1945 – Jan 15, USN R4D-5 & USAAF Stinson collide on runway, Tacloban AP, Philippines–21

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/  Last edit 12-16-2023.

 –21  ASN. USN R4D-5 crash after collision with USAAF Stinson off end of runway, Philippines, 1-15-1945.

–21  Baugher. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (10317 to 21191). 7-9-2023 rev.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network (ASN), Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945:

“Date:                          Monday 15 January 1945

“Type:                         Douglas R4D-5 (DC-3)

“Operator:                   United States Navy

“Registration:              17234

“MSN:                         13596

“First flight:                 1944

“Crew:                         Fatalities:   5 / Occupants:   5

“Passengers:                Fatalities: 16 / Occupants: 16

“Total:                         Fatalities: 21 / Occupants: 21

….

“Location:                   Tacloban Airport (TAC) (Philippines) [Philippines was liberated 10-20-1944.]

“Phase:                        Takeoff

“Nature:                       Military

“Departure airport:      Tacloban Airport…Philippines

“Destination airport:    ?

“Narrative:

“Crashed following midair collision with USAAF Stinson L-5 (42-99165) off end of the runway. The R4D-5 operated on a flight to evacuate wounded men, high priority passengers, cargo and mail.

“Those lost were:

“Crew:

Lt. Bridwell J. McKnight (pilot)
Lt. Donald W. Huegel (co-pilot)
Lt. George A. Danner (navigator)
Sp(V)3c James R. Reynolds (orderly)
ARM1c Hugh G. Ballantyne (radio man)

Passengers:

Lt Com. C.H. Mattson
Lt. Com. G.W. Pease
Lt. E.J. Detmer
Lt. Winfield V. Scott, Jr S(A)
Ens. M.L. Naylor
Ens. N.J. Roccaforte
RhM1c G.M. Pangalos
SK1c F. Hold
PhM2c A.D. Nonsley
PhM2c O.F. Blizzard
PhM2c J.B. Hayden
PhM3c H.E. Dickinson
PhM3c J.C. Raines
PhM3c W.E. Seeling
PhM3c S.D. Stroul
ARM3c M.M. King.”

Baugher: “….Douglas R4D-5….17234 (MSSN 13596 ex USAAF 42-93660. To US Navy 15Jun44. NATS 23Jun44. VR-13 Aug 44. (VR-13 in midair collision with USAAF L-5 off end of runway of Tacloban Airstrip, Leyte, Philippines Jan 15, 1945. 21 killed.” (Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (10317 to 21191). 7-9-2023 revision.)

Sources

Aviation Safety Network. Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945. USN R4D-5 crash after collision with USAAF Stinson off end of runway, Philippines, 1-15-1945. Accessed 12-16-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19450115-3

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (10317 to 21191). 7-9-2023 revision. Accessed 12-16-2023 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries2.html