Abbotsford - Abbotsford
Flight / Schedule
Abbotsford - Abbotsford
Aircraft
Consolidated B-24 LiberatorRegistration
KG880
MSN
976
Operator
Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAFDate
July 3, 1945 at 11:35 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Training
Flight Phase
Taxiing
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Abbotsford British Columbia
Region
North America • Canada
Coordinates
49.0113°, -122.2662°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On July 3, 1945 at 11:35 PM, Abbotsford - Abbotsford experienced a crash involving Consolidated B-24 Liberator, operated by Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF, with the event recorded near Abbotsford British Columbia.
The flight was categorized as training and the reported phase was taxiing at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
4 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 1 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 75.0%.
Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The crew was engaged in a local training mission and was authorized to line up on runway 18. For unknown reason, the captain lined up on runway 12 and started the takeoff roll despite the fact he did not receive any permission. Another RCAF Consolidated B-24J Liberator (registered KG880 and carrying a crew of four) was taxiing on runway 12 to reach its parking place. The Liberator KH107 collided with KG880 while taking off. Both aircraft exploded and were totally destroyed. On board KG880, a crew member survived while three others were killed. On board KH107, six crewmen were killed while five others were seriously injured. Crew killed in KH107 were: P/O T. Batley, pilot, P/O A. K. Allen, copilot, F/O G. W. Morris, navigator, Sgt A. C. Suggate, wireless operator and air gunner, P/O P. F. Gunter, bomb aimer, Sgt R. H. Avery, wireless operator and air gunner. Crew killed in KG880 were: F/Lt J. A. Sinclair, pilot, Sgt J. E. Thomas, copilot, Sgt J. W. Murphy, wireless operator and air gunner.
Aircraft reference details include registration KG880, MSN 976.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 49.0113°, -122.2662°.
Fatalities
Total
3
Crew
3
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
The crew was engaged in a local training mission and was authorized to line up on runway 18. For unknown reason, the captain lined up on runway 12 and started the takeoff roll despite the fact he did not receive any permission. Another RCAF Consolidated B-24J Liberator (registered KG880 and carrying a crew of four) was taxiing on runway 12 to reach its parking place. The Liberator KH107 collided with KG880 while taking off. Both aircraft exploded and were totally destroyed. On board KG880, a crew member survived while three others were killed. On board KH107, six crewmen were killed while five others were seriously injured. Crew killed in KH107 were: P/O T. Batley, pilot, P/O A. K. Allen, copilot, F/O G. W. Morris, navigator, Sgt A. C. Suggate, wireless operator and air gunner, P/O P. F. Gunter, bomb aimer, Sgt R. H. Avery, wireless operator and air gunner. Crew killed in KG880 were: F/Lt J. A. Sinclair, pilot, Sgt J. E. Thomas, copilot, Sgt J. W. Murphy, wireless operator and air gunner.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
4
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
1
Fatality Rate
75.0%
Known people on board: 4
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Abbotsford - Abbotsford
Operator
Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAFFlight Type
Training
Flight Phase
Taxiing
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
North America • Canada
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF
Avro 504
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local training flight at Camp Borden Airport. The airplane crashed on takeoff. The pilot was rescued.
Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF
De Havilland DH.9
Crashed in unknown circumstances.
Canadian Aircraft Company
Avro 504
On approach to Fort Frances, the aircraft stalled and crashed. Both occupants were injured.
Bishop-Barker Aeroplanes
Curtiss HS-2L
Hit tree tops and crashed in Brooklin, north of Oshawa, Ontario. Crew fate unknown.
Vancouver Island Aerial Service
Curtiss JN-4
En route from Alert Bay to Prince Rupert, the pilot Lt Harry W. Brown encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to ditch the aircraft off Nalau Island. He survived by paddling a log into the shipping lane and was picked up by a passing Alaskan steamer. The aircraft was lost.
Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF
De Havilland DH.9
Crashed in unknown circumstances. Crew fate unknown.
