B-25C "Mitchell" 41-13049
Posted by: 
blevesque
N 46° 49.199 W 068° 17.719
19T E 553753 N 5185400
Crashed September 22, 1942 near Perham, Maine.
Waymark Code: WM3X3
Location: Maine, United States
Date Posted: 11/19/2005
Views: 118
The aircraft was one of a flight of eight deploying to the European Theatre of Operations through Presque Isle AAF, with the next destination of Gander Newfoundland.
Shortly after the flight became airborne, it was learned that while the ceiling over the field was above the acceptable minimum, the entire surrounding area was not, so the aircraft were recalled. One plane "disappeared" but later landed in Gander safely. Six landed back at Presque Isle. This aircraft was witnessed by a farmer to come out of the ceiling in a steep dive and crash into a remote swamp, killing the crew of 7. The tail section had broken off and landed 1/4 mile from the point of impact. Loss of control due to disorientation was listed as the probable cause by the inquiry.
A second B-25 crashed nearby later that day killing another 7 man crew.
Two German sympathizers were later arrested for tampering with a B-17 at the base, leading to a theory that these two Mitchells were the victims of sabotage.
Killed in this crash were: 2Lt John Watson, Pilot; 2Lt John River Jr., Copilot; S/Sgt John Delano;
S/Sgt James Kviz; S/Sgt Eugene Crozier; S/Sgt Richard Riddle; Sgt. Fredrick Rowbottom.
Date of Crash: 09/22/1942
Aircraft Model: B-25C
Military or Civilian: Military
Tail Number: 41-13049
Cause of Crash:
Sabotage
Web Address for Related Web Sites: Not listed
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