1943 — Feb 5, two USAAF B-25C bombers collide midair 12M west of Newberry, SC — 14
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-17-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–14 Mireles 2006, Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents in US 1941-1945, Vol. 1, p. 261.
–14 Syracuse Herald Journal (NY). “14 Men Killed in Crash of 2 Army Planes,” 2-6-1943, p.1.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 1730, two North American B-25C airplanes collided in midair and crashed 12 miles west of Newberry, South Carolina, killing 14 crewmembers aboard both bombers….
“The airplanes were part of a three-ship flight on a formation-training mission. The three-ship flight had been part of a seven-ship formation that had broken up. The formation had taken off from Morrison Field, West Palm Beach, Florida, and was flying back to the home station at the Army Air Base at Greenville, South Carolina. The formation was flying above the clouds at about 10,000 feet when the flight leader, Lt. Wilson flying in B-25C #41-13281, noticed a break in the overcast and began to descend through it. His flight followed him down and the other four airplanes remained above the overcast. The three-ship flight descended to about 1,500 feet agl near Lake Murray. After flying northwest at this altitude for a short period of time, flight leader Lt. Wilson made a sudden and steep turn to the right in an attempt to avoid low hanging clouds. Lt. Mannio, flying in B-25C #41-13275 in the number-two position, attempted to follow the maneuver and overran the leader. The two airplanes collided just as they were entering broken clouds. The airplanes fell from the overcast out of control and shedding pieces. The airplanes slammed to earth and exploded into flames. The tail section of Lt. Wilson’s airplane was not located at the time of the investigation. The number-three airplane had made a turn to the left to avoid the instrument conditions and…avoided colliding with the other two airplanes….
“Killed in the crash of B-25C #41-13281 were: [We put names into separate lines.]
1Lt. John E. Wilson, pilot;
2Lt. Francis Bardell, co-pilot;
2Lt. Julius X. Zarchin, bombardier;
SSgt. Harold B. Brown, engineer;
SSgt. Franklin G. Morris, engineer;
SSgt. Dean L. Loren, radio operator;
Sgt. Walter W. Pratt, gunner.
“Killed in the crash of B-25C #41-13275 were:
2Lt Kalerno K. Mannio, pilot;
2Lt. Donald D. Halley, co-pilot;
2Lt. Randolph V. Donaldson, navigator;
TSgt. Lyle E. Vinson, engineer;
Sgt. John C. McSalls, engineer;
SSgt. Basil R. Sink, radio operator;
SSgt. Allen M. Steen, gunner.
(Mireles 2006, Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents in US 1941-1945, Vol. 1, p. 261.)
Newspaper
Feb 6: “Greenville, S.C., Feb. 6 (UP). — Public ‘relations officials at the Greenville Army Air Base today announced 14 men were killed in the crash of two Army medium bombers on a farm 12 miles south of Newberry, S. C., late yesterday. The victims included the crews of the two bombers, which were flying in formation on a routine training flight from Tampa, Fla. Other planes in the formation arrived at their base safely. A board of officers was assigned to investigate the crash which was believed caused when the two machines collided in midair. However, officials here said they had not been able to confirm the. Report that a collision preceded the crash.
“H. T. Long, Newberry policeman, reported the planes crashed in a pine woods on the farm of Hubert Carlisle and one of the planes burned. Wreckage and bodies were scattered over a wide area, he said… Air base officials said the crash occurred at 4:30 P. M. Bodies of the victims were removed to funeral parlors in Newberry….” (Syracuse Herald Journal (NY). “14 Men Killed in Crash of 2 Army Planes,” 6 Feb 1943, p. 1.)
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.
Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “14 Men Killed in Crash of 2 Army Planes,” 2-6-1943, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=23149733