1942 Modesto Crash info needed

[Hemiman]

Hello all..

At the recent 3rd Attack Group Reunion, I was talking with Jack Sturla, an 8th Sqdn A-20 pilot. He was asking if I could help him get some info on a crash he was involved with at Modesto. Incident happened in late Nov/early Dec. Said he was with an Instructor in a At-17 that had taken off from Stockton and were supposed to practice landings at Modesto.. Jack said they ended up upside down on a riverbank after some "difficulties"..
If anyone could supply any info/pics, Jack would be most appreciative..

Bill

[TimAPNY]

I was able to find an AT-17B (42-38762) that crashed on 11-19-42 killing both crew members that seems to match up with the information you have. The aircraft suffered structure failure of the port wing 9 miles southwest of Tracy, CA.

On a night mission the aircraft lost parts of the wing, soon after the tail failed and the aircraft entered an "outside loop" The aircraft landed on its back and burst into flames killing Horace Cederstrom and Robert Bunner.

Pieces of the wing were found 2 miles from the crash site and the tail was located about 100 yards from the crash site.

Sorry I don't have the full report just a small write-up on it.

Tim

[bipe215]

Bill,

Aviationarcheaolgy.com lists the same accident Tim mentions. Its the only AT-17 crash they list in your time frame and area. You could order an accident report from them.

http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/ ... v1942S.htm

Steve G

[Hemiman]

Thanks guys..

Deeply appreciate the effort.. Jack and his Instructor did survive their crash, so I'm really curious to why there's no reference to their accident.. Jack believes the plane was recovered..You would think stateside records would be a little more accurate..WAG would be that non fatal crashes were not a priority...

Bill

[TimAPNY]

Thanks guys..

Deeply appreciate the effort.. Jack and his Instructor did survive their crash, so I'm really curious to why there's no reference to their accident.. Jack believes the plane was recovered..You would think stateside records would be a little more accurate..WAG would be that non fatal crashes were not a priority...

Bill

Sorry, I wasn't to sure that this guy was in the crash or refering to someone else's bad day. My reference book has the Fatal accidents listed only.

The link that Steve posted should have the crash listed but without a set date or serial number the list of CA or AT-17 crashes might take a while to look through. I'd search on the AT-17 and then skim for the CA crashes. You should be able to find it that way, I've had to do that several times for NY crashes, not fun but it works.

If you find it, you can send a request for that report, they will tell you if pictures were included and how many. I'd pay the extra for them printed seperate as the the quality "in the report" is very poor. I'd hope the extra print charges would give you a better picture. I've found the crash reports I've gotten from that site to be very helpful and interesting.

Tim

[M-62A]

Tim and all,
How about this from the Aviation Archaeology site:
421229 AT-17B 42-38916 Stockton Field, CA Sullivan, Mervin R USA CA Modesto Aprt, CA

Hope this helps, Tony Broadhurst

[Hemiman]

Tony and All..

Thanks so much for the leads.. Will pursue them and let you know the outcome..

Bill