1942 – July 18, USAAF B-17B left wing failure and crash near North Reading, MA — 10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 6-8-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 Mireles. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents in…US (Vol. 1: 1941-June 1943), 2006, p. 116.
–10 New England Aviation History. “Nort Reading, Massachusetts – July 18, 1942.” 1-24-2022
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 1520, a Boeing B-17B flying in instrument conditions suffered a structural failure of the port wing and crashed into the Harold Parker State Forest near North Reading, Massachusetts, killing the crew of ten. Weather in the area at the time was reported as “Overcast, ceiling about 500 feet and drizzle. A low, heavy scud extended down to within 50 feet of the ground, creating a zero ceiling with visibility of less than one- half mile. The top was between 4,000 and 3,500 feet.” The port wing separated from the aircraft and was found impaled on a tree a considerable distance from the main wreckage. The aircraft, rolling to the left, plunged to the ground in a near vertical dive on the slope of a wooded hill at a speed estimated to be around 350 mph, shattering large trees as it careened for 100 yards, exploding into flames and scattering wreckage and body parts over a wide area.
“The Accident Classification Committee stated, “A probable conclusion is that the pilot was making a let down through the overcast, developing excessive airspeed….the wing section let go. Evidence from debris picked up in the flight path indicate wing vibration due to wing flutter, losing first the aileron, second, the wing from the outboard motor to the tip. The altitude must have been over 500 feet.”
“…. The B-17 was en route to the AAF Depot at Middletown, Pennsylvania, from its duty station at Gander, Newfoundland, for an ordered equipment update…,
“Killed in the crash were: [We place the following names into separate lines.]
1Lt. Marion R. Klice, pilot;
1Lt. Don H. Hohnson, cp-pilot;
1Lt. James N. Phillips, bombardie4r;
2Lt. O. D. Andrews, navigator;
Sgt. William E. Perkins, engineer;
Cpl. William Bilocur, radio operator;
Cpl. C. H. Torrance, assistant radio operator;
Pfc. F. S. Koltrun, assistant engineer;
MSgt. Archie R. Jester, passenger;
SSgt. Robert J. Aulsbury, passenger.
“The B-17 was en route to the AAF Depot at Middletown, Pennsylvania, from its duty station at Gander, Newfoundland, for an ordered equipment update.” (Mireles 2006, p. 116.)
New England Aviation History. “Nort Reading, Massachusetts – July 18, 1942.” 1-24-2022:
“On July 18, 1942, a B-17B “Flying Fortress”, (Ser. No. 39-8), left its base in Grander, Newfoundland, bound for Middletown, Pennsylvania, to have some equipment updated. While passing over Massachusetts the aircraft encountered thick clouds and ground fog. It was speculated that the while the pilot was letting down through the scud the aircraft developed “wing flutter” which caused one of the wings to break away. The plane went down in a wooded area of North Reading and all aboard perished. The crewmembers were identified as follows: [Essentially the same list as in Mireless, but citing findagrave.com for seven names.]
Sources
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.
New England Aviation History. “Nort Reading, Massachusetts – July 18, 1942. 1-24-2022. Accessed 6-8-2024 at: https://newenglandaviationhistory.com/north-reading-ma-july-18-1942/