Aircraft History
Built by North American. Constructors Number 87-8502. Delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-10 Mitchell serial number 41-30337. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field across the Pacific to Australia.
Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 3rd Bombardment Group, 8th Bombardment Squadron. Later, assigned to the 38rd Bombardment Group, 405th Bombardment Squadron. No known nickname or nose art.
Mission History
On April 16, 1944 took off from Nadzab Airfield on a bombing mission against Hollandia. On the return flight, the formation encountered a severe weather front of bad weather. Returning, this B-25 landed at Saidor Airfield in poor visibility and collided with F-5A Lightning 42-67350. The B-25 crew of four were killed in the crash. Afterwards, the mission was dubbed "Black Sunday".
References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-10 Mitchell 41-30337
"30337 (38th BG, 405th BS) collided with F-5A 42-67350 in poor visibility at Saidor Apr 16, 1944 during infamous Black Sunday mission to Hollandia. 4 crew killed."
Black Sunday (2000) by Michael
Claringbould mentions this loss
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Last Updated
October 26, 2019
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