Ex-USAAF C-60A-5-LO, serial number 42-55940. To USAAF on 01 Mar 1943. To RCAF and operated by No. 164 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Moncton, NB as of 30 Apr 1943. #557 departed Moncton, NB, at 23:45 hrs on 7 May 1943 on a cargo flight to Gander, NF. At 0313 hrs on 08 May, the a/c contacted the Aerodrome Control Officer at Gander to request landing clearance. The aircraft was given landing clearance by the aerodrome control officer, and was told to check their wheels down. The messages were acknowledged by 557. At this time the ceiling was practically unlimited. The a/c was heard to pass over the airfield shortly thereafter, but the ceiling had unexpectedly fallen to 700 feet. This fly over was apparently done on instruments. #557 radioed to indicate they had missed the field and were trying again. The a/c then acknowledged being given the ceiling height and barometric pressure by the station. The a/c broke through the 600 ft. ceiling, and was advised to circle and approach runway #27. The a/c approached, but seemed to be lined up with the wrong runway and was advised to circle again and attempt runway 27. On the second attempt, the a/c still did not turn enough and was again told to attempt again. The a/c was instructed to make a right turn over the field, but, at this point, #557 was in a steep bank and went into a stall, losing altitude until it crashed and exploded in flames. It crashed approximately two miles east of RCAF Station Gander at 0340 hrs on 8 May 1943. Fire trucks and ambulances were dispatched to the scene but all of the crew onboard were killed. The 164 Sqn pilot crew for this flight were WO2’s H. Svendsen and C.H. Allen and the wireless operator was LAC A.G. Sewell.
1943-03-05 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1943-May-08 Accident: 164 Squadron Loc: Aerodrome Names: Allan | Sevendsen | Sewell
1944-03-27 Struck off Strength Written off after crash, see comments. 2019-08-20