Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 10 April 1945
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47A-75-DL (DC-3)
Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
Registration Number: 42-101020
Location: Wenigenlupnitz Advanced Landing Ground R-1 (EIB) –
ÿ Germany
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5
Component Affected: Aircraft (C-47)Aircraft (C-47)
A resupply formation, consisting of the aircraft 42-101020, was approaching Wenigenlupnitz Advanced Landing Ground R-1 in Germany. A red flare was fired, causing the pilot to initiate a second approach. The aircraft was struck by fire from enemy fighter planes, resulting in smoke and flames damaging the ground. The C-47 aircraft sustained damage and burst into flames.A resupply formation, consisting of the aircraft 42-101020, was approaching Wenigenlupnitz Advanced Landing Ground R-1 in Germany. A red flare was fired, causing the pilot to initiate a second approach. The aircraft was struck by fire from enemy fighter planes, resulting in smoke and flames damaging the ground. The C-47 aircraft sustained damage and burst into flames.
Description
The lead airplane of a resupply formation, 42-101020, was on the final approach to Wenigenlupnitz Advanced Landing Ground R-1, Germany about to land when the control personnel shot a red flare, so the pilot pulled up and went again to make another approach. The other aircraft landed safely but 42-101020 was hit by fire from enemy fighter planes. Trailing smoke the C-47 hit the ground and burst into flames.
Primary Cause
Flare firing by control personnel.Flare firing by control personnel.Share on:
