B-25D No. 41-29828 1st Ind. GWL/at War Department, Hqs., AAF, Directorate of Flying Safety, Winston-Salem, N.C., February 28, 1943. -- To: Headquarters, Richmond Sub-Depot, Office of the Commanding Officer, Army Air Base, Richmond, Virginia. As requested, attached is a copy of the report of the Accident Classification Committee. By command of Lieutenant General ARNOLD: JAMES W. Peyton Lt. Col., Air Corps, Director of Flying Safety. G. W. Lane, Jr., Major, Air Corps. 1 incl. Cpy, Statement Acc. Class. Comm.

H:OBM:djs. February, 22, 1943 In reply: Refer to: Subject: B25D No 41-29828. TO: Directorate of Flying Safety, Winston Salem, North Carolina Attention: Captain Murray Hall. 1. In order to complete report of survey on above mentioned airplane, it is necessary for the surveying Officer at this Sub-Depot to consider the report of the Investigating Board in compliance with AR 35-6640, change 1, Paragraph (10b2), which states as follows: In case of accidental damage to Government property which has been investigated by a Board or an investigating officer, the report of the board or investigating officer will be made available for his consideration and he will include in his findings a file citation of the report and a statement to the effect that it has been considered by him. 2. Since this report is confidential in character, it is suggested that a copy be mailed under the confidential classification to Commanding Officer of this Sub-Depot who will make it available to the Surveying Officer and will see that it is returned in the same classification. O. B. Myers, Major, Air Corps, Commanding.

COPY OF STATEMENT BY ACCIDENT CLASSIFICATIN COMMITTEE The aircraft passed over Bedford, Virginia at approximately 21.:15 EWT traveling in a Northwesterly direction. Many persons in Bedford heard the plane go over and most accounts indicated that it was at an unusually low altitude, because of the loud noise. Persons out of doors at the time the ship passed over also indicated that the ship was lower than usual and was heading in the direction of the mountains. All agreed that engines were running perfectly. As nearly as it can be determined the aircraft did not circle, but did proceed on a straight course from Bedford to the point of impact with the mountain. It struck the mountain at an estimated altitude of 3000' above sea level or 2000' above the elevation of the city of Bedford. Almost immediately following impact, the ship burst into flame, which was followed by minor explosions. Green lights were described to have been seen adjacent to main fire. Green lights it is assumed were flares set off by the fire. Search and rescue parties quickly assembled in the city of Bedford and proceeded by cars to various points of access to the mountain. Some of the searchers reached the scene before daylight. Some became lost and did not reach scene until after daylight. The first party reached the scene about 1:00 EWT. By this time there was only a little smoldering remaining of the fire. Other parties reached there during the early morning and after daylight. Wednesday nigh the bodies were removed from the mountain by a party of twenty-six (26) men, which included Major Kane and Captain Hall, under great difficulty, further impeded by a 2" snowfall Wednesday. It required from 17:00 o'clock Wednesday until 04:00 Thursday morning to accomplish the removal of bodies. Friday morning the general distribution of the wreckage was sketched by Major Kane, who accompanied civilian guards and photographer to the scene (see attached sketch and photo's). With the aid of daylight, it was possible to determine that the first impact was with trees, which pulled plane downward into ground at which point it probably burst and bounded up the mountain to point of rest shown in sketch and pictures. Signature /s/ Russell B. Daniels Russell B. Daniels, Mojor, Air Corps /s/ George P. Kane G. P. Kane, Major, Air Corps /s/ Murray B. Hall Murray B. Hall, Captain, Air Corps Date: February 10, 1943