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The Freckleton Air Disaster occurred on 23 August 1944, when a Consolidated B-24 Liberator of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) crashed into the centre of the village of Freckleton, Lancashire, England. The aircraft crashed into the Holy Trinity Church of England School, demolishing three houses and the ''Sad Sack Snack Bar''. The death toll was 61, including 38 children. 〔The History of Freckleton, Carnegie Publishing Ltd, Peter Shakeshaft, 2001, p. 245〕 ==Accident== Two newly refurbished B-24 heavy bombers, being made ready for delivery to the 2nd Combat Division, departed USAAF Base Air Depot 2 at Warton Aerodrome on a test flight at 10.30 am. Due to an approaching violent storm, both were recalled. By the time they had returned to the vicinity of the aerodrome, however, the wind and rain had significantly reduced visibility. Contemporary newspaper reports detailed wind velocities approaching ; water spouts in the Ribble Estuary; and flash flooding in Southport and Blackpool. On approach from the west, towards runway 08, and in formation with the second aircraft, the pilot of the first Consolidated B-24H Liberator USAAF serial number ''42-50291'' (named "Classy Chassis II") reported to the control tower that he was aborting landing at the last moment and would perform a go-around. Shortly afterwards, and out of sight of the second aircraft, the aircraft hit the village of Freckleton, just east of the airfield. Already flying very low to the ground and with wings near vertical, the B-24's right wingtip first hit a tree-top, and then was ripped away as it impacted with the corner of a building. The rest of the wing continued, ploughing along the ground and through a hedge. The fuselage of the 25-ton bomber continued, partly demolishing three houses and the ''Sad Sack Snack Bar'', before crossing Lytham Road and bursting into flames. A part of the aircraft hit the infants' wing of Freckleton Holy Trinity School. Fuel from the ruptured tanks ignited and produced a sea of flames. In the school, 38 school children and six adults were killed. The clock in one classroom stopped at 10.47 am. In the ''Sad Sack Snack Bar'', which catered specifically for American servicemen from the airbase, 14 were killed: seven Americans, four Royal Air Force airmen and three civilians. The three crew on the B-24 were also killed. A total of 23 adults and 38 children died in the disaster. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Freckleton Air Disaster」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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