1944 – Nov 13, USAAF C-47 takeoff crash 3M NW Casper Army Air Base, Casper, WY–11
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-18-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–11 Aviation Safety Network. USAAF C-47 initial climb crash, Casper AAF, WY, 11-13-1944.
–11 Baugher, Joseph. 1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-6722 to 41-13296). 4-11-2023 rev.
–11 Miami Daily News-Record, OK. “Bulletin.” 11-14-1944, p. 1.
–11 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V3, Aug 1944-Dec 1945, p. 969.
Narrative Information
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1944:
“Date and Time: Monday 13 November 1944, 23:28
“Type: Douglas C-47-DL (DC-3)
“Operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
“Registration: 41-7834
“MSN: 4333
“First flight: 1942
….
“Crew: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
“Passengers: Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 9
“Total: Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 11
“Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
“Location: 5 km (3.1 mls) NW of Casper AAF, WY
“Phase: Initial climb (ICL)
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: Casper AAF, WY
“Destination airport: Casper-Wardwell Field, WY
“Narrative: A Douglas C-47 transport aircraft was destroyed when it struck terrain and
crashed shortly after takeoff from Casper AAF, WY. The airplane had taken
off from runway 25 and was turning right to leave the traffic pattern when
the accident happened.”
Baugher: “Douglas C-47-DL….7834 (MSN 4333) to USAAF Apr 28, 1942 – Operated by PAA May 14, 1942 – Panama Aug 21, 1943 – USA Aug 21, 1944 – w/o Nov 13, 1944 in crash 3 mi NW of Casper AAF, Wyoming shortly after takeoff. 11 killed.
Mireles: “At 2328 MWT, a Douglas C-47 crashed three miles northwest of the Army Air Base at Casper, Wyoming, killing pilot lLt. Roy L. Barnhill and co-pilot lLt. Eugene L. Kramer and nine passengers. The airplane had taken off from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Billings, Montana, with Casper, Wyoming, as an alternate. The airplane landed at Casper Army Air Base at 1221 MWT on 11-12-44 and was trapped there by poor weather. The pilot was refused a contact clearance for Great Falls, Montana. At 1800 on 11-13-44, the pilot was cleared on a contact flight to Wardell Municipal Airport at Casper. The starboard engine would not start and the flight was delayed until 2300 when the engine was finally started. The airplane was given another clearance for Wardell Airport. The pilot taxied to Runway 7 and performed his engine run up. The tower advised the pilot that he was on the wrong end of the runway for take-off. The pilot acknowledged and taxied down the runway to the correct end and turned around. The airplane was cleared for take-off on Runway 25 and the pilot began his roll. The airplane made a normal take-off and then entered a turn to the right to leave the traffic pattern. Moments later tower personnel noticed a flash in-the distance where the airplane crashed. Investigation revealed that the airplane struck the ground in a vertical bank to the left, the port wingtip contacting the ground first. The airplane then cartwheeled into the ground and exploded into flames.” (Mireles 2006, p. 969.)
Narrative Information
Nov 14, Associated Press: “Casper, Wyo., Nov. 14 – (AP) – Four Army officers, two Marines, a, sailor, a WAVE and three soldiers were killed last night in the crash of an Army transport plane, three miles north of Casper Army airfield. Col, E, M. Hampton, commanding officer of the base, said names of the dead would be withheld pending notification of next of kin. Cause of the crash was not determined.” (Miami Daily News-Record, OK. “Bulletin.” 11-14-1944, p. 1.)
Sources
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1944. USAAF C-47 initial climb crash, Casper AAF, WY, 11-13-1944. Accessed 3-18-2024 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19441113-1
Baugher, Joseph. 1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-6722 to 41-13296). 4-11-2023 revision. Accessed 3-18-2024 at: https://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1941_2.html
Miami Daily News-Record, Miami, OK. “Bulletin.” 11-14-1944, p. 1. Accessed 10-4-2012 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=135671498
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.