1944 – April 24, USAAF B-24H hits mt. top in instrument cond., 3M east of Epsom, NH–10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-6-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 Bureau of Aircraft Accident Archives. “Crash of a Consolidated B-24H…Epsom; 10…”
–10 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 764.
Narrative Information
Bureau of Aircraft Accident Archives. “Crash of…B-24H Liberator in Epsom; 10 Killed.”
“Date & Time: Apr 24, 1944 at 0904 LT
….
“Registration: 42-5111
“Flight Phase: Takeoff (climb)
“Flight type: Training
“Survivors: 10
….
“Location: Epsom, New Hampshire
….
“Total fatalities: 10
“Circumstances: Shortly after take-off from Grenier Field AFB, Manchester, while climbing,
the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames in a
wooded area located in Epsom, east of Concord. All 10 crew members were
killed.
“Crew: Sgt John L. Edins,
S/Sgt Marion L. Wolfgang,
S/Sgt Anthony L. Ferrone,
2nd Lt James H. Jones,
Sgt Lloyd E. Utley,
Sgt Francis M. Weaver,
Sgt Joseph H. Nagele,
2nd Lt Marvin M. Rupp,
2nd Lt Adath R. Gannon,
2nd Lt William Hunold.”
Mireles: “At 0914 EWT, a Consolidated B-24H flying in instrument conditions collided with rising terrain and crashed three miles east of Epsom, New Hampshire, killing 10 fliers. The airplane took off at 0904 EWT from Grenier Field, New Hampshire, on the first leg of a flight to an active war theater via Goose Bay, Labrador. The airplane was found to have collided with the top of a 1,400-foot mountain. Ceiling was estimated to be at 1,300 feet at the time of the accident. Investigators stated,
[It] was found that the ship had sheared off numerous trees, struck a glancing blow on a rock ledge and bounced off and cut a swath across the top of the mountain for a distance of about 300 yards. From the condition of the wreckage strewn about, it is concluded that the ship exploded immediately after hitting. The condition of the wreckage precluded any possibility of an extensive investigation to determine the cause of the crash but examination of the three available propeller domes showed that none of the propellers to have been feathered…. [It] is the consensus of [the investigative board] that the pilot, after getting up into the cloud layer, elected to attempt to let down in an effort to fly contact. (Mireles 2006, Vol. 2, p. 764.)
Newspapers
Apr 24, AP: “Epsom, N.H., April 24. – (AP) – Between nine and 12 persons were reported killed in the crash of a large airplane into the side of Delight mountain today. Residents who rushed to the scene said there was a terrific explosion and that they saw between nine and 12 bodies in the wreckage. Epsom is approximately 10 to 15 miles east of Concord, the state capital.
“The accident occurred in dense woods area about two miles from mountain road and it was with great difficulty that the searchers were able to reach the scene. Officers and men from Grenier army air field arrived here at noon in command cars and ambulances and prepared to make the difficult trek into the woods.” (Associated Press. “Fear 12 Dead in Air Crash.” The Evening Independent, Massillon OH. 4-24-1944, p. 1.
Sources
Associated Press. “Fear 12 Dead in Air Crash.” The Evening Independent, Massillon OH. 4-24-1944, p. 1. Accessed 4-6-2024: https://newspaperarchive.com/evening-independent-apr-24-1944-p-1/
Bureau of Aircraft Accident Archives. “Crash of a Consolidated B-24H Liberator in Epsom; 10 Killed.” Accessed 4-6-2024 at:
https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-consolidated-b-24h-liberator-epsom-10-killed
Mireles, Anthony J. Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 2: July 1943 – July 1944). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.