1945 — Aug 28, USAAF C-47, Philippines for Okinawa-Naha AFB, enters storm front, lost–19

Compiled 12-26-2023 by Wayne Blanchard for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–19  Aviation Safety Network. USAAF C-47 enters storm front 250M off Okinawa, lost, 8-28-1945.

–19  Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. “Crash of …C-47A…Pacific Ocean: 19 Killed.”

 Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 116:

“Date:                          Tuesday 28 August 1945

“Type:                         Douglas C-47A-70-DL (DC-3)

“Operator:                   United States Army Air Force – USAAF

“Registration:              42-100717

“MSN:                         19180

“First flight:                1943

“Crew:                         Fatalities:   5 / Occupants:   5

“Passengers:                Fatalities: 14 / Occupants: 14

“Total:                         Fatalities: 19 / Occupants: 19

“Aircraft damage:       Missing ….

“Location:                   400 km (250 mls) off Okinawa, Japan (Pacific Ocean)

“Phase:                        en route (ENR)

“Nature:                      Military

“Departure airport:      Laoag Airport…Philippines

“Destination airport:   Okinawa-Naha AFB…Japan

“Narrative:

“The C-47A transport plane was en route over sea together with another C-47 heading for Okinawa, Japan. Some 250 miles from Okinawa both aircraft encountered a storm or squall line. The lead aircraft, 42-100717, went into the clouds and was never seen again. The second plane decided to go around the weather.

“Probable Cause: It is believed that the plane encountered violent turbulence that put it out of control and caused it to crash at sea.”

Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives:

“Date & Time:                         Aug 28, 1945

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

“Operator:                   USAAF

“Registration:              42-100717

“Flight Phase:              Flight

“Flight Type:               Military

“Survivors:                  No ….

“Schedule:                   Laoag – Naha

“MSN:                         19180

“YOM:                        1943

“Location:                   Pacific Ocean ….

“Crew on board:         5

“Crew fatalities:          5

“Pax on board:                        14

“Pax fatalities:             14 ….

“Total fatalities:          19

“Circumstances:          While cruising about 250 miles southwest off Okinawa, the weather

conditions worsened with a squall line, thunderstorm activity and

turbulence. The aircraft went through this low pressure area and control was

lost. The aircraft crashed into the sea and was lost. No trace of the aircraft

nor the 19 occupants was found.

“Crew:

1st Lt Kenneth D. Eyden,
Pfc Gary J. Gryce,
1st Lt Joseph F. Miller,
1st Lt Samuel S. Proffitt,
S/Sgt Sumner Walker.
Passengers:
Cpl Peter C. Brown,
Pfc Phillip T. Fowler,
Cpl Royal E. Fritz,
Pfc Oscar C. Gibbs,
Pfc Edmon Gibson,
Pfc James L. Greenwood,
Pfc Charlie L. Mason,
S/Sgt Albert D. Salvato,
Pvt Jerry T. Terry,
Sgt Robert Thomas,
Pvt Earl Thompson,
Pvt Seivern M. Walker,
Sgt John W. Watson,
Pvt Matthews B. Wynn.         

“Probable cause:         Loss of control in flight caused by severe turbulence.”

Sources

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 116. USAAF C-47 enters storm front 250M off Okinawa, lost, 8-28-1945. Accessed 12-26-2023 at:

https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19450828-0

Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. “Crash of a Douglas C-47A-70-DL into the Pacific Ocean: 19 Killed.” Accessed 12-26-2023 at:

https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-douglas-c-47a-70-dl-pacific-ocean-19-killed