No fatalities

Single-engine aircraft crashes upside down in McAlester after emergency landing attempt (43-5235)

McAlester, United States of AmericaFlight

On November 19, 1943, a Noorduyn Norseman (registration 43-5235) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near McAlester, United States of America in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck a gully during an emergency landing attempt, causing it to overturn and sustain unreparable damage. 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.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine aircraft attempted an emergency landing in McAlester due to an unknown issue. The plane struck a gully upon touchdown, resulting in injuries to all four occupants and total loss of the airframe.

What happened

During an en route flight, the pilot initiated an emergency landing procedure at McAlester for reasons that remain unspecified. As the aircraft touched down, it encountered a depression or gully on the ground surface. This impact caused the single-engine plane to flip over and come to rest upside down.

The accident resulted in significant structural damage, rendering the airframe beyond repair. All four individuals on board sustained injuries during the crash sequence. The pilot was identified as Lt Murry Witherby.

Findings

The specific mechanical or environmental factors that necessitated the emergency landing were not determined in the available records. The immediate cause of the accident was the aircraft striking a gully during the landing rollout, which led to the inversion of the airframe and subsequent damage.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck a gully during an emergency landing attempt, causing it to overturn and sustain unreparable damage.