Lockheed P-38G Lightning 42-12928 of the 78th Fighter Group crashed on Baxton Fell on the 26th January 1943

 

Stephen L. White 2nd Lieutenant Pilot Killed

 

The aircraft was one of a number of aircraft being ferried from Goxhill in North Lincolnshire to Langford Lodge in Northern Ireland, it collided with 42-12905 while over Lancashire and dived into moorland on Baxton Fell in the Forest of Bowland. The aircraft was seen by an estate worker diving out of the cloud in which the collision had occurred with the pilot making no attempt to abandon the aircraft. The other aircraft, piloted by 1st Lt Perry crashed just over one mile to the south on Dunsop Fell.

Wreckage at the crash site of P-38G 42-12929 on Baxton Fell near Slaidburn, Lancashire
A large number of parts lie scattered around the crash site which consists of this scar and collections in two hollows close by.
See the LAIT page about this aircraft for further details about this crash.
Wreckage at the crash site of P-38G 42-12929 on Baxton Fell near Slaidburn, Lancashire
These sections of the wings are the largest remaining pieces at the crash site, though they are suffering from an advanced state of corrosion.
Wreckage at the crash site of P-38G 42-12929 on Baxton Fell near Slaidburn, Lancashire
This view shows the scar where the aircraft crashed and the dumped collection of parts from the wings, the third collection lies part way between.
Wreckage at the crash site of P-38G 42-12929 on Baxton Fell near Slaidburn, Lancashire
Rather unusually for an American aircraft we found a number of the removable panels bearing the aircraft’s Serial number and Lockheed construction number.
The Lockheed construction number was 222-7362 while stamped below it is the USAAF serial. One panel only had the construction number stamped into it.
Wreckage at the crash site of P-38G 42-12929 on Baxton Fell near Slaidburn, Lancashire
The remains of the two drop-tank pylons can be found at the site, this one lies in the main crater, the other is near by but is less complete.