1944 — Apr 11, US Navy War Eagles P-3C Orion crashes east of Columbus, NM        –all 12

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-6-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–12  Baugher. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (39999 to 50359).  8-7-2011

–12  Oakland Tribune, CA. “12 Naval Airmen Killed in Crash at Columbus, N.M.” 4-16-1944, 1

Narrative Information

Baugher: “48222 (VP-16)[1] crashed east of Columbus, NM 4/11/1944.  12 killed.”  (Baugher. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (39999 to 50359).  8-7-2011.)

Newspaper

April 15: “San Diego, April 15 – (UP) — Twelve naval fliers were killed when their heavy bombing plane crashed and exploded 15 miles east of Columbus, N.M., the 11^th Naval District announced tonight.  The entire crew were killed and their bodies burned, the Navy said.  The plane was on a routine cross-country flight when the crash occurred a quarter mile below the international border last Tuesday….” (Oakland Tribune, CA. “12 Naval Airmen Killed in Crash at Columbus, N.M.” 4-16-1944, p. 1.)

Sources

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (39999 to 50359). 8-7-2011 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries5.html

Oakland Tribune, CA. “12 Naval Airmen Killed in Crash at Columbus, N.M.” 4-16-1944, p. 1.  Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=33458939

[1] War Eagles Patrol Squadron Sixteen, flying a P-3C Orion.  (U.S. Navy. “Patrol Squadron Sixteen War Eagles.”)