The C-45 Expeditor belonging to the 371st ASG, (Air
Service Group) USAAF was on a ferry flight from
Prestwick,Ayrshire to Bovingdon,Hertfordshire,
when in a heavy snowstorm as it crossed the Cumbrian
fells, it flew into Black Combe mountain,a 2,000ft
peak above the town of Millom, Nr Haverigg,Cumbria.
The two crew although only bruised and badly shaken,
were for a time marooned on the peak by a blizzard
and had to stay in the, more or less intact aircraft
overnight.
The storm having eased somewhat the next day, the
two crew set off down the hill to find help, meanwhile
3 schoolboys had heard of the crash on the news and had
decided to go and take a look for themselves, ironically,
they too were caught in another snowstorm and spent the
night in the plane before heading down the mountain the
next day.
All salvagable items were, in the following weeks removed,
and now only undercarriage and framework remains to be
seen.
Crew of the C-45 44-47194:
Pilot: Capt William J.Daner.
Co-Pilot: 1/Lt Arthur Garner.
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Expeditor - Lake District
