Hampstead, NH – August 19, 1943

Hampstead, New Hampshire – August 19, 1943

     There is not a lot of information about this accident.

     At 4:30 p.m. on the afternoon of August 19, 1943, a U.S. military C-49J, (#43-1971), was seen circling Island Pond in Hampstead, New Hampshire, at altitude of between 1,000 and 1,500 feet with its wheels extended, when it suddenly went into a spin and crashed into a wooded area. 

      All five men aboard were killed. 

      The weather at the time was “broken to scattered, 3-4000 feet, visibility unrestricted.”

     According to the Air Corps crash investigation report, the pilot is listed as one R. T. Whidden, “commercial pilot”.  Under “pilot’s mission” in the report it stated “Army ATTF Transition training.”  

     Servicemen aboard included:

     2nd Lt. Charles Appier. He’s buried in Star of Hope Cemetery in Huntington, Indiana.

     2nd Lt. Robert W. Barron. He’s buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Escanaba, Michigan.

     Pfc. Robert A. Bell.  He’s buried in Union Cemetery in Flandreau, South Dakota.

     Pfc. Conroy Newcomb.  He’s buried in Wayne Cemetery in Lewis, Kansas.  To see a photo of Pfc. Newcomb, go to www.findagrave.com, Memorial #55021812.  

     Sources:

     Army Air Corps accident investigation report, #44-8-19-1

     www.findagrave.com     

 

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