What happened
The incident occurred during the takeoff phase of flight at Amberley Airfield. The aircraft was a B-24 Liberator operated by the 99th Squadron. During the rollout, the brakes were applied too early before the aircraft had achieved sufficient airspeed for safe liftoff. This action caused the nose of the aircraft to dip heavily onto the runway surface.
The impact resulted in the collapse of the nose wheel assembly and sheared the hydraulic lines responsible for engine controls. Following this mechanical failure, the aircraft skidded off the southeast end of the runway. It came to rest in a gulley approximately 60 feet deep, where the airframe broke in half.
The accident resulted in the deaths of several individuals on board. The crew included the pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, radar operator, navigator, and three air gunners/wireless operators. Among the passengers were military personnel and civilians. In total, five people died in the crash: one crew member (the flight engineer) and four passengers.
Findings
The primary contributing factor identified was the premature application of brakes during the takeoff roll. This action prevented the aircraft from becoming airborne safely, leading to excessive nose-down attitude on the ground. The resulting structural failure of the nose gear and damage to critical hydraulic systems rendered the aircraft uncontrollable, causing it to leave the runway and crash into the adjacent terrain.