Jack M. MESSINGER

 P-38 Lightning - type J-10-LO - s/n 42-68003

Mission : Reconnaissance tactique

Décollage 10h00 terrain  A-11 St-Lambert (14)

Au retour de mission, dans la phase d'approche, le pilote s'est approché trop près de l'avion précédent, l'a touché avec son hélice, fait un tonneau - L'avion s'est ensuite écrasé et a pris feu - 12h45 - Appareil détruit

CIMETIERE PROVISOIRE de -- N°--

Histoire des Cimetières Provisoires 

Plan du Normandy American Cemetery

Extrait du rapport d'enquête (Source: Accident Report - AFHRA):

Lt MESSINGER was flying number three position in a four ship flight.

The flight had returned from a combat mission and had made a normal  Peel Off.

In approaching the runway Lt MESSINGER came in rather close behind the number two man. Wheels and flaps were fully down on Lt MESSINGER's plane when it hit a prop wash from the preceeding plane.

The left wing went downs and Lt MESSINGER evidently applied the throttles to correct the planes altitude.

The plane did a complete roll to the left landing extremely hard right side up.

It would seem evident that when Lt MESSINGER hit the throttles the left engine did not catch immediately; with the left wing down and the ship at a low speed for landing the force from the right engine threw the plane into a barrel roll.

When the plane hit the ground flat the wings broke splitting the gas tanks.

In the resulting fire the plane was completely destroyed