Consolidated LB-30 Liberator accident at Gander, Canada, 9 Feb 1943 (AL591)
On February 9, 1943, a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator (registration AL591) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Gander, Canada during landing or approach. 19 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion. An excessive headwind component during the transatlantic flight increased the fuel consumption. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
Engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion. An excessive headwind component during the transatlantic flight increased the fuel consumption.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The airplane departed Prestwick on a transatlantic flight to Gander. Descending to the destination, the crew was informed about the weather conditions with blizzard and icing. The crew of a second LB-30 registered AL529 successfully diverted to Sydney but the crew of AL591 preferred to continue to Gander with low fuel reserve. On final approach to runway 27, the pilot realized that the lights of runway 05-23 was ON so he initiated a go around procedure then proceeded on a circuit to the east. About 13 km east of the airport, while making a turn, two engines stopped simultaneously. Due to a loss of speed, the airplane stalled and crashed in a frozen field. Two passengers were found alive while 19 other occupants were killed. Crew: F A. Dugan, American civilian pilot, † Sgt J. R. Elding, RAF pilot, † G. P. M. Eves, British civilian pilot, † T. R. Harmes, British civilian pilot, † Sgt H. L. B. Lewis, RAF pilot, † R. M. Lloyd, American civilian pilot, † Sgt D. J. Owen, RAF pilot, † Sgt G. P. Pollard, RAF pilot, † J. Stagner, American civilian pilot, † Sgt W. H. Kyle, RCAF navigator, † P/O R. I. Scott, RCAF navigator, † F. J. Brown, British civilian radio officer, † J. D. Jones, British civilian radio officer, † F. Scrafton, Canadian civilian radio officer, † R. Wadsworth, British civilian radio officer, † E. G. Longley, Canadian civilian flight engineer, † J. B. Merriman, British civilian flight engineer, † I. W. Wilmot, Canadian civilian flight engineer, † Lt Col L. T. Grove, British Army, † Cpt R. E. Parker Jr., P/O G. N. Abelson.
Probable cause (official findings): Engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion. An excessive headwind component during the transatlantic flight increased the fuel consumption.