Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress accident at North Reading, United States of America, 18 Jul 1942 (39-008)
On July 18, 1942, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (registration 39-008) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near North Reading, United States of America during landing or approach. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was the consequence of a phenomenon called ‘flutter’ that may have caused one of the airplane’s wings to fall off on its descent. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
The accident was the consequence of a phenomenon called ‘flutter’ that may have caused one of the airplane’s wings to fall off on its descent. Further supporting this theory was the fact that an undamaged wing was found a significant distance away from the wreckage.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The airplane departed Gander Airport to be transferred to the Johnsonville Naval Air Development Center located in Warminster, about 30 km north of Philadelphia, to be retrofitted with the latest armament. Flying over North Reading, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and apparently attempted an emergency landing when the airplane collided with the chimney of a house and crashed in a dense wooded area. The airplane was totally destroyed and all 10 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was poor due to foggy conditions. Crew: 1st Lt Marion R. Klyce, pilot, 1st Lt Don H. Johnson Jr., pilot, 2nd Lt Orville D. Andrews, navigator, 1st Lt James Phillips Jr., bombardier, S/Sgt William E. Perkins, flight engineer, Pfc Sidney S. Koltun, assistant flight engineer, Cpl Stephen Bilocur, radio operator, Cpl Charles H. Torrence, assistant radio operator. Passengers: S/Sgt Robert J. Aulsbury, T/Sgt Archie R. Jester Jr.
Probable cause (official findings): The accident was the consequence of a phenomenon called ‘flutter’ that may have caused one of the airplane’s wings to fall off on its descent. Further supporting this theory was the fact that an undamaged wing was found a significant distance away from the wreckage.