Compiled by Wayne Blanchard for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/ Last edit 12-6-2023.

–33 United Press. “Servicemen Killed in Transport Crash.” Charleroi Mail, PA, 5-10-2023, p.4.

–31 Aviation Safety Network. USAAF C-46 crash, Hindhead, UK, May 6, 1945. (Cites Gero)

–31 Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, pp. 30-31.

–30 AAP. “Thirty Deaths in Plane Crash.” The Mercury, Hobart, Australia. 5-10-1945, p. 3.

[All thirty people on the plane died. Additionally one person on the ground was killed.]

–30 Baugher, Joe. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-70255 to 44-83885). 6-10-2023 revision.

–31 Blanchard: We choose to rely on Gero, a reliable source who had access to military accident

reports, for the notation of 31 deaths. Baugher is also a reliable source and he notes thirty

deaths, which is the death-toll for the occupants of the plane. He makes no mention of the

Canadian miliary man who was working at the RAF station and was also killed.

Narrative Information

Baugher, Joe. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-70255 to 44-83885). 6-10-2023 revision:

“….Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando….77839 struck tower Hindhead, UK while fling visual in IMC [instrument meteorological conditions] May 6, 1945. 30 killed.”

Gero:

“Date: 6 May 1945 (12:54)

“Location: Hindhead, Surrey, England

“Operator: US Army Air Forces

“Aircraft type: Curtiss-Wright C-46D (44-77839)

“Loaded with litter patients being brought back from the Continent, the twin-engine transport crashed and burned after striking the tops of radar towers located on Gibbets Hill, 25 miles (40km) south-west of London. A total of 31 military personnel lost their lives in the crash, one of them a Canadian who was on the ground in a hut struck by falling debris and the rest aboard the aircraft; except for three British, the latter were all Americans, including the crew of five assigned to 44-77839. There were no survivors.

“Flying through a valley close to the terrain on account of a low overcast, with 8/10 cloud coverage at 600ft (180m) and a visibility of 3 miles (5km), the aircraft was bound for Newbury, Berkshire, England, when it hit the tops of the towers, which rose to 240 ft (70m) above the ground, the impact shearing off the starboard wing. The accident was attributed to pilot error, specifically, his attempt to maintain contact (visual) flight rules in the instrument meteorological conditions. An additional factor may have been the absence of lights on the towers and the fact that the obstacles were not indicated on regional flight charges.”

Newspaper

May 10, AAP: “London, Wed. (AAP). – An American transport plane returning from the Continent crashed at Hindhead on Sunday. It is believed over 40 English and American passengers and crew were killed. The plane was flying low through rain and mist, and collided with an RAF radio pylon.” (AAP. “Thirty Deaths in Plane Crash.” The Mercury, Hobart, Australia. 5-10-1945, p.3.)

May 10, UP: “London, May 10 (AP) – Thirty-two American and British servicemen were killed at Hindhead Sunday when an American transport plane from the continent crashed into pylons of an RAF radio location station, it was disclosed today. One man working in the station also was killed.” (United Press. “Servicemen Killed in Transport Crash.” Charleroi Mail, PA, 5-10-2023, p.4.)

Sources

AAP (Australian Associated Press) “Thirty Deaths in Plane Crash.” The Mercury, Hobart, Australia. 5-10-1945, p. 3. Accessed 12-7-2023 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/hobart-mercury-may-10-1945-p-3/

Aviation Safety Network. USAAF C-46 crash, Hindhead, UK, May 6, 1945. Accessed 12-6-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19450506-1

Baugher, Joseph F. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-70255 to 44-83885). 6-10-2023 revision. Accessed 12-6-2023 at: https://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_5.html

Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. UK and Newbury Park, CA: Patrick Stephens Limited, an imprint of Hayes Publishing, 1999.

United Press. “Servicemen Killed in Transport Crash.” Charleroi Mail, PA, 5-10-2023, p. 4. Accessed 12-7-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/charleroi-mail-may-10-1945-p-4/

1945 – May 6, USAAF C-46 carrying litter patients, hits radar towers, Gibbets Hill, UK–31