Presque Isle, ME. – March 11, 1944

Presque Isle, Maine – March 11, 1944

 

B-17G “Flying Fortress”
U.S. Air Force Photo

     On March 11, 1944, a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress, (Ser. No. 42-97208), with ten crewmen aboard, was taxiing into position in preparation for takeoff when its brakes failed and it crashed into the number 3 hangar at Presque Isle Air Field.  The aircraft was bound for overseas duty at the time. 

      Co-pilot, 2nd Lt. Thomas Walker Gage, 24, of Stockport, Ohio, suffered fatal injuries in the accident.  He’s buried in Stockport Cemetery in Stockport, Ohio.  To see a photo of Lt. Gage click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9392261/thomas-walker-gage   

     The bombardier and navigator were seriously injured, while the rest of the crew received non-life threatening injuries.  

     Sources:

     The Evening Star, (Washington, D.C.), “One Killed, 9 Injured As Bomber Hits Hangar”, March 13, 1944, page B-6     

     www.findagrave.com.

 

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