1944 — Feb 3, two USAAF B-26Bs Collide in Formation, 7M west of Garland, AR –all 13
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-14-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
— 13 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 679.
— 13 Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, TX. “Two Bombers Collide…Crews Killed.” 2-4-1944.
Narrative Information
Baugher: “Martin B-26B-35-MA Marauder….32070 (335th BG (M), 425th BS (M)) destroyed in midair collision with 42-43261 12 mi E of Texarkana, TX Feb 3, 1944. No survivors.” (Baugher, Joseph F. 1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-30848 to 41-39600). 9-4-2011 revision.)
Mireles: “At 1005, two Martin B-26B airplanes collided in mid-air and crashed seven miles west of Garland, Arkansas, killing 13 crewmembers aboard both airplanes….The airplanes were part of a six-ship flight that had taken off from Barksdale Field, Shreveport, Louisiana, on a routine formation training flight. Investigators stated,
“Airplane No. 41-32070 was on a routine training formation flight and was flying number- five position in a six-ship formation. Time of take-off was approximately 0800. A seventh ship joined the formation shortly after take-off and flew on the right wing of airplane No. 41-32070. The formation flight from 0800 until approximately 1000 was normal in every respect. At approximately 1000 airplane No. 41-32070 pulled up, for an unknown reason, from the formation to a position approximately 100 feet above the formation. It is believed by this board that the pilot then attempted to regain his position in the formation, and in doing so encountered the [propeller turbulence] of the lead element, which threw his airplane into a left bank. Due to a short distance between the airplanes, the pilot was unable to regain control in sufficient time to avoid collision with airplane No. 42-43261, which was flying number-four position in the formation. The left propeller of airplane No. 41-32070 tore the rudder off of airplane No. 42-43261 [and the] complete loss of control from the resulting collision then caused airplane No. 41-32070 and airplane No. 42-43261 to crash”.”
(Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 679.)
Newspaper
Feb 4: “Shreveport, LA. – (UP) – Two twin-motored bombers from Barksdale Field [LA] collided while flying in formation Thursday and crashed and burned three miles north of Garland City, Ark. Thirteen Army fliers were believed to have been aboard the planes.
“Officials at Barksdale Field, near here, said that no word had been received at the post on the exact number of men killed….Witnesses reported from Garland City, near the juncture of the Louisiana – Arkansas – Texas lines, that bodies of the men were so badly mangled that it was impossible to accurately count the number of dead….
“Joe Brown, a Garland City farmer, one of numerous persons who witnessed the crash, said the two planes were part of a seven-plane formation. He said one plane seemed to suddenly plunge upward, striking a plane flying above. A wing was knocked from one plane and a motor from the other and both planes fell to the ground, one diving and the other ground-looping, tearing away several large trees. Brown said that he believed 13 bodies were taken from the two planes.
“Barksdale officials said the planes were on a routine mission at the time of the crash. Crash crews were sent to the scene but no report had been made, officials said.
“The crash occurred shortly after 10 a.m., witnesses said.” (Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, TX. “Two Bombers Collide and Crews Killed.” 2-4-1944, p. 6.)
Sources
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.
Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, TX. “Two Bombers Collide and Crews Killed.” 2-4-1944, 6. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=16346755