Consolidated B-24 Liberator accident at Birkenhead, United Kingdom, 18 Oct 1944 (42-50347)
On October 18, 1944, a Consolidated B-24 Liberator (registration 42-50347) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Birkenhead, United Kingdom in flight. 24 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: At the time of the accident, the cloud base was at 1,000 feet with an estimated horizontal visibility up to 7 miles. Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the explosion that cause the in flight disintegration of the aircraft. 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
At the time of the accident, the cloud base was at 1,000 feet with an estimated horizontal visibility up to 7 miles. Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the explosion that cause the in flight disintegration of the aircraft. Furthermore, the assumption that the aircraft would have suffered a structural failure was not ruled out. Finally, investigations have been able to determine that no mechanical failure and no fire occurred prior to the final impact.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
While cruising at an altitude of 6,000 feet, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with heavy rain falls and turbulence. The four engine bomber exploded in mid-air and dove into the ground before crashing in a field in a huge explosion. All 24 occupants were killed. Crew: William Driscoll, Harold W. Olsen, J. P. Hennessy, Roy W. Sechler, Reginald H. Gehman. Passengers: Vincent P. Hamilton, William F. Price, Richard M. Blake, Edward F. Brick, George J. Leary, Roland F. Mosher, Stephen J. Nagy, Clesen H. Tenney, Loran A. Umpleby, Ralph G. Wills, Robert E. Boyd, James E. Patterson, Robert L. Marshall, Flyod K. Relyea, Joseph L. Arrigotti, Albert Engasser, Frederick L. Mootz, George S. Moss, Clarence K. Smith.
Probable cause (official findings): At the time of the accident, the cloud base was at 1,000 feet with an estimated horizontal visibility up to 7 miles. Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the explosion that cause the in flight disintegration of the aircraft. Furthermore, the assumption that the aircraft would have suffered a structural failure was not ruled out. Finally, investigations have been able to determine that no mechanical failure and no fire occurred prior to the final impact.