Last updated: 29 November 2021
| Status: | |
| Date: | Friday 21 July 1944 |
| Time: | ca 22:00 |
| Type: |  Douglas C-47A-DL (DC-3) |
| Operator: | United States Army Air Force - USAAF |
| Registration: | 43-30664 |
| MSN: | 13815 |
| First flight: | 1943 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5 |
| Aircraft damage: | Missing |
| Aircraft fate: | Presumed damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | ca 40 km SE off Cape Fear, NC, USA ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | ? |
| ? |
A mass flight of 54 Douglas C-47 aircraft was proceeding at an altitude of 500 feet over the Atlantic Ocean. The third squadron consisted of nine aircraft flying in V-formation. Aircraft number 3 of the left element and aircraft 1 and 2 of the right element lost contact with the squadron leader. After running into a rainstorm the squadron leader ordered the aircraft to make a 180-degree turn and reassemble over the coastline.
Despite a three day search no trace of the three aircraft (42-100712, 42-92115, 43-30664) was found.
Possible causes for the accidents are a mid-air collision, stalling in formation or controlled flight into water while on instruments and under influence of vertigo.
Sources:
» Aviation Archaeological Investigation and Research (AAIR)» Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945, Vol. 2: July 1943-July 1944 / Anthony J. Mireles
Photos
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
