FORCED LANDING OF A P-38 LIGHTNING
ADJACENT TO AMBERLEY AIRFIELD, QLD
ON 24 NOVEMBER 1942
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

On 24 November 1942 Lt. Donnell, of the 17th Fighter Squadron (Provisional), flying P-38 Lightning "The Mad Russian", whilst coming into land at Amberley Airfield, in south east Queensland, ran out of fuel and made a forced landing in a field. The P-38 went through four fields and fences, bordering Amberley Airfield. The right wheel hit a log and was torn off. The aircraft came to a stop a few feet from a B-24 Liberator. The accident was caused due to the reserve and main fuel tanks being reversed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Gordon Birkett 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 19 June 2024

This page last updated 19 June 2024