1944 — Dec 5, USAAF P-47D and B-24J planes collide 6M west of Walterboro AAF, SC–13
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-8-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–13 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V3, Aug 1944-Dec 1945, p. 987.
–13 The Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. “Thirteen Fliers Die.” 12-6-1944, p. 7.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 0825 EWT, a Republic P-47D and a Consolidated. B- 24J collided in mid-air and crashed six miles west of Walterboro Army Air Field, Walterboro, South Carolina, killing thirteen fliers. The subject B-24 was the lead airplane of a three-ship flight that took off at 0800 EWT from Charleston Army Air Base, Charleston, South Carolina, on a high-altitude camera-gunnery mission. The subject B-24 flight was assigned to fly at 20,000 feet.
“The P-47D was flying in the number-four position of a four-ship flight that took off at 0816 EWT from Walterboro Army Air Field and was to rendezvous with another four-ship B-24 flight, which was a separate flight flying at 8,000 feet. The subject B-24 flight took off, assembled and climbed out on a course of 270 degrees. The P-47s took off, circled the field once and began climbing out on a course of 250 degrees. The two formations were flying on converging courses; the B-24s were to the left and slightly ahead of the P-47 flight. The P-47s were climbing at 500 feet per minute at 170 mph and the B-24s were climbing at 400 feet per minute at about 160 mph.
“Investigation of the wreckage indicated that the subject P-47, while in a nose-high, left wing high position, collided with the underside of the number-four engine nacelle of the lead B-24. The number-four propeller of the subject B-24 passed through the top of the fuselage of the P-47, passing from right to left across the rear of the cockpit and across the leading edge of the port wing. Investigation revealed that the lead B-24 was climbing on autopilot. Both formations apparently climbed on their original courses until it was too late to avoid a collision. The lead ships of both formations were attempting to turn away from each other when the collision occurred at about 5,500 feet indicated altitude. As the number-four (subject) P-47D passed beneath the B24 formation, the fighter was turning to the right in an attempt to follow the lead P-47, colliding with the lead B-24’s number-four engine. The B-24’s starboard leading edge, number-four engine, nacelle and propeller separated and fell away. The B-24 went into a flat spin and smashed to earth, exploding into flames upon impact. The tail section and port wing of the P-47 separated and the airplane went out of control, slamming to earth and exploding a short distance from the B-24. Investigators speculated that the P-47 pilot, because he was watching his wingman while flying formation, did not see the B-24 formation until the instant that the collision occurred. It was noted that the P-47 pilot had been lagging behind early in the flight.” (Mireles 2006, 987.)
Newspaper
Dec 7, UP: “Charleston, S.C., Dec. 6 – (U.P.) – Thirteen members of the army air forces were killed yesterday in a collision of a B-24 bomber and a P-47 fighter plane neat Walterboro, S.C., it was announced today.” (The Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. “Thirteen Fliers Die.” 12-6-1944, p. 7.0
Sources
Mireles, Anthony J. Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 3: August 1944 – December 1945). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.
The Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. “Thirteen Fliers Die.” 12-6-1944, p. 7. Accessed 3-8-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kannapolis-daily-independent-dec-06-1944-p-7/