Received Headquarters
Army Air Force
June 16, 1944
Office of Flying Safety
(This is what the accident report says)
B-24 number 42-51180, Pilot 2nd Lieutenant Virginius R. Stell, Jr., arrived Goose Bay, Labrador, 24 May 1944 and was held pending favorable weather conditions for dispatch to next destination. No work was required on the aircraft.
Aircraft departed Goose Bay at 2355 GMT, 26 May 1944, for flight to Nutts Corner, North Ireland direct. Fuel carried aboard was 2794 U.S. gallons. (An ordinary minimum of 14 hours endurance) Flight time estimated as nine hours, forty six minutes (9+46). Ship was one (1) of sixty-two (62) aircraft dispatched to Nutts Corner that evening. Remaining ships of the flight landed at intended destination or nearby United Kingdom alternate.
After departure, ship reported to Goose Bay radio upon reaching cruising altitude (11000) and when passing over the coast of Labrador, contacted Cape Harrison radio and was cleared to CW frequency. (Contact with Cape Harrison radio was made at 0054 GMT). This was the last contact had with aircraft. Gander Lake, Newfoundland, BW-1, Greenland and Meeks Field, Iceland reported no contact with missing aircraft. Nutts Corner had no initial contact with aircraft.
No planned search was made inasmuch as the aircraft cleared the Labrador coast with all facilties functioning properly. Cargo aircraft departing this station and flying approximately the same course as the missing aircraft were advised to be alert for signs of wreckage or life rafts. Search & hope for location of aircraft was abandoned at dark on 1 June 1944.
Viewing the closeness of the weather forecast and the post-flight report (Inclosed Weather Officer's Report), it must be reported that the aircraft is missing through cause or causes unknown.
(End report)