1944 — Jan 20, USN PB4Y1 Liberator takeoff crash, engine failure, Camp Kearny, CA– 13

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-14-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

 –13  ASN. ASN Wikibase Occurrence #81177. USN Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator. 1-20-1944

–13  Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (30147 to 39998). 10-29-2011 rev.)

–13  CA State Mil. Dept. The California State Military Museum. “Historic California Posts…”

–13  Hamilton Daily News Journal, OH. “Two Ohioans Killed in Bomber Crash.” 1-22-1944, 1.

–13  Salt Lake Tribune, UT.  “U.S.  Reports Utahn Dead, Three Missing.” 1-22-1944, p. 22.

–13  San Mateo Times, CA.  “13 Die in Navy Air Crash in San Diego.” 1-21-1944, p. 1.

–13  VPNavy.org.  U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons.  “VP-101 Mishap, 1940’s.” 

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network: “20-Jan-1944. Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator. US Navy. 32163…. Crashed due to engine failure on takeoff Camp Kearney, CA. 13 killed.” (Aviation Safety Network. Wikibase Occurrence #81177. USN Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator. 20 Jan 1944.)

Baugher: “Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator….32163 (ex USAAF B-24D 42-72889, VB-101) crashed due to engine failure on takeoff Camp Kearney, CA 1/20/1944.  13 killed.”  (Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (30147 to 39998). 10-29-2011 revision.)

California State Military Department: “On January 20, 1944, Camp Kearny lost its first PB4Y when an aircraft of VB-101 crashed after takeoff killing its 13-man crew.”  (The California State Military Museum. “Historic California Posts. Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar.”)

VPNavy.org: “20 JAN 44 A/C: PB4Y-1.  Location: Camp Kearney, Cal Strike: No BUNO: 32163 Cause: Navigation and gunnery training; After take-off gear was retracted and aircraft entered a slow left turn to conform with traffic pattern. While in turn, the #1 engine was heard sputtering and subsequently was seen to feather.  Aircraft continued into the turn in a circling attitude and wing flaps remained in take-off twenty degree position.  One mile off end of the runway at an altitude of two-hundred and fifty feet, the plane stalled and spun to the left, making one full turn before striking ground in a flat attitude. “Strike” Crew & passengers killed: Pilot Philip Arthur Nelson A-V(N) USNR, Ens. William Otis McKeithen A-V(S) USNR, Ens. Richard Conrad Fette A-V(N) USNR, Ens. Ralph Charles Runels A-V(N) USNR, Amm2c Harlan Wilton Barnes USNR, Sea1c Jack Herbert Ring USNR, Aom3c Thomas Frederick Bastinsen USNR, Rm3c Jerome Wyman Knight, Jr. USN, Amm2c Harry William Walker USNR, Rm2c Samuel Edward Pugh USNR, Amm2c Donald Quincy Williams USN, Sea1c Alex Junior Brown USNR, and Amm3c Henry Marion Roush USNR.”[1] (VPNavy.org.  U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons.  “VP-101 Mishap, 1940’s.”)

Newspapers

Jan 21: “San Diego, Jan 21. – (UP) — The Eleventh naval district today announced names of four navy officers and nine enlisted men who were killed yesterday when their Liberator bomber crashed and burst into flames as they were taking off on a routine flight from Camp Kearny air field.”  (San Mateo Times, CA.  “13 Die in Navy Air Crash in San Diego.” 1-21-1944, p. 1.)

Jan 22: “San Diego, Calif., Jan 22. (AP) – Two Ohioans were among 13 men killed Thursday when a navy B-24 Liberator crashed while taking off from Camp Kearny Naval Auxiliary Air station, the Eleventh Naval district headquarters disclosed today.  They are: Lt. Philip Arthur Nelson, of Euclid, and Wilton Harlan Barnes, aviation machinist’s mate second class, of New Philadelphia.” (Hamilton Daily News Journal, OH. “Two Ohioans Killed in Bomber Crash.” 1-22-1944, p. 1.)

Jan 22: “One Utahn has been killed and three are missing in action, according to information released Friday by the war department… Killed.  Samuel Edward Pugh, Kanab…Mr. Pugh was reported one of four navy officers and nine enlisted men killed Thursday when their Liberator bomber crashed and burst into flames near Camp Kearny, Cal….” (Salt Lake Tribune, UT.  “U.S.  Reports Utahn Dead, Three Missing.” 1-22-1944, pp. 15 and 22.)

Sources

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1944. ASN Wikibase Occurrence #81177. US Navy Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator. 20 Jan 1944.

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (30147 to 39998). 8-6-2012 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries4.html

California State Military Department. The California State Military Museum. “Historic California Posts. Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar.” Accessed 11-29-2011 at:  http://www.militarymuseum.org/MCASMiramar.html

Hamilton Daily News Journal, OH.  “Two Ohioans Killed in Bomber Crash.” 1-22-1944, p. 1. Accessed 4-14-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hamilton-daily-news-journal-jan-22-1944-p-1/

Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “U.S. Reports Utahn Dead, Three Missing [Camp Kearny Plane Crash].” 1-22-1944, p. 22. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=89766835

San Mateo Times, CA. “13 Die in Navy Air Crash in San Diego.” 1-21-1944, p. 1. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=37339003

VPNavy.org. U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons. “VP-101 Mishap, 1940’s.” Accessed 11-30-2011 at:  http://www.vpnavy.org/vp101_mishap.html

[1] Cites Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net, 29 Aug 2001.