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Registration
or Serial:
44-83325
Operator:
USAAF 15th AAF.
Operating Base:
Dow Air Force Base (Formerly, Bangor Army Air Field, then Dow
Army Field).
Base
Location:
Bangor, Maine, USA.
Current
Airport Status: Operational Civil Airport
(Dow closed in 1968, but reopened
later as civil airport)
Current
Airport Name: Bangor
International Airport
(BGR / KBGR)
Aircraft Nickname:
Flying Fortress; Fort, and others.
Aircraft Type & Background
The Boeing B-17 was a four-engine heavy
bomber, equipped initially with four 750hp Pratt & Whitney Hornet
engines. However, later builds were fitted with 1200hp Wright Cyclone
R1280-97 radial piston engines. Later production models were
modified substantially by extending the fuselage further to the rear
to incorporate a tail gun position.
The aircraft had a maximum speed of
just over 483km/h (300mph) and a cruising speed of 257km/h (160mph).
Its maximum range (ferry) was 5,472km (3,400 miles).
The B-17G entered service with the US
Bombardment Groups in 1943. Unlike earlier models, the B-17G was
equipped with Bendix chin turrets housing two 12.7mm (0.5in) machine
guns for defence against head-on attacks. The B-17 was used both by
USAAF Bombardment Groups and by RAF Coastal Command.
Aircraft Accident Details
This particular B-17G was attached to the
15th
Army Air Force (AAF).
When the accident occurred, this
almost new B-17G was enroute from the USA to Italy via Iceland
and the UK. The aircraft and crew were scheduled to relieve another
B-17 aircraft and crew based at Sioi in Italy.
After refuelling at Meek's Field,
Iceland, the aircraft proceeded toward its next route marker at
Valley in Anglesey, Wales. However, while still over the Western
Isles of Scotland, heavy cloud forced the pilot to descend in an
attempt to maintain visual bearings.
Unfortunately, the descent took the
plane below 1,000ft. With
cloud cover still obscuring his view, the pilot failed to see that
he was heading straight for Beinn Edra (2006ft) on the Isle of Skye. The
bomber struck the rugged hillside and disintegrated as ammunition exploded,
setting the aircraft ablaze.
Except for one crew member who was
thrown clear, eight of the crew died instantly on impact with
the ground. The ninth crew member died later of his injuries.
The nine people who died in this accident
were:
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Pilot: 2/Lt Paul M.
Overfield. Jr.
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Co-Pilot: 2/Lt Leroy E.
Cagle.
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Navigator: 2/Lt Charles K.
Jeanblanc.
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Radio Op: Cpl Arthur W.
Kopp. Jr.
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Engineer: Cpl Harold D.
Blue.
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Gunner: Cpl John H. Vaughan.
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Gunner: Cpl Harold A.
Fahselt.
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Gunner: Cpl George S.
Aldrich.
-
Gunner: Cpl Carter D.
Wilkinson.
At
present, the final resting place of the crew members is
unknown.
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Accident Date
3 March 1945
Accident
Site
Beinn Edra
( 611.5 m / 2006 ft)
Region:
Highland (Isle of
Skye)
Nearest
town or village: Staffin
OS Grid Ref:
N/A
Present Condition
Significant wreckage still visible; some located in a crevice in the centre of, and below the
summit of, Beinn Edra.
Other scattered and fragmented wreckage, including remains of
engine, landing gear and propeller hub, to be found at or near impact site.
Related Links
USAAF & Related Links
Isle of
Skye & Beinn Edra Related
Other Links
Below:
A Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress preparing for a bombing run.
Photo : [no date] US Federal
Government photo released to the public domain.
Below:
Boeing B-17G Formation from the 532nd Bomb
Squadron, 381st Bomb Group.
Photo:
National Museum
of the USAF |
