On the 30th August 1943 B-24H Liberator 42-7468 departed Burtonwood at 17.00 hours on a return to base ferry flight, the aircraft was headed for the 392nd Bomb Group airfield at Wendling, Norfolk onboard were nine personnel including three passengers who boarded the aircraft just prior to it departing.



The aircraft which had just recently returned from a short test flight during which it reacted normally made a good take off in good weather, with the landing gear coming up when the aircraft was 100 feet high, it continued on a straight course from the west end of the east west runway gaining height all the time, when it was about one mile from the airfield it made a right turn of ninety degrees out of the traffic pattern. After making the right turn it continued on a straight course, then made a steep turn round to the right. It was noticed that the aircraft had turned to the right because a left hand pattern was the rule. While in the turn the nose of the aircraft started towards the ground and the aircraft disappeared out of sight 1½ miles North West of the airfield, followed by an explosion with flames rising some 200 feet high. Ambulances and fire crews were dispatched to the scene immediately.



See detailed biography at http://laituk.org/B-24%2042-7468.htm