B-24M Liberator 44-50695

Pildinny, Dumfries and Galloway

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Operating Country

USA (USAAF)

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PAGE 2 (Official Accident Report)

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Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Craig Fuller of Aviation Archaeological Investigation and Research (USA) for providing data on this accident.

Sincere thanks also to the following for kindly providing additional information and / or photos:

Geoff Bland,

David W Earl (Aircraft Wrecks in the UK and Ireland),

Wally Fydenchuk (Immigrants of War) ,

Alan Leishman,

Steven Spink,

Dave Strickland.

Copyright Notice

All photographic material remains the property of the original authors, and may not be reproduced elsewhere without the respective author's prior written permission.

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Aircraft Type Photo

BELOW: A USAAF B-24M Liberator restored and on display at Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California, USA.

B-24M Liberator on display at Castle Air Museum Atwater CA

Photo: 2007 'Nehrams2020' (Wikimedia Commons). Released by the author to the public domain under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, version 1.2

BELOW: A USAAF B-24H Liberator in flight.

a us b-24h liberator in flight

Photo: Courtesy of the National Museum of the US Air Force

Aircraft Type and Background

USAAF Consolidated B-24M Liberator / 44-50695

Type Nickname: "Lib"; "Lumbering Lib"; "Flying Boxcar", and others.

The Consolidated B-24 heavy bomber first flew in 1939. The prototypes were equipped with four Pratt & Whitney 1200hp R-1830-33 Twin Wasp engines. Early production versions were fitted with P&W 1200hp R-1830-41 engines with GE turbo superchargers. Later production versions (B-24Ds) were fitted with P&W R-1830-43 engines. Later variants followed. Their maximum speed was about 487km/h (303mph).

The B-24 was fitted with 11 machine guns and had a bomb carrying capacity of about 3,629kgs (8,000lbs); and, with modifications, had a range of about 4600km (2,858 miles).

Although overshadowed by the B-17 (Flying Fortresses), the B-24 was produced in greater numbers than any other aircraft in history (in excess of 18,000 aircraft).

BELOW: A USAAF B-24 Liberator on museum display.

usaaf liberator - dugan 493 on display at museum

Photo: Courtesy of the National Museum of the US Air Force

Aircraft Accident Details

This aircraft was being operated by 448th Bombardment Group (H) of the 8th Air Force and was enroute from RAF Seething in Norfolk, England to RAF Heathfield (Prestwick) in Scotland.

At the time of the accident, the pilot was descending through some cloud and light rain to begin his approach into Prestwick airport. However, for some unknown reason, the aircraft descended below safe limits while still some distance from Prestwick and while flying over hilly ground. Consequently, the B-24 struck the high ground at Pildinny and then slid for a further 125 yards before coming to a stop.

The damage to the aircraft was substantial. Seventeen crew members and passengers died in this accident (three others survived). As there was little or no prior warning of the crash, no opportunity was afforded to make use of the parachutes, which--in any event--could not have been deployed at such low altitude.

A memorial has been placed near the site of the accident, and W of the shepherd's memorial in the same general area.

[A more detailed account of this accident can be found in David W Earl's book, Hell on High Ground (Vol. 2). (See panel below right)]

Aircraft Crew / Passenger Casualties

Those who died in this accident were:

Casualties (USAAF Flight Crew)

Capt. James G Blank (Pilot)
1/Lt John K Huber
1/Lt Bernard F Pargh
/Lt Francis X Pollio
T/Sgt Derward E Merrow
T/Sgt Morris L Kanerak
S/Sgt Louis F Menrad
S/Sgt Christopher C King
S/Sgt John A Wildman
S/Sgt William T Harriman

Casualties (USAAF Personnel travelling as Passengers)

Capt. Harold H Earmart
Lt Col. Heber H Thompson
Sgt Aubrey W Lindsey
S/Sgt Allan D Good
Cpl Edmond C Fortin
Pfc George T Gafney Jr
S/Sgt Sidney G Arrons

Those who survived with injuries were:

T/Sgt Richard G Pokorny (passenger)

S/Sgt John R May (passenger)

Sgt Kenneth R Nelson (passenger)

One of the three who survived made his way down from Pildinny to Lagafater Estate to seek help.

Crash Site Photos

BELOW: Some of the remaining wreckage from the B-24M at Pildinny. The following two photos were taken in 2006.

Some of the remaining wreckage from the Liberator crash at Pildinny Hill. Photo taken in 2006

BELOW: A small section of the remaining wreckage. Other wreckage lies in this general area, but is camouflaged by peat hags.

a small section of remaining wreckage. Other wreckage lies nearby but is hidden in peat hags

BELOW: A section of armour plating from the B-24M at Pildinny.

A section of armour plating from the B-24M at Pildinny Hill

BELOW: Part of a bomb rack from the wrecked Liberator.

Part of bomb rack from wrecked Liberator

BELOW: Remains of magneto casing.

Remains of magneto casing

BELOW: Bob while stationed at RAF Seething in Norfolk, England.

Bob while stationed at RAF Seething in Norfolk

Photo: Courtesy, Dave Strickland / Wally Fydenchuk

MORE PHOTOS BELOW

Original Accident Investigation Photos

The photos shown below were taken during the Accident Investigation in 1945.

BELOW: Inspection of wreckage following the crash of Consolidated B-24M Liberator 44-50695 at Pildinny.

inspection of wreckage in 1945 following crash of B-24M at Pildinny Hill

Photo: Courtesy, David W Earl

BELOW: The general scene of the crash site with wreckage strewn over a wide area.

general scene of crash site - accident investigation photo taken in 1945

Photo: Courtesy, Dave Strickland / Wally Fydenchuk

BELOW: View showing part of the fuselage and wings.

part of fuselage and wings

Photo: Courtesy, Dave Strickland / Wally Fydenchuk

BELOW: Closer view of wing section.

closer view of wing section

Photo: Courtesy, Dave Strickland / Wally Fydenchuk

BELOW: Investigation of some of the more compacted wreckage.

another view of wreckage being examined by crash investigators

Photo: Courtesy, Dave Strickland / Wally Fydenchuk

BELOW: Another view of the scattered wreckage with investigators nearby.

another view showing investigators examining wreckage

Photo: Courtesy, Dave Strickland / Wally Fydenchuk

BELOW: Closer view of fragmented wreckage.

closer view of fragmented wreckage

Photo: Courtesy, Dave Strickland / Wally Fydenchuk

BELOW: Part of the B-24M tailplane with codes.

part of the B-24 tailplane with codes

Photo: Courtesy, Dave Strickland / Wally Fydenchuk

Forward to Page 2: Official Accident Report

Photo Gallery

At the moment, there are no additional photos for this crash site in the Photo Gallery.

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Crash Date / Site

Accident Date: 12 Jun 1945

Accident Site:

Pildinny

(Hill immediately N of Goodman's Cairn, and 4 miles SE of Ballantrae.)

Region: Dumfries and Galloway

Nearest town or village:

Ballantrae (4 miles)

Nearest large towns:

Stranraer (11 miles S) or Girvan (N)

OS Grid Ref. 76 / 134 778

GPS Ref: N/A

Present Condition: Considerable wreckage remains at the crash site. However, much of it is concealed by the overgrowing peat hags and is difficult to find.

A memorial to the crew can be found near the crash site, not far from the shepherd's memorial cairn in the same area.