Accident description
Last updated: 24 May 2013
| Status: | |
| Date: | 17 JUL 1943 |
| Type: | Douglas C-47-DL |
| Operator: | United States Army Air Force - USAAF |
| Registration: | 41-38730 |
| C/n / msn: | 6189 |
| First flight: | |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 |
| Collision casualties: | Fatalities: 4 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off |
| Airplane fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | 16 km (10 mls) N of Grenada AAF, MS (United States of America) |
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Military training |
| Departure airport: | Grenada AAF, MS |
| ? |
Six transport aircraft departed Grenada AAF for a formation training mission. After completing a climb in squadron formation to 1200 feet, the squadron leader signalled for an echelon to the right. The C-47 flying in the third position in the leading element (41-38730) dropped back while flying a cross-over. The C-47 crossed over the leader of the second element and descended upon a C-53 (42-6464), flying in second position. The left wing of the C-47 contacted the fuselage of the other aircraft, just forward of the tail. The C-53 was pushed down. Both planes locked together went up and over on their backs and consequently crashed.
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.
