1943 — May 15, USAAF C-47 flies into fog-shrouded Gingercake Mountain, NC — 18
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-10-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–18 AP. “Army Transport Plane Crash Kills 18 Men.” Manitowoc Herald-Times, WI. 5-17-1943, p. 12.
–18 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V. 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p. 371.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 1700, a Douglas C-47 flying in instrument conditions collided with Ginger Cake Mountain, approximately 25 miles NNW of Morgantown, North Carolina, killing four crewmembers and fourteen passengers….The airplane had taken off at 1500 EWT from Laurinburg-Maxton Army Air Base, Maxton, North Carolina, on a personnel transport flight to Lunken Field, Cincinnati, Ohio. The airplane encountered instrument conditions near Charlotte, North Carolina. The pilot made two 360-degree turns while deciding whether or not to turn back for Maxton. He elected to continue on to Cincinnati and regained the course for Lunken Field. The airplane, while flying on instruments, smashed into the 4,350-foot mountain at an elevation of about 4,000 feet msl. The airplane exploded violently into flames upon impact, scattering wreckage and bodies for over 500 yards. Investigators noted that the airplane should have been flying at 8,000 feet msl while passing over the mountainous terrain. Newspaper accounts of the crash described the visibility at the scene of the crash as “pea soup” fog.” (Mireles 2006, Vol. 1, p. 371.)
Newspaper
May 15, AP: “Morganton, May 15. – (AP) – A large Army airplane crashed on Gingercake Mountain, about 25 miles north of here, today, and all occupants, believed to be 14 in number, were killed. Residents of the area told civilian officers who arrived soon after the accident that they had counted 14 bodies, strewn, with wreckage, over an area of 500 to 600 feet. Soldiers arrived several hours after the crash and posted guards about the scene, awaiting investigating officers.
“Bo Franklin, who lives about 200 yards from the scene, told Chief Deputy Sheriff W. R. Patton of Burke County, that the plane was going northward when he saw it shortly before the crash. A heavy fog shrouded the area and, according to Franklin and other residents, the plane apparently came upon the mountain suddenly and endeavored to pull up steeply. Franklin said the plane crashed and hen he heard an explosive sound he described as a ‘whooshing’ noise, louder than the crash.
“The plane topped a number of saplings and then struck a large white oak tree, snapping it off about 254 feet from the ground. At the break, the trunk was estimated at 20 to 25 inches in diameter.
“Patton said there was nothing to indicate the source or destination of the plane. It is the Army’s policy not to release names of victims until the next of kin have been notified.” (Associated Press. “Plane Crash Kills 14 Near Morganton.” The High Point Enterprise, NC. 5-16-1943, p. 1.)
May 17, AP: “Morganton, N.C., (AP) – Eighteen enlisted men and officers were killed Saturday when their Army transport plane apparently became lost in a fog and crashed into Gingercake mountain, 25 miles north of here. Announcement of their names today awaited identification and notice to next of kin.” (Associated Press. “Army Transport Plane Crash Kills 18 Men.” Manitowoc Herald-Times, WI. 5-17-1943, p. 12.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Army Transport Plane Crash Kills 18 Men.” Manitowoc Herald-Times, WI. 5-17-1943, p. 12. Accessed 5-10-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/manitowoc-herald-times-may-17-1943-p-12/
Associated Press. “Plane Crash Kills 14 Near Morganton.” The High Point Enterprise, NC. 5-16-1943, p. 1. Accessed 5-10-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/high-point-enterprise-may-16-1943-p-1/
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.