USAAF C-54 D 45-543 on Stake House Fell.

USAAF C-54 D 45-543 on Stake House Fell

Crashed in low cloud in the Forest of Bowland, January 7th 1949.
All crew and both passengers were killed in the crash. This C-54 was taking part in the Berlin airlift, and was flying from the C-54 base at Rhein Main in Germany to Burtonwood in England. The pilot was in contact with Burtonwood just moments before the crash. It is evident that 1st Lt. Wurgel thought he was several miles South of where the aircraft actually was. A later investigation found that a BBC radio signal had interfered with the Burtonwood signal, ruling out pilot error.

1st Lt. Richard M. Wurgel, Pilot
1st Lt. Lowell A. Wheaton Jr, Co-pilot
Sgt. Bernard J. Watkins, Engineer
Cpl. Norbert H. Theis, Radio Operator
Capt. W. A. Rathgeber, Passenger
Pte. R. E. Stone, Passenger