FK138
Flight / Schedule
FK138
Aircraft
Martin B-26 MarauderRegistration
FK138
MSN
7379
Year of Manufacture
1941
Operator
Royal Air Force - RAFDate
September 21, 1944 at 12:00 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Grottaglie All Italy
Region
Europe • Italy
Narrative Report
On September 21, 1944 at 12:00 PM, FK138 experienced a crash involving Martin B-26 Marauder, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, with the event recorded near Grottaglie All Italy.
The flight was categorized as survey / patrol / reconnaissance and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
6 people were known to be on board, 6 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 6, crew fatalities: 6, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
Shortly after take off, while in initial climb, the aircraft hit power cables and crashed in a huge explosion. All six crew members were killed. Crew (14th Squadron): W/O Frank Elliott, pilot, Sgt Alan Keith Stewart, pilot, Sgt James Michael Kahle, navigator, Sgt Ronald Joseph Heller, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt John William Bates, air gunner, F/Sgt Cyril Mervyn Taylor, air gunner.
Aircraft reference details include registration FK138, MSN 7379, year of manufacture 1941.
Fatalities
Total
6
Crew
6
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
Shortly after take off, while in initial climb, the aircraft hit power cables and crashed in a huge explosion. All six crew members were killed. Crew (14th Squadron): W/O Frank Elliott, pilot, Sgt Alan Keith Stewart, pilot, Sgt James Michael Kahle, navigator, Sgt Ronald Joseph Heller, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt John William Bates, air gunner, F/Sgt Cyril Mervyn Taylor, air gunner.
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
6
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 6
Operational Details
Operator
Royal Air Force - RAFFlight Type
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Europe • Italy
Aircraft Details
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