1945 — Apr 11, Two USAAF B-17Fs collide, landing approach, near Jackson AAB, MS– 14
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/ Last edit 12-10-2023.
–14 AP. “14 Fliers Killed Near Jackson as 2 B-29s Collide.” Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville MS, p6.
–14 Joplin Globe, MO. “2 Planes Collide; 14 Aboard Killed.” 4-12-1945, p. 1.
–14 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V3, Aug 1944-Dec 1945, 1047.
Narrative Information
Baugher: “Lockheed/Vega B-17F-40-VE Fortress….6010 involved in midair collision with 42-30633 and crashed near Jackson, MS Apr 11, 1945.” (Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). 10-28-2011 revision.)
Mireles: “At 0007 CWT, two Boeing TB-17F airplanes collided in midair and crashed three miles northeast of Jackson Army Air Base, Jackson, Mississippi, killing 14 fliers. Both airplanes were returning to Jackson Army Air Base after completing separate eight-hour navigation training missions. The two subject airplanes and a third airplane, B-17 #42-6016, were in the traffic pattern. Investigators stated,
[B-17 #42-6016] was cleared to land and B-17 #42-6010 had reported position as on base leg and number two to land. B-17 #4230633 had contacted the tower, and asked for landing instructions but gave no position report…. [It] is apparent that B-17 #42-30633 cut inside of B-17 #426010 on the base leg and struck B-17 #42-6010 while turning on the base leg and letting down from an approximate altitude of 1,500 feet on downwind and 1,000 feet on the base leg. Both witnesses stated that they were able to see only the red running light showing on B-17 #42-6010. The other running lights, passing lights, and recognition lights were apparently not operating. It is the opinion of the board that the pilot of B-17 #42-30633 did not see 13-17 #42-6010, since there was obviously only one running light showing, and that his view was blanked out while turning and letting down from his downwind leg to his base leg. B-17 #42-30633 apparently struck B-17 #42-6010 amidships. Parts of radio equipment normally placed in the mid-section of a B-17 were found tangled in the landing gear of B-17 #42-30633. Both planes burst into flames and fell to the ground within 300 to 400 yards apart from each other.” (Quoted in Mireles 2006, 1047.)
Newspaper
Apr 11, United Press: “Jackson, Miss., April 11. – (UP) — Fourteen men were killed in a collision of two B-17 Flying Fortresses from the Jackson army air base at 12:07 a. m. today about five miles north of the air base, Colonel William H. Garrison, commanding officer, announced. They were members of the 203rd army air force base unit of the Second air force, on detached service from headquarters at Colorado Springs, Colo. Both planes were completely demolished and the seven men aboard each were instantly killed….Cause of the collision is unknown, Colonel Garrison said. Those killed, with next of kin listed, included:
Flight Officer Jack C. Ewing; mother, Mrs. Hattie Rose Ewing, Aline, Okla.
Staff Sergeant Walter L. Lark; mother, Mrs. Nellie M. Lark, Jennings, Mo.
Private August N. Lilienkamp; wife, Mrs. Lorraine. Lilienkamp, St. Louis, Mo.”
(Joplin Globe, MO. “2 Planes Collide; 14 Aboard Killed.” 4-12-1945, p. 1.
April 13, AP: “Jackson, Miss. (AP) – The names of 14 flyers killed shortly after midnight Tuesday in the collision of two B-17 Flying Fortresses were announced last night by Col. William H. Garrison, commanding officer of the Jackson Army Air Base. The men, all members of the 203rd Army Air Base unit of the Second Air Force, on detached service from headquarters at Colorado Springs, were on a training mission. Both planes were demolished. The crash occurred about 15 miles north of the airbase.
“Those killed, with next of kin listed, were:
“Major John F. Cunningham of Milton Junction, Wis. His wife resided with him in Jackson.
“First Lt. George J. Canavan, father, James J. Canavan (1637 South 33rd St.) Milwaukee, Wis.
“First Lt. Charles J. Keathley of Auburndale, Mass.; wife who resided with him in Jackson/
“First Lt. Carl J. Shane, mother, Mrs. Edna Shane (Myrtle Place, Batesville, Ind.
“First Lt. John C. Stevens, sister, Miss Barbara M. Stevens (104 Rosewood St.) Boston, Mass.
“First Lt. Daniel B. Sullivan, father, Benjamin T. Sullivan, (321 Fifths), Ashland, Wis.
“Flight Officer Michael B. Elliott, mother, Mrs. Mary G. Elliott, (11 Bay St.) Potsdam, N.Y.
“Flight Officer Jack E. Ewing, mother, Mrs. Hattie Rose Ewing, (Rural Route) Aline, Okla.
“Flight Officer Harold Lisdell Jr., mother, Mrs. Josephine Lisdell…Mineral Bridge, Ohio.
“Flight Officer Gunter G. E. Trost, father Eqald Trost, (Somerts Ave.) Segreganset, Mass.
“Staff Sgt. George C. Brooks, mother, Mrs. Mary B. Brooks, (Route 3) Owensboro, Ky.
“Staff Sgt. Walter L. Lark, mother, Mrs. Nellie M. Lark, (2839 Glendale Ave.) Jennings, Mo.
“Sgt. Joseph A. Ott, mother Mrs. Margaret Ott, (939 McKnight St.) Reading, Pa.
“Pvt. August N. Lilienkamp, wife, Mrs. Lorraine Lilienkamp, (Wilmington Ave.) St. Louis, Mo.
(Associated Press. “14 Fliers Killed Near Jackson as 2 B-29s Collide.” The Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville MS, p. 6.)
Sources
Associated Press. “14 Fliers Killed Near Jackson as 2 B-29s Collide.” The Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville MS, p. 6. Accessed 12-10-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-delta-democrat-times-apr-13-1945-p-6/
Joplin Globe, MO. “2 Planes Collide; 14 Aboard Killed [Jackson MS].” 4-12-1945, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=1768767
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.