1943 — July 25, two USAAF B-25s AP approach collision, Santa Fe Beach, Havana, Cuba-12

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-22-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–12  AP. “Two U.S. bombers collide over Cuban Capital.” Galveston Daily News, TX. 7-26-1943, 1.

–12  Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation. USAAF B-25 bombers collide 7-25-43

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation. USAAF B-25 bombers collide, Cuba:

“Date:                          Sunday 25 July 1943              Time:   09:55

“Type:                         North American B-25D Mitchell

“Owner/operator:        United States Army Air Forces (USAAF)

“Registration:              41-30266

“Fatalities:                   Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6

“Other fatalities:         6  [B-25 41-30228]

“Phase:                        Approach

“Nature:                      Military

“Departure airport:      Batista Airfield San Antonio Havana [Built and used by U.S. in 1942.]

“Destination airport:   Batista Airfield San Antonio Havana [About 30M SW of Havana.]

“Narrative:

“Two B-25D bombers in a three bombers formation. One plane made a shallow turn and went out of control, hitting B25 41-30228 and both crashed into the sea.”

Newspaper

July 25, AP: “Havana, July 25. AP. Two American B-25 bombers starting on a patrol today collided in midair 2000-feet above Cuban army headquarters, killing 12 American airmen. The planes were loaded with bombs, and some of the crewmen might have saved their lives by jettisoning the high explosives on the crowded beaches or army headquarters, but they tried to make crash landings at sea and the planes blew up. Only one of the 12 bodies had been recovered several hours after the accident.” (Associated Press. “Two U.S. Bombers Collide Over Cuban Capital.” Galveston Daily News, TX. 7-26-1943, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Two U.S. Bombers Collide Over Cuban Capital.” Galveston Daily News, TX. 7-26-1943, 1. Accessed 5-22-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-jul-26-1943-p-1/

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation. USAAF B-25 bombers collide, Havana Cuba, 7-25-1943 (ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 111864). Accessed 5-22-2024 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/111864