1945 — June 14, USAAF C-46D crash (apparent lightning strike), 6M SE Oakridge, MS–17
Last edit Dec 3, 2023 by Wayne Blanchard for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–17 AP. “15 Navy Men, 2 WAVES Killed in Crash of Plane.” Joplin Globe, MO. 6-15-1945, 1.
— 17 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V3, Aug 1944-Dec 1945, 1112.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 1120 CWT, a Curtiss C-46D flying in poor weather crashed six miles southeast of Oakridge, Mississippi, killing 14 passengers and three crewmembers. Passenger Sgt. Raymond L. Bullock miraculously survived but received serious injuries. Passenger ILL Harry L. Provasco was rescued from the wreckage, but he died about 15 minutes after reaching a hospital at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Pilot Capt. William R. Ross, co-pilot 2Lt. Robert A. Petty and flight engineer 2Lt. Don E. Hiller were killed in the crash. The airplane took off from Dallas, Texas, on a passenger flight to Jackson, Mississippi. The airplane was cleared on an instrument flight plan and was flying at about 3,000 feet. The airplane’s starboard wing was apparently struck by lightning, causing an explosion in the wing. The pilot could not maintain altitude and the airplane smashed into a wooded area at a 30-degree angle. The airplane burst into flames as it smashed its way through the trees.” (Mireles 2006, 1112.)
Rash: “The earliest lightning-related accident for which a detailed description is available involved a U.S. Air Force Curtiss C-46D transport plane en route from Dallas to Jackson, Mississippi, U.S., on June 14, 1945. While at 3,000 ft, one wing was struck by lightning. Unable to maintain altitude, the aircraft crashed into a wooded area.” (Rash. “When Lightning Strikes:,” Aero Safety World, June 2010, p. 20.)
Newspaper
June 14, AP: “Transport Explodes and Plunges Into Woods 16 Miles Northeast of Vicksburg, Miss. – Bodies and Wreckage Scattered Over Wide Area – Lone Survivor Taken to Hospital in Serious Condition.
“Vicksburg, Miss., June 14. – (AP) – Fifteen navy men and two WAVES were killed today when a transport plane exploded and crashed at Oakridge, 16 miles northeast of here. The only known survivor of the crash was in Mercy hospital at Vicksburg. His condition was pronounced serious.
“Own D. Baldwin, owner of a funeral home to which the bodies were taken, said the bodies were brought to Jackson under army direction.
“Major Albert V. Lowe, public relations officer at the Jackson air base, said officials had gone to the scene of the crash, but he had not been advised of the details nor if the plane was based here.
“Owen Shuff, telegraph editor of the Vicksburg Herald, said the wreckage and bodies were scattered over a wide, wooded area. He said eyewitnesses reported that the plane appeared to catch fire and then explode before crashing into the woods.” (Associated Press. “15 Navy Men, 2 WAVES Killed in Crash of Plane.” Joplin Globe, MO. 6-15-1945, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “15 Navy Men, 2 WAVES Killed in Crash of Plane.” Joplin Globe, MO. 6-15-1945, p. 1. Accessed 12-4-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/joplin-globe-jun-15-1945-p-1/
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.
Rash, Clarence E. “When Lightning Strikes: Aircraft Designs Incorporate Systems to Protect Against Direct and Indirect Damage,” Aero Safety World, June 2010, pp. 18-23. Accessed at: http://flightsafety.org/asw/jun10/asw_jun10_p18-23.pdf