ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 203637
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| Date: | Saturday 23 December 1944 |
| Time: | |
| Type: |  North American Mitchell II (B-25D) |
| Owner/operator: | Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) |
| Registration: | HD315 |
| MSN: | 100-24109 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | Boundary Bay, British Columbia -
 Canada
|
| Phase: | Take off |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | RCAF Station Boundary Bay, BC |
| RCAF Station Boundary Bay, BC |
On December 23, 1944, F/L R. Clothier was piloting B-25D Mitchell II HD315 of No. 5 Operational Training Unit, at Boundary Bay, BC, when the port engine lost power on takeoff. The Mitchell settled to the ground and swung to the port and finally crashed into a deep ditch some 250 yards off of the end of Runway 25. The aircraft burst into flames killing three of the crew. F/L Clothier was the only survivor, but was severely injured with a broken back. He testified at a court of inquiry that he had not put on his safety harness. This may have saved his life as he was thrown through the front windscreen clear of the burning aircraft. He was not sure if the other members were properly harnessed during the take-off. The investigators stated this may have been the reason for their fatal injuries.
The three airmen killed were:
Flying Officer Thomas L. Walmsley – Navigator
Flying Officer George R. Spencer - Navigator
Corporal Robert E. Dutton - Administration
Sources:
Scramble
http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/s,robertclothier.html
http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/485/Relic-The-Hero-behind-the-Villain.aspx
http://www.nationalpost.com/m/pete+mcmartin+robert+clothier+path+from+courageous/9163030/story.html
Joe Baugher: B-25D USAAF 43-03783, RAF/RCAF Mitchell II HD315
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 31-Dec-2017 15:26 | TB | Added |
| 31-Dec-2017 15:29 | TB | Updated [Location] |
| 19-Aug-2018 20:13 | yukonjack | Updated [Aircraft type, Total fatalities, Total occupants, Location, Phase, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
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