1943 – July 21, two USAAF B-26Cs in formation collide 15M east of Parrish, FL — 10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-5-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 Assoc. Press. “Plane Collision Costs 10 Lives.” Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 7-22-1943, p. 1.
–10 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 445.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 0840 EWT, two Martin B-26C aircraft collided in mid-air 15 miles east of Parrish, Florida, killing ten crewmembers aboard both bombers….The two airplanes were part of a flight of three B-26 airplanes on a formation-training mission. Investigators stated,
‘Formation was flying echelon to the right. Airplane number 5262 was in the number one position; airplane #5188 and airplane #5203 were in the number 2 and number 3 positions [respectively]. [The airplanes were given the signal from the leader to return to a V-formation.] The airplanes in the number 2 and 3 positions started to change formation at the same time to go to the other side, this was at an altitude of 2,000 feet. Airplanes #5188 and #5203 collided in mid-air below and behind the lead ship ( #5262). Both ships fell to the ground, killing both crews. Airplane #5203 was the only airplane to burn on crashing’.” (Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 445.)
Newspaper
July 22, AP: “Tampa, Fla., July 22 – (AP) – The collision of two medium bombers from MacDill field yesterday cost the lives of ten army flie4rs. The MacDill field public relations office said the crash occurred near Boyett in the southeastern part of Hillsborough county, and that five men were aboard each bomber. The names of three of the men were withheld pending complete identification and notification of next of kin. The others were listed as [we break into lines]
First Lieut. Frank E. Waddell, pilot of one of the planes, Jefferson City, Mo.;
Second Lieut. Jim M. Williams, co-pilot of the other bomber, Megarel, Tex.;
Staff Sgt. Howard F. Haas, Buffalo, N.Y.;
Sgt. Frank Zaffina, Winchester, Mass.;
Sgt. Albert J. Cozens, Jr., Sand Point, Ida.;
Sgt. John R. Apfel, Brooklyn, N.Y., and
Sgt. Hergert H. Keller, Pittsburgh, Pa.”
(Associated Press. “Plane Collision Costs 10 Lives.” Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 7-22-1943, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Plane Collision Costs 10 Lives.” Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 7-22-1943, p. 1. Accessed 5-5-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sarasota-herald-tribune-jul-22-1943-p-1/
Mireles, Anthony J. Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 2: July 1943 – July 1944). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.