South Portland A-26 Invader crash

South Portland A-26 Invader crash
A similar A-26 Invader
Accident
DateJuly 11, 1944 (1944-07-11)
SummaryCrash landing in fog
Site
Aircraft
Aircraft typeDouglas A-26 Invader
OperatorUnited States Army Air Forces
Registration43-22253
Flight originBarksdale Field, Louisiana
DestinationPortland-Westbrook Municipal Airport, Maine
Passengers0
Crew2
Fatalities2
Survivors0
Ground casualties
Ground fatalities17
Ground injuries20

The South Portland A-26 Invader crash occurred on July 11, 1944, in the historic Brick Hill neighborhood of South Portland, Maine. a Douglas A-26B-5 Invader of the United States Army Air Forces struck the ground while attempting to land in foggy conditions. It cartwheeled through a government-operated trailer park, starting a fire. The aircraft's pilot and navigator were killed. In the trailer park, 17 residents were killed and 20 residents were injured. The incident remains the deadliest aviation accident in Maine history.