Barksdale - Portland

The crew was completing a flight from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. While descending to Portland, the visibility was reduced due to fog and the crew was unable to localize the airfield and the runway. On approach, the aircraft crashed in a huge ball of fire in the Redbank Trailer Park. Both pilots and 18 people on the ground (mothers and their children) were killed. Less than one month later, one of the survivor died from his injuries.

Flight / Schedule

Barksdale - Portland

Registration

43-22253

MSN

18400

Date

July 11, 1944 at 04:40 PM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Military

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

City

Crash Location

Portland Maine

Region

North America • United States of America

Coordinates

43.6574°, -70.2587°

Crash Cause

Weather

Narrative Report

On July 11, 1944 at 04:40 PM, Barksdale - Portland experienced a crash involving Douglas A-26 Invader, operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF, with the event recorded near Portland Maine.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a city crash site.

2 people were known to be on board, 21 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 1050.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 19.

The listed crash cause is weather. The crew was completing a flight from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. While descending to Portland, the visibility was reduced due to fog and the crew was unable to localize the airfield and the runway. On approach, the aircraft crashed in a huge ball of fire in the Redbank Trailer Park. Both pilots and 18 people on the ground (mothers and their children) were killed. Less than one month later, one of the survivor died from his injuries.

Aircraft reference details include registration 43-22253, MSN 18400.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 43.6574°, -70.2587°.

Fatalities

Total

21

Crew

2

Passengers

0

Other

19

Crash Summary

The crew was completing a flight from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. While descending to Portland, the visibility was reduced due to fog and the crew was unable to localize the airfield and the runway. On approach, the aircraft crashed in a huge ball of fire in the Redbank Trailer Park. Both pilots and 18 people on the ground (mothers and their children) were killed. Less than one month later, one of the survivor died from his injuries.

Cause: Weather

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

2

Passengers On Board

0

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

1050.0%

Known people on board: 2

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Barksdale - Portland

Flight Type

Military

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

City

Region / Country

North America • United States of America

Aircraft Details

Registration

43-22253

MSN

18400

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