1942 – July 30, USAAF/NWA C-73 takeoff crash, Wold-Chamberlain AP, Minneapolis, MN-10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 6-7-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 Mireles. Fatal Army Air (Vol. 1: Introduction, January 1941 – June 1943). 2006, p. 201.
–10 United Press. “10 Dead In Airplane Crash.” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 7-30-1942, p.1.
–10 UP. “Tentative List Of Men Aboard Burned Plane.” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 7-30-1942, p.1.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 1155, a Boeing C-73 (militarized version of the model 247D) crashed on take-off from Wold-Chamberlain Airport, Minneapolis, Minnesota, killing ten crewmembers. The aircraft and crew were on contract to the AAF from Northwest Airlines for ferrying personnel and training. The aircraft struck the ground in a vertical attitude and burst into flames immediately upon impact. The official accident report does not indicate the cause of the accident.” (Mireles 2006, p. 201.)
Newspaper
July 30, UP: “Minneapolis (UP) – Ten Northwest Airlines employes were killed today when a cargo plane under contract to the airline by the army ferrying command crashed and burned a few seconds after its takeoff at Wold-Chamberlain airport. Airline officials said 4½ hours after the crash a careful search of the wreckage failed to reveal any more bodies.
“Witnesses said the plane, which was fully loaded with 270 gallons of gasoline, left the field and climbed steeply to about 2oo feet, when it pancaked to earth, apparently from a power failure. The accident happened about 7:30 a.m. The craft burst into flames immediately, burning the bodies beyond recognition. All but the plane’s tail surfaces was destroyed.
“Airline officials emphasized that the plane was not a passenger carrying transport, but was an early type bi-motored Boeing B-247 model, leased to Northwest by the army ferrying command as a pilot trainer and cargo-carrier.
“Ground crews from the U.S. Naval Reserve Aviation base stationed at the field immediately surrounded the wreckage, refusing to allow even Minneapolis police to approach.
“The 10 bodies were taken to Hennepin county morgue several hours after the crash.
“Three army men escaped death in the crash because there was no room for them on the plane. The three non-commissioned officers had boarded the plane, but just before the takeoff the pilot told them there was no room for them and they would have to get off….
“The plane was piloted by Kenneth Olson, Northwest Airlines employe. The co-pilot was Jack Fisher, Fremont, Ohio, another NWA employe. Officials said the pilot and co-pilot were making a practice flight prior to their examination for advancement from first officer to captain.
“The other passengers were airline employes off duty, who apparently went along for the ride.
“Callen [one of the three bumped NCOs] said the plane took off from the ground and stalled within a few seconds.. ‘It shot up in the air momentarily and then plunged to earth,’ he said. Fifteen seconds later there was an explosion.’….” (United Press. “10 Dead In Airplane Crash.” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 7-30-1942, p. 1.)
- UP. “Tentative List Of Men Aboard Burned Plane.” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 7-30-1942, 1:
“Minneapolis (U.P.) – Northwest Airlines announced that the men believed to be aboard a cargo plane when it crashed today at the Minneapolis airport were:
Roy Josephson, St. Paul.
- D. Husby, St. Paul.
Hubert Wieehman, Minneapolis.
Jas. Painter, St. Paul.
- C. Rose, Minneapolis.
Robert A. Paulson, St. Paul.
Winston A. Luchau, St. Paul.
- O. Larson, Minneapolis,
Kenneth Olson, Minneapolis, pilot.
Jack Fisher, Fremont, O., co-pilot.”
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.
United Press. “10 Dead In Airplane Crash.” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 7-30-1942, p. 1. Accessed 6-8-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brainerd-daily-dispatch-jul-30-1942-p-1/
United Press. “Tentative List Of Men Aboard Burned Plane.” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 7-30-1942, p. 1. Accessed 6-8-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brainerd-daily-dispatch-jul-30-1942-p-1/