–8 USN PV-1 Ventura, Naval Air Station, Deland, FL

–7 USAAF B-24E approach crash (left engines failed), 5M east of Bakersfield, CA

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-3-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

1^st crash: USN PV-1 Ventura crash, Naval Air Station DeLand, FL

–8 Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (30147 to 39998). 10-11-2009.[1]

–8 Aviation Arch. I & R. “USN Lockheed PV Ventura & Harpoon Accident Reports.”

–8 Bradford Era, PA. “Eight Die in Plane Crash at Naval Depot.” 7-8-1943, p. 1.

Aviation Archaeological Investigation & Research: “USN Lockheed PV Ventura & Harpoon Accident Reports.”

“430705 [date]. PV-1. 33419 [Bureau Number]. VB-134 [Squadron]…NAAF Boca Chica [Base]… [Pilot] Barnes, Richard R….FL NAS Deland. Shifting base to NAAS Boca Chica. Webster, Fred L.; Feeley, Howard T.; Sheftel, Norman E.; Lovette, Norris A.; Kennett, Herbert W.; McCleanahan, Hugh K. Jr.; Piasecki, Frank E. [passengers].”

Baugher: “Lockheed PV-1 Ventura….33419 (VB-134) w/o NAS Deland, Fl 5-Jul-43. Spun-in on take-off. l8 killed.” (Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (30147 to 39998). 10-11-2009 rev.)

Newspapers

Associated Press: “Deland, Fla., July 7 – (AP) – Names of eight men, four of them officers, who died in the crash of their plane at the Deland Naval Air station Monday morning were released today by Naval officials. The crash occurred as the plane was taking off on a routine flight. All occupants perished in flames. The dead included: Hugh King McClenahan, Jr., Aviation Machinists Mate third class, next of kin H. K. McClenahan, Sharon, Penna.” (Bradford Era, PA. “Eight Die in Plane Crash at Naval Depot.” 7-8-1943, p. 1.)

Lowell Sun, MA: “Lowell – A routine training flight over Florida ended the Independence Day week-end tragically for a 23-year-old Lowell flier, primed and ready to go overseas for foreign duly. He Is Ensign Fred L. Webster, Jr., A.V.N., U.S.N.R., who crashed to his death at Deland, Fla., Monday [July 5], according to a telegram received here last night by his parents… No details of the crash were included in the telegram…” (Lowell Sun, MA. “Lowell Ensign Killed in Plane Crash.” 7-7-1943, p. 1.)

New Castle News, PA: “Sharon, Pa., July 8 – Victim of a heart condition aggravated by the death of his son in an airplane crash at Deland Naval Air Station in Florida Monday, Hugh K. McClenahan, Sharon, automobile dealer, died at his home in Cedar avenue Wednesday afternoon. The son, Aviation Machinist’s Mate Hugh McClenahan, 22, was one of eight navy filers killed in the Florida accident, which occurred while their plane was taking off from the air station. “News of the tragedy was not received by his parents here until late Tuesday, when his father, ill for the past month, suffered a serious relapse…..” (New Castle News, PA. “News of Son’s Death in Crash Fatal to Father.” 70801943, p. 10.)

The Robesonian: “The body of Norris Lovett, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Lovett, 320 East Third street, who was killed in an airplane crash at Deland, Fla. On Monday of this week, is scheduled to arrive in Fayetteville Friday. The Biggs Funeral home will immediately bring the body to Lumberton, it was stated today….Young Lovett, who was attached to the Navy Air Corps as a mechanic, was one of the victims of a bomber crash Monday when the big ship was said to have crashed and burst into flames shortly after it had taken off from the flying field near the Florida city. Few details are known of the tragedy, the father having been notified merely of his son’s death in the accident. The young man, well known among his school mates in Lumberton, had been in the Navy for about three years and had been on a ship until a few months ago when he was assigned as ground chief at the Deland air base….” (The Robesonian, Lumberton, NC. “Lovett Funeral Saturday at 4 P.M.” 7-8-1943, p. 1.)

On the Deland Naval Air Station: “The City of DeLand started the airport in the 1920s with the first asphalt runway built around 1936. The Navy came to DeLand in 1941 and the City donated the airport to the Navy and the Navy bought additional property around it encompassing what is now the DeLand airport. The Navy base was opened in November 1942. Bomber squadrons patrolled the coast of Florida for submarines. Trained pilots came here to team with a gunner and they trained together to dive bomb using the SBD Douglas Dauntless aircraft. The men were shipped out after their 3 month training period. The SBDs are credited with sinking four Japanese aircraft carriers and helped to win the war at Midway. The DeLand Naval Air Station was officially closed in March of 1946 and the Navy returned the entire field over to the City of DeLand.” (DeLand Naval Air Station Museum. “History.”)

2^nd crash: USAAF B-24E Liberator:

Baugher: ““Consolidated B-24E-20-CF Liberator c/n 35/53 29044 crashed Jul 5, 1943, 5 mi east of Bakersfield, CA. 7 killed, 2 injured. Crashed on approach, believed to be out of fuel.” (Baugher, Joseph F. 1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-24340 to 41-30847). 9-12-2011 revision.)

Newspaper

July 6, Bakersfield Californian: “Army officials today are probing the possible cause for failure of the two left motors of the giant B-24 Liberator bomber which crashed to earth yesterday killing seven men and seriously injuring two, approximately 1 mile east of the Kern County Airport at 3:50 a.m. The two survivors, now at Minter Field hospital, were thrown clear of the plane and thus saved from the flames which burnt the rest of the occupants beyond recognition. The condition of one is given as improved and both are expected to live.

“The crash occurred just after the take-off from the local field as the great plane was circling to gain altitude. Two witnesses of the crash, John McNaughton and Phil Markle, refinery workers, reported it to authorities. Police, fire and ambulance trucks were rushed to the scene.

“Failure of the two left motors of the plane were given as the cause of the accident. The great plane burst into flames upon striking the ground and burned four of the victims. Three other crew members were thrown clear but fatally injured by the fall.

“The bodies of the soldiers are at Greenlawn Memorial Park pending notification of the relatives by officers of the Thirty-fourth Bombardment Group at the Salinas Air Base which was the home base of the giant bomber. Army authorities have not yet disclosed the names of the occupants pending notification of the next of kin and investigation of the crash.” (Bakersfield Californian. “Crash of Bomber is Probed.” 7-6-1944, p. 7.)

Sources

Aviation Archaeological Investigation & Research: “USN Lockheed PV Ventura & Harpoon Accident Reports.” [Lost link]

Bakersfield Californian. “Crash of Bomber is Probed.” 7-6-1944, p. 7. Accessed 5-4-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bakersfield-californian-jul-06-1943-p-7/

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

Bradford Era, PA. “Eight Die in Plane Crash at Naval Depot.” 7-8-1943, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=140366602

Lowell Sun, MA. “Lowell Ensign Killed in Plane Crash.” 7-7-1943, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=63127606

New Castle News, PA. “News of Son’s Death in Crash Fatal to Father.” 7-8-1943, p. 10. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=57591216

[1] We are assuming the notation of 18 fatalities is a typographical error – other sources listing 8.

1943 — July 5, US planes crash; USN PV-1, NAS Deland FL; USAAF B-24, Bakersfield, CA–15