Date:	Friday 21 July 1944
Time:	22:00
Type:	Douglas C-47A-DL (DC-3)
Owner/operator:	United States Army Air Force - USAAF
Registration:	43-30664
MSN:	13815
Year of manufacture:	1943
Engine model:	Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5
Aircraft damage:	Aircraft missing, written off
Category:	Accident
Location:	ca 40 km SE off Cape Fear, NC, USA -   United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Military
Departure airport:
Destination airport:

Narrative:
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.

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

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