1944 – July 20, two USAAF B-17Fs in formation collide midair, N of Brooksville, FL — 10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-31-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 AP. “Eight Airmen Die in Florida Crash.” Centralia Evening Sentinel, IL. 7-21-1944, p. 7.
[Two missing.]
–10 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 861.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 0745 EWT, two Boeing B-17F airplanes collided in mid-air at Brooksville, Florida, killing ten fliers and injuring five. Nine crewmembers were able to parachute to safety and five were uninjured. The airplanes had taken off from Drew Field, Tampa, Florida, on an air-to-air gunnery exercise and high altitude formation mission. B-17F #42-3464 was leading the formation at an altitude of 10,000 feet when B-17F #4229548, flying in the number-two position, fell out of position. The pilot attempted to regain his position and failed to maintain the proper interval. As B47F#42-3464 began a shallow turn to the left to allow the other airplane a chance to form up, B-17F #42-29548 flew underneath and then pulled up into the lead airplane. B-17F #42-29548 fell out of control and smashed to earth where it exploded into flames upon impact. Lt. Niederriter was forced to make a forced landing in B-17F #42-3464 because his parachute was inadvertently deployed in the aircraft as he attempted to leave the flight deck. Lt. Fraser volunteered to give Lt. Niederriter a hand in landing the ship, but the instructor ordered him to bail out.” (Mireles 2006, p. 861.)
Newspaper
July 21, AP: “Tampa, Fla., July 21 (AP) – Eight airmen were killed, ten slightly injured and two are still missing following collision of two flying Fortresses flying in combat training from Drew field yesterday north of Brooksville. Sill missing: Cp. John G. Pollock, 25, son of Mrs. Mary Pollock, Stonington, Ill.” (Associated Press. “Eight Airmen Die in Florida Crash.” Centralia Evening Sentinel, IL. 7-21-1944, p. 7.)
July 21, AP: “….The known dead as announced by the field included: T. Sgt. Wm. H. Hopkins, 22, son of Mrs. Maebelle C. Hopkins, R.F.D. 2, Belton, S.C.” (Associated Press. “Eight Airmen Die” The Gastonia Daily Gazette, NC. 7-21-1944, p. 6.)
July 21, AP: “….The known dead, as announced by the field, included: 2nd Lt. Ernest B. Rockwell, 22, son of Mrs. Anna Mae S. Rockwell, 601 Lauderdale Street, Selma, Ala.” (Associated Press. “2 Flying Fors Collide in Air.” The Decatur Daily, AL. 7-21-1944, p. 2.)
July 22, UP: “Tampa, Fla. – (U.P.) Eight fliers were killed, 10 were injured and two were reported missing Friday after two Flying Fortresses collided in flight near Brooksville, Fla….The dead included Pfc. John F. Gleason, Milwaukee, Wis.” (United Press. “Eight Fliers Killed.” Telegraph-Herald, Dubuque, IA. 7-23-1944, p. 10.)
Sources
Associated Press. “2 Flying Fors Collide in Air.” The Decatur Daily, AL. 7-21-1944, p. 2. Accessed 3-31-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-daily-jul-21-1944-p-2/
Associated Press. “Eight Airmen Die” The Gastonia Daily Gazette, NC. 7-21-1944, p. 6. Accessed 3-31-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/gastonia-daily-gazette-jul-21-1944-p-6/
Associated Press. “Eight Airmen Die in Florida Crash.” Centralia Evening Sentinel, IL. 7-21-1944, p. 7. Accessed 3-31-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/centralia-evening-sentinel-jul-21-1944-p-7/
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.
United Press. “Eight Fliers Killed.” Telegraph-Herald, Dubuque, IA. 7-23-1944, p. 10. Accessed 3-31-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubuque-telegraph-herald-jul-23-1944-p-10/