1943 — July 17, two USAAF C-53s in formation collide 10M N of Grenada AAF, MS — 10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-20-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 AP. “Army Lists 10 Killed In Two-Plane Collision.” Evening Star, Wash., DC. 7-19-1943, 11
–10 Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation. USAAF 42-6464 collision, 7-16-1943.
Narrative Information
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation. USAAF 42-6464 collision, 7-16-1943:
“Date: Saturday 17 July 1943
“Type: Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)
“Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
“Registration: 42-6464
“MSN: 4916
“Year of manufacture: 1942….
Fatalities: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
“Other fatalities: 6
“Aircraft damage: Destroyed, written off
“Category: Accident
“Location: 16 km N of Grenada AAF, MS – USA
“Phase: En route
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: Grenada AAF, MS
“Destination airport: [Not noted.]
“Narrative:
“Six transport aircraft departed Grenada AAF for a formation training mission. After completing a climb in squadron formation to 1200 feet, the squadron leader signaled for an echelon to the right. The C-47 flying in the third position in the leading element (41-38730) dropped back while flying a cross-over. The C-47 crossed over the leader of the second element and descended upon a C-53 (42-6464), flying in second position. The left wing of the C-47 contacted the fuselage of the other aircraft, just forward of the tail. The C-53 was pushed down. Both planes locked together went up and over on their backs and consequently crashed.”
Newspaper
July 17, INS: “Grenada, Miss., July 17 (INS) – Two large Army transport planes based at the Grenada Army air field crashed today seven miles north of their home port when their wings became entangled while they were flying in formation. Army officials did not announce the number of persons aboard the two planes.” (INS. “Two Big Transport Planes Hit, Crash.” The Port Arthur News, TX. 7-18-1943.)
July 19, AP: “By the Associated Press. Grenada, Miss., July 19. – The Grenada Army Air Base yesterday released the names of the four officers and six enlisted men killed about 10 miles north of here in a two-plane collision Saturday. Those listed were: [We put names into separate lines.]
Second Lt. David P. Bruebak4r, Fresno, Calif.;
Second Lt. Harland G. Clendenin, Los Angeles;
Second Lt. Edward A. Hefkin, Jr., Los Angeles;
Flight Officer Thomas W. Carroll, North Platte, Nebr.;
Staff Sergt. Olen W. Goodner, Pampa, Tex.;
Staff Sergt. Leslie S. Lamb, O’Donnell, Tex.;
Corpl. Henry C. Manson, Delaware Eater Gap, Pa.;
Corpl. John F. Marshall, Long Beach, Calif.;
Corpl. Paul D. Mullins, Hamilton, Ohio, and
Corpl. Millard G. Unger, Hanover, Pa.
“Lt. Col. John C. Bennett, commanding officer at the base, said the crash occurred while the planes were on a routine training flight.” (AP. “Army Lists 10 Killed In Two-Plane Collision.” The Evening Star, Washington, DC. 7-19-1943, p.11.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Army Lists 10 Killed In Two-Plane Collision.” The Evening Star, Washington, DC. 7-19-1943, p. 11. Accessed 5-21-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/washington-dc-washington-evening-star-jul-19-1943-p-13/
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation. USAAF C-53 Skytrooper 42-6464 collision, 7-16-1943, 10M north of Grenada Army Air Field, MS. Accessed 5-21-2024 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/340833
Int. News Service. “Two Big Transport Planes Hit, Crash.” The Port Arthur News, TX. 7-18-1943. Accessed 5-21-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/port-arthur-news-jul-18-1943-p-54/