B-25C MITCHELL CAUGHT FIRE
AT CHARTERS TOWERS AIRFIELD, QLD
ON 1 JUNE 1942

On 1 June 1942, three USAAF mechanics were working in the rear crew compartment of B-25C Mitchell #41-12451 at Charters Towers Airfield when petrol was being used to clean up some spilled hydraulic fuel. Unfortunately fuel vapours built up inside the radio compartment. It is believed that an electric drill ignited the fuel vapours causing an explosion and fire. The three men received third degree burns and the B-25C caught fire and burned in half.

Aircraft Mechanic, S/Sergeant James F. Cochran died from his 3rd degree burns in the Charters Towers Hospital on 14 June 1942.

REFERENCES

"Harvest of the Grim Reapers - The Illustrated History of the 3rd and 27th Bombardment Groups during World War II - Volume 1: Prewar - December 1942" by Lawrence J. Hickey, Edward M. Rogers, with Osamu Tagaya & Madison D. Jonas

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Edward Rogers 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 6 March 2022

This page last updated 07 March 2022