Accident report

[Jedi_Cheese]

How could I get my hands on an accident report for a military aircraft circa 1944?

I had a relative that crashed in out west during WW2 in an Army Air Force 2 seat training aircraft (don't know what type, but it would be easy enough to figure out). He was a CFI (or what passed for it at the time) from 1940 to 1944 (time of death). Is there a form that I can fill out or an office I should start inquireing at?

Also, what sorts of information am I likely to get? Would it be possible to find out what he flew and who he flew with? Any real possibility of meeting any of his fellow pilots?

 

[rstev1955]

You can file a freddom of information act request for Part 1 of the accident investigation report from the Air Force Safety Center at Kirtland AFB, NM. Not sure of their exact address. They will need to know the type aircraft, date, and location to find it.

All you will get from this report though, is what happened, not why. Part 2 of the report, which tells the how and why, is not releasable to the public...ever. It is intended solely for mishap prevention and has this policy has been upheld by the courts.

That said, try contacting the safety center and good luck in your quest.

 

[rstev1955]

You can file a freedom of information act request for Part 1 of the accident investigation report from the Air Force Safety Center at Kirtland AFB, NM. Not sure of their exact address. They will need to know the type aircraft, date, and location to find it.

All you will get from this report though, is what happened, not why. Part 2 of the report, which tells the how and why, is not releasable to the public...ever. It is intended solely for mishap prevention and has this policy has been upheld by the courts.

That said, try contacting the safety center and good luck in your quest.

 

[Jedi_Cheese]

Thanks! I can probibly find that information somewhere.