B-24 LIBERATOR CRASH LANDED
AT CAIRNS AIRFIELD, NORTH QLD.
ON 21 AUGUST 1944

USAAF B-24 Liberator #42-110121 (c/n 3917) of No. 2 Bomb Squadron of the 22nd Bomb Group was on a flight from Owi to Depot #2 in Townsville on 21 August 1944, when it encountered severe weather over the Coral Sea. It finally located Cairns Airfield in far north Queensland and after several passes the B-24 set down part way down the runway. The pilot slammed on the brakes and aquaplaned off the end of the runway at 90mph due to brake failure and subsequently crashed into a large ditch at the northern end of the strip crumpling the nose and killing the pilot and injuring the co-pilot. The top gun turret tore loose and crashed forward killing the radio operator and engineer. The Navigator also died from his injuries. The B-24 was damaged beyond repair.

25 Operational Base Unit's (25 OBU) crash waggon and ambulance were manned and proceeded immediately to the crash scene. There were seven occupants in the B-24. Three had been killed in the crash, one dangerously injured (subsequently died), one seriously injured and two slightly injured. They were as follows:-

Captain Carl. L. Flogstad 0-738130 - pilot, killed
1st Lieutenant John A. Bellstrom 186894 - co-pilot, seriously injured
T/Sgt. J. H. Henderson 38329285 - radio operator, killed
1st Lieutenant Andrew J. Nitz, Jr. 0-804967 - navigator, killed
T/Sgt A. C. Hicks 38329285 - engineer, died of injuries
M/Sgt. R. Henry 13007291
Sgt. L. L. Erickson 16019296 - suffered from shock

The injured crew members were admitted to the Cairns District Hospital. The co-pilot suffered a broken right arm, broken pelvis and severe cuts and lacerations.

Appreciation was expressed at the speed shown by the fire tender and ambulance in reaching the scene of the crash.

REFERENCES

Operations Record Book for 25 Operational Base Unit RAAF

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Bob Livingstone for his assistance with this web page.

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 15 March 2017

This page last updated 05 May 2024