Pacific Wrecks Forum

Looking for information concerning B-17E # 41-2443. I have conflicting information.

The official AAF Form No. 14 Aircraft Accident Report says that the airplane was lost at sea.

Roger Freeman's book says that the airplane was Missing in Action.

Some one on line says that the airplane had crashed into Mount Keahiakahoe, Oahu.

And Joe Baugher has no listing.

The pilot was Lt. Ward Cox Jr.

Any help appreciated.

Tony Mireles

Have found the information I am looking for.

Tony Mireles

Ah but did you find a picture?

Fix that right away with a small version

Heavy night trying to get commissioned as a 2nd Lt in pacific Wrecks,....in an honourable way

Cheers
Gordy

Oh, for those who are wondering about the history of her, it seems she met fate 22/04/42 in Hawaii

41-2443 c/n2255 Accepted USAAF 03/12/41. At McChord 04/12/41.Unknown 18/12/41.Bakers Field 26/12/41.Sent to "Copper" code for Hawaii by Pacific Route HAD Cond 22/04/42 (371HrsTT) HAD is Hawaian Air Defense

Maybe Tony can advise of what happen in the way of the accident with crew details? Share things that is.

Best
Gordy

GordyB2 wrote:Oh, for those who are wondering about the history of her, it seems she met fate 22/04/42 in Hawaii

41-2443 c/n2255 Accepted USAAF 03/12/41. At McChord 04/12/41.Unknown 18/12/41.Bakers Field 26/12/41.Sent to "Copper" code for Hawaii by Pacific Route HAD Cond 22/04/42 (371HrsTT) HAD is Hawaian Air Defense

Maybe Tony can advise of what happen in the way of the accident with crew details? Share things that is.

Best
Gordy

Gordy,

Thanks for all of your help.

Sorry it took so long to post this:

April 5, 1942. Mount Keahiakahoe, Oahu, Hawaii. At an unknown time after 2100 HWT, a Boeing B-17E (41-2443) flying in poor weather crashed into Mount Keahiakahoe, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, killing the crew of ten. The airplane had been on a patrol mission when it encountered very poor weather on the inbound flight and apparently collided with the mountain while flying in heavy rain and very poor visibility. Killed in the crash were: 1Lt. Ward Cox Jr., pilot; 1Lt. Charles O. Allan Jr., co-pilot; 2Lt. James W. Roshoe, navigator; SSgt. Luther L. Perry Jr.,SSgt. Mathias E. Donart; SSgt. Edward L. Hakes; Sgt. Warren F. Schneider; Sgt. Wilbur L. Gravitt; Cpl. John F. Morris; Cpl. John E. Muckey.

TonyM.


www.warbirdcrash.com


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FATAL ARMY AIR FORCES AVIATION ACCIDENTS
IN THE UNITED STATES, 1941-1945

My father flew on some of the patrols around Hawaii on this B-17 after the Attack on Hickam on 12/7/1941. He had been stationed at Hickam on 12/7/1941.

We have a photo of him with Lt. Cox and some of the crew. A couple years ago his niece asked me if my father ever said anything about the Base Commander refusing to turn on the field lights. It was hoped he would have because of the really foul weather.

A PBY crashed into the same mountain under the same conditions the same night.

I told Lt. Cox's niece my father gave our son a recorded interview for a history project when our son was in 9 TH Grade. We still have the recording and my wife had typed it into a report for the son. On the recording and in the typed report my father mentioned how the Base Commander would NOT turn the lights on because of possible Japanese forces.

It was April 5, 1942 the Japanese were long gone and the men really felt the lights should have been turned on due to the bad weather and very poor visibility.

Two planes and two entire crews were lost on the same mountain the same day. Others along, with my father, felt this might have been avoided if only the landing lights were turned on. NO Japanese had been seen since 12/7/1941 and this was now April 5, 1942.

Photo of the plane and some of the crew, possibly 12/10/1941. My father is R.A.H. JR.

Here are the names for the photo of B-17 41-2443.

Sgt. Mathias Donart in this earlier photo was on B-17 41-2443 the day it crashed.

This link will take you to the Memorial held for AAC B-17 41-2443.

http://hiavps.com/Cox%20B-17E.htm

Thanks for the info.

TM