1947 — Dec 11, USAF C-47 (44-76366) Airport Approach Crash, Near Memphis, TN –all 20
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard 10-10-2023 for upload to: https://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–20 AP. “Plane Explodes Near Memphis Killing 20.” Kingsport Times, TN. 12-12-1947, p. 1.
–20 Gero. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, p. 45.
Narrative Information
Gero:
“Date: 11 December 1947 (c.18:10)
“Location: Near Memphis, Tennessee, US
“Operator: US Air Force
“Aircraft type: Douglas C-47 (44-76366)
“All 20 American service personnel aboard perished, including a crew of four, when the twin-engine transport crashed and exploded in a wooded area 31/2 miles (6km) south-south-east of Memphis Municipal Airport, where it was to have landed at the end of a US domestic flight from Biggs Field, near El Paso, Texas. After beginning its let-down, in twilight conditions, the aircraft went into a right-hand spiral and plummeted to earth. Around the time of the crash, the weather conditions in the area consisted of an overcast of 1,700ft (520m) and a visibility of about 4 miles (6.5km) in smoke. The wind was from a north-north-easterly direction at approximately 10 knots. The reasons for the uncontrolled descent were unknown; there was, however, no evidence of pre-impact fire or explosion.” (Gero 1999, p. 45.)
Newspaper
Dec 12, AP: “Memphis, Tenn. – AP – An Army C-47 plane burst into flames with a flash seen two miles away and crashed into an open hillside near here shortly after dark last night, killing at least 20 persons, and possibly 21. The big craft slashed through a small wooded area within two miles of the Memphis Municipal Airport, and twisted into a sage field, scattering bodies and wreckage over a quarter-mile path. Small trees were torn down. In one, a half-open parachute dangled. Twisted masses of metal hung on other limbs and dotted the ground.
“Col. Donald K. Fargo, commanding officer of the 468th Air Forces Base Unit, announced the death toll as 20 – with possibly another body in the wreckage. He said a board was investigating….Fargo said the plane was based at Aberdeen, Md., and had made its last stop at El Paso, Texas, yesterday. It was returning from the West Coast.
“G. V. White said he saw the plane explode and burst into flames from his home two miles away. ‘It wasn’t more than two seconds before it hit the ground,’ he said. Robert Hall, who lives about two and a half miles from the scene of the crash, said he heard the plane ‘laboring real loud’ and saw ‘a flash in the sky.’
“Fargo would not speculate on the cause. The ceiling was reported at 1,700 feet shortly after the crash, which the army said occurred at 6:05 p.m.
“Hundreds of persons flocked to the scene near the Mississippi-Tennessee state line.
“The largest portion of the plane came to rest about three-fourths of a mile away from the nearest road and ambulances had to traverse a muddy field….” (Associated Press. “Plane Explodes Near Memphis Killing 20.” Kingsport Times, TN. 12-12-1947, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Plane Explodes Near Memphis Killing 20.” Kingsport Times, TN. 12-12-1947, p. 1. Accessed 10-10-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-times-dec-12-1947-p-1/
Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. UK and Newbury Park, CA: Patrick Stephens Limited, an imprint of Hayes Publishing, 1999.