1943 — May 8, USAAF C-47 crash after takeoff 2M N Tinker Field, Oklahoma City OK–15
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-10-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–15 AP. “12 Alliance air base men Killed.” Lincoln Nebraska State Journal. 5-10-1943, p. 1.
–15 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V. 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p. 362.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 2142 CWT, a Douglas C-47A flying in instrument conditions crashed two miles north of Tinker Field, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, killing five crewmembers and ten passengers. The airplane had taken off from Tinker Field at 2132 on a cargo/personnel ferry flight to Alliance Army Air Base, Nebraska, and crashed into a plowed field ten minutes later. The Accident Classification Committee stated,
“Investigation revealed that the airplane struck the ground while in a left turn, the left wing striking the ground first. Approximately 200 yards past the first contact with the ground, the airplane struck with such force that major parts of the airplane, including the engines, were thrown off the airplane and all occupants were thrown out. There was evidence that the airplane was burning after this contact with the ground. The airplane then bounced and finally came to rest approximately 300 yards further on where it continued to burn.”
“Investigators speculated that the pilot became confused while flying on instruments and allowed the airplane to enter a diving attitude toward the ground. The airplane was seen to emerge from the 700-foot overcast in a diving attitude. The pilot was unable to recover in time to prevent the airplane from striking the ground.” (Mireles 2006, Vol. 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p. 362.)
Newspapers
May 8, AP: “Oklahoma City, May 8. – (AP) – Fourteen men were killed and one critically injured tonight when a two-engined army transport plane crashed near the Oklahoma City air depot, the depot public relations officer announced. Capt. Richard Martin, public relations officer, said 11 of the dead were soldiers and the other three civilians. The injured soldier was taken to Tinker Field hospital at the depot. Names of the victims were withheld pending notification of the next of kin. The plane was based at Tinker Field.
“Residents of the area, two miles southeast of the city, said the plane appeared to have caught fire in the air.” (Associated Press. “Army Plane Crash Kills Fourteen.” The Ada Evening News, OK. 5-9-1943, p. 1.)
May 10, AP: “Alliance, Neb. (AP). Names of 12 army officers and soldiers of the Alliance army air base and three civilians killed in the crash of a two-engined transport near the Oklahoma Cit, Okl., air depot Saturday night were disclosed by the public relations office here Sunday. Capt. John C. Doorty said the officers and soldiers were members of the 434th troop carrier group at the Alliance base, while the civilians were to become employes at the sub-depot here. Next of kin have been notified.
“The plane had previously made a routine flight to Oklahoma City, Captain Doorty disclosed. Grounded previously for repairs and checkup, the transport had been tested and approved for flight, he said. Officers and soldiers killed:
1st Lt. Robert Henry Pair, Atlanta, Ga.
2nd Lt. Norman Clark Keister, South Sioux City, Neb.
2nd Lt. Samson Greenbert, Richmond Hill, N.Y.
Flight Officer Joseph Norman Phelps, Harwood, Tex.
Sgt. R. E. Bennett, Tampa, Fla.
Cpl. S. R. Nendrey, Trenton, N.J.
Cpl. S. C. Sutterby, Buchanan, N.Y.
Cpl. S. N. Grober, East Stoneharn, Me.
Cpl. C. G. Naden, Douglas, Kas.
Pfc. J. D. Rooker, McAlister, Okl.
Pfc. Clifford W. Tilley, Johnstown, Pa.
Pfc. C. C. Motley, Macomb, Okl.
“The civilians: G. W. Bradshaw and R. E. Fitzgerald, employes at Will Roger field, Oklahoma City, and J. C. Coleman, employed at Tinker field, Oklahoma City….” (Associated Press. “12 Alliance air base men Killed.” Lincoln Nebraska State Journal. 5-10-1943, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Army Plane Crash Kills Fourteen.” The Ada Evening News, OK. 5-9-1943, p. 1. Accessed 5-10-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ada-evening-news-may-09-1943-p-1/
Associated Press. “12 Alliance air base men Killed.” Lincoln Nebraska State Journal. 5-10-1943, p. 1. Accessed 5-10-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-nebraska-state-journal-may-10-1943-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.