ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 48541
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| Date: | Tuesday 9 June 1942 |
| Time: | c. 01:30 LT |
| Type: |  Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress |
| Owner/operator: | 5th Air Force USAAF |
| Registration: | 41-2667 |
| MSN: | 2478 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 11 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | near Whenuapai AFB, Auckland -
 New Zealand
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Whenuapai AB, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Laverton AB, Melbourne, Australia. |
The B-17, nick-named Texas Tornado, had arrived in New Zealand from New Caledonia a few days before.
Commanded by Colonel R.E.Cobb, it carried two passengers; an officer of the US Navy and one from the Free French Navy. Nominally under 435th Bomb Sqn, 19th Bomb Grp, 5th Air Force, USAAF.
Early in the morning of 9/6/42 it took off from Whenuapai to fly to Laverton, Melbourne, Australia.
Moments after becoming airborne the Texas Tornado crashed on farmland not far from the airfield.
It burst into flames and two of the four 500-pound bombs being carried exploded.
All on board the B-17 died in the crash.
Colonel Richard E. Cobb. Pilot.
Captain Joseph Bruce. Co-pilot.
2nd Lieutenant Edward H. Hoffman. Navigator.
Technical Sergeant C.P. Brunson. Wireless Operator.
Technical Sergeant J.F. Lopez. Flight Engineer.
Sergeant Harry Cohn. Gunner.
Corporal James Herriotts. Gunner.
Corporal John R. Clanton. Gunner.
Private Curtis L. Childers. Gunner.
Lieutenant William E. Hurst, US Navy. Passenger.
Captain J.C.A. Gilbert, Free French Navy. Passenger.
R.I.P.
Sources:
1. Various NZ sources.
2. http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1941_1.html
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 28-Nov-2008 23:30 | angels one five | Added |
| 28-Apr-2009 01:16 | angels one five | Updated |
| 27-May-2010 01:12 | angels one five | Updated [Operator, Narrative] |
| 10-Jun-2011 16:42 | angels one five | Updated [Narrative] |
| 26-Aug-2011 17:43 | Uli Elch | Updated [Cn, Operator, Departure airport] |
| 30-Oct-2011 00:45 | angels one five | Updated [Operator, Location, Narrative] |
| 30-Oct-2011 00:47 | angels one five | Updated [Narrative] |
| 09-Jan-2012 19:22 | angels one five | Updated [Time, Operator, Narrative] |
| 15-Aug-2012 06:48 | Nepa | Updated [Time, Operator] |
| 14-Sep-2013 01:51 | angels one five | Updated [Operator, Narrative] |
| 20-Feb-2019 16:35 | stehlik49 | Updated [Operator] |
| 31-Mar-2020 09:28 | Reno Raines | Updated [Operator, Operator] |
| 31-Jul-2020 01:21 | Ron Averes | Updated [Location, Departure airport, Destination airport] |
| 18-Mar-2021 18:40 | Anon. | Updated [Operator, Departure airport, Destination airport, Operator] |
| 16-Jan-2022 04:52 | Ron Averes | Updated [Location] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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