Loss of Vultee Vengeance at Dunkeswell, Devon 22 March 1945

[Bob Jones]

On 22 March 1945 a RAF Vultee Vengeance was taking off from RAF Dunkeswell, home to Fleet Air Wing 7, US Navy, when it veered off the runway and struck a Catalina PBY-5A of US Navy squadron VPB-63. Both aircraft were seriously damaged and the pilot of the Vengeance died, supposedly having suffered a cardiac arrest. The incident is mentioned in US Navy Catalina Units of the Atlantic War - Ragnar Ragnarsson, but it gives no details of the RAF pilot or anything about the aircraft. It seems likely it was a target-tug and 587 Squadron RAF were operating Vengeance from nearby Weston Zoyland in Somerset at the time. Any background on the Vengeance and its crew would be appreciated.

[wwrsimon]

Bob

The accident is mentioned here, citing the book: https://aviation-safety.net/database...?id=19450322-3

PBY-5A 2468
Destroyed when an RAF Vultee Vengeance on loan to the US Navy crashed into it on takeoff.
Probable Cause:
The primary cause of the accident was undetermined, but Air Force investigators concluded that probable cause was an incapacitation of the HC-54 [?] pilot. An autopsy revealed cardiovascular issues which may have caused acute chest pains.

The incident is recorded in the Fleet Air Wing 7 Diary available of Fold3.com:

22 March
Lieutenant (junior grade) LANE of Headquarters Squadron Fleet Air Wing SEVEN flying Vultee Vengeance, Bureau number FO-184 borrowed from the British Royal Air Force crashed into a parked PBY-5A, Bureau number 2468 on attempted take off from Dunkeswell. Both aircraft were severely damaged and striking of both aircraft was requested this date.

That would make the Vengeance IV FD184, for which Joe Baugher's site has:

41-31373 to RAF as Vengeance IV FD184. Transferred to USAAF May 24, 1944. No RAF service.

http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1941_5.html

Regards

Simon

[Lyffe]

Bob,

Have you seen https://aviation-safety.net/database...?id=19450322-3. This suggests the RAF aircraft was on loan to the Americans, not that it was piloted by an RAF pilot. I appreciate there is an element of ambiguity in the link's account.

Brian

Edit: Beat me to it Simon, but at least you confirm my suggestion the pilot was not RAF.

[robstitt]

Phil Butler notes in Air Arsenal North America that Vengeances were passed back to the USAAF and USN for target-towing duties.

Robert

[Bob Jones]

Very many thanks for all that. I think it covers all aspects.

[paulmcmillan]

I asked on TOCH

Both aircraft involved were assigned to the Headquarters Squadron, Fleet Air Wing 7, at Dunkeswell. The Vengeance had been provided for use as a target tow.

On 23 March 1945 Vengeance FD184 took off with a crosswind blowing and as it left the ground the pilot sensed a loss of power. He cut the engine and landed back down. Already in a swerve, the aircraft veered off the runway and crashed into a parked PBY-5A, BuNo 2468. The pilot of the Vengeance, Lt(jg) H.A. Lane suffered a broken arm. A crewman working inside the PBY suffered a broken wrist.
__________________
George Kernahan



R Leonard asked ?


Harry Arthur Lane (351899), LTJG USN ???