. The dead included Sgt. Elroy V. Gainer, Cleveland, Ohio.” (Piqua Daily Call, OH. “Eleven Men Meet Death in Bomber Crash on Sunday.” 3-2-1943, p. 9.)
Sources
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.
Piqua Daily Call, OH. “Eleven Men Meet Death in Bomber Crash on Sunday.” 3-2-1943, p. 9. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=88600882
San Antonio Light, TX. “11 Killed as Planes Collide.” 3-2-1943, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=68973622