1945 — Sep 6, USAAF C-47, intra-Philippine flight reportedly blows up ~San Jancinico Strait–30

Compiled 12-28-2023 by Wayne Blanchard for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–30  Aviation Safety Network. USAAF C-47 explodes inflight ~San Jancinico Strait, Philippines

–30  Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. “Crash of Douglas C-47…off Philippines: 30 Killed.”

Narrative Information

 

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 118:

“Date:                          Thursday 6 September 1945

“Type:                         Douglas C-47A-35-DL (DC-3)

“Operator:                   United States Army Air Force 0 USAAF

“Registration:              42-23860         “MSN:                         9722

“First Flight:               1943….

“Crew:                         Fatalities:   4 / Occupants:   4

“Passengers:                Fatalities: 26 / Occupants: 26

“Total:                         Fatalities: 30 / Occupants: 30

“Aircraft damage:       Missing….

“Location:                   near San Jancinico Strait (Philippines)

“Departure airport:      Tacloban Airport…Philippines

“Destination airport:   Manila-Nichols Air Base…Philippines          [both were US bases then]

“Narrative:                  Missing during a flight from APO 72 to APO 75. The airplane reportedly

blew up in midair.”

 

Baugher: “….Doughlas C-47A-35-DL….23860 (MSN 9722) to USAAF Jun 17, 1943….With 529th TCG lost Sep 6, 1945, SW Pacific. Observed to be on fire and apparently exploded in midair and crashed over a wide area over the San Jacinico Strait between Leyte and Samar into San Pedro Bay.” (Baugher, Joe F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-10960 to 42-30031). 9-8-2023 revision.)

 

Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives:

“Date & Time:                         Sep 6, 1945

“Type of aircraft:        Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

“Operator:                   USAAF

“Registration:              42-23860

“Flight Phase:              Flight

“Flight Type:               Military

“Survivors:                  No

“Site:                           Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

“Schedule:                   Tacloban – Nichols

“MSN:                         9722

“YOM:                        1943

“Location:                   Philippines….

“Crew on board: 4      Crew fatalities: 4

“Pax on board:            26       Pax fatalities: 26

“Other fatalities:         0

“Total fatalities:          30

“Circumstances:          Lost without trace while conducting a troop transfer from Tacloban to

Nichols AFB. The aircraft may have crash into sea somewhere in The Philippines. No trace was ever found.

“Crew:

Pfc Manuel S. Alderette,
Cpl John C. Backius,
Pfc Joseph M. Barone,
Cwo George W. Bloomer,
Sgt William B. Campbell,
Tec Paul P. Dunlap,
Pvt James B. Ellis,
Sgt Kingdon G. Ford,
S/Sgt Paul A. Gallick,
Pfc Thomas E . Gehringer,
F/O Robert E. Gennette,
Cpl Richard A. Gess,
Pfc Ernest Huber,
Cpl Broadus F. James,
Tec Edward M. Kelly,
Tec Noel N. Knox,
Pfc Lester M. Kranz,
Pvt Joseph S. Markulis,
Pfc Leo W. Matson,
S/Sgt Robert H. Meyers,
Tec Milton E. Miles,
S/Sgt Carlton K. Nipher,
Pfc Joseph F. Peragine,
Sgt Melvin R. Robinson,
Pfc Grant C. Ruchti,
Cpl Doyle L. Simmons,
Tec Lloyd E. Smith.”

 

Sources

 

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 118. USAAF C-47 explodes inflight ~San Jancinico Strait, Philippines, September 6, 1945. Accessed 12-28-2023 at:

https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19450906-3

 

Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-10960 to 42-30031). 9-8-2023 revision. Accessed 1228-2023 at: https://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_1a.html

 

Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. “Crash of a Douglas C-47A-35-DL off the Philippines: 30 Killed.” Accessed 12-28-2023 at:

https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-douglas-c-47a-35-dl-philippines-30-killed