1943 — June 27, two USAAF B-25s on nighttime navigational trng. flight crash in GA– 13
–6 USAAF B-25C flies into terrain under cloud-cover 18M NE of Sandersville
–7 USAAF B-25C hits tree flying too-low under clouds 20M NNE of Augusta
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-9-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
Narrative Information
Sandersville area:
Mireles: “6-27-43, Sandersville, Georgia. At approximately 23:00 EWT, a North American B-25C collided with rising terrain 18 miles northeast of Sandersville, Georgia, killing the crew of six. The airplane had been on a night navigation training flight from Columbia Army Air Base, Columbia, South Carolina, to Dadeville, Alabama, and return. The airplane did not return to Columbia and was reported missing. The B-25 was eventually located and identified on 8-31-43. Investigation revealed that the airplane collided with a heavily wooded knoll while flying in instrument conditions. The airplane struck the knoll in a level attitude at about cruise speed, exploding into flames and killing the crew instantly Investigators speculated that the pilot had attempted to maintain visual contact with the ground by flying under the ceiling, estimated to be less than 1,000 feet. Killed in the crash were: [We break narrative into single lines.]
2Lt. Gilbert P. Johnson, pilot;
2Lt. Mourse A. Nielson, co-pilot;
2Lt. Michael R. Rusnak, bombardier/navigator;
SSgt. Daniel Hall, engineer;
Sgt. Joseph E. Redmen, radio operator;
Sgt. Horace S. Bowen, Jr., gunner.” (pp. 419-420)
Aug 31, AP: “Columbia, S.C., Aug. 31 (AP) – The Columbia army air based public relations office said Tuesday that the wreckage of a twin-engined bomber found about 15 miles from Sandersville, Ga., was that of a plane missing from the base since late in June. On July 8 the air base announced that a twin-engined medium bomber with a crew of six aboard had disappeared while on a routine flight June 27.” (Associated Press. “Crews Discover Crashed Plane.” The Salt Lake Tribune, UT. 9-1-1943, p. 3.)
Augusta area:
Mireles: “6-27-43, Augusta, Georgia. At 23:20 EWT, a North American B-25C crashed 20 miles NNE of Augusta, Georgia, killing the crew of seven. Investigators stated
[The airplane] was returning from a routine navigational training flight [from Columbia Army Air Base, Columbia, South Carolina, to Dadeville, Alabama] and about 20 miles NNE of Augusta, Georgia, crashed into a large tree. The airplane struck in a clearing, bounced over some smaller trees and stopped about 500 feet beyond. Parts were scattered along the path and fire followed the crash. It is believed that the pilot was flying low to maintain [visual] contact with occasional reference to instruments due to weather conditions. If he were on instruments he might have failed to check elevation of terrain along the route or failed to allow for altimeter changes.’
“Killed in the crash were: [We break narrative into single lines.]
2Lt. Eugene W. Feldott, pilot;
2Lt. Matt A. Pansky, co-polot;
2nd Lt. Rodney F. Russell, bombardier/navigator;
2Lt. Donald L. Knapp, bombardier/navigator;
SSgt. Ralph Powell, engineer;
SSgt. Donald W. Austin, radio operator;
Sgt. Henry E. Brown, gunner.” (p. 420)
June 28, AP: “Columbia, S.C., June 28 – (AP) – Seven airmen were killed yesterday in the midnight crash 25 miles north of Augusta, Ga., of a medium army bomber from the Columbia air base, Lt. Col. Usher Winslett, Base G-2, said today. An eighth death in connection with the tragedy was recorded early today when an army man from Daniel air field at Augusta was killed in the highway accident of the army car in which he was riding to investigate the bomber crash, but Winslett said details were unavailable to him. Dead in the bomber crash…
Second Lieut. Don Lynwood Knapp, bombardier…Everett, Wash.
Second Lieut. Eugene W. Feldott, pilot…Aurora, Ill.
Second Lieut. Matt A. Pasky, co-pilot…Pittsburgh, Penna.
Second Lieut. Rodney F. Russell, bombardier…Melrose, Mass.
Staff Sgt. Ralph Powell, gunner…Wampum Penna.
Sgt. Henry E. Brown, gunner…Topeka, Kan.
Stf. Sgt. Donald W. Austin, radio-gunner…New York City.
“A board of officers was appointed to investigate the crash.” (Associated Press. “Seven Airmen Die in Bomber.” Gastonia Daily Gazette, NC. 6-28-1943, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Crews Discover Crashed Plane.” The Salt Lake Tribune, UT. 9-1-1943, p. 3. Accessed 5-8-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-tribune-sep-01-1943-p-3/
Associated Press. “Seven Airmen Die in Bomber.” Gastonia Daily Gazette, NC. 6-28-1943, p. 1. Accessed 5-8-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/gastonia-daily-gazette-jun-28-1943-p-1/
Mireles, Anthony J. Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 1: Introduction, January 1941 – June 1943). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.