Ventura bomber crash

On February 8, 1943, Lockheed Ventura II (AJ211) attached with No. 34 Operational Training Unit (OTU) Pennfield Ridge, temporarily based in Yarmouth took flight at 5:55 on a pre-dawn cross country and bombing training exercise.

At approximately 7:00, AJ211 was seen by two witnesses on the Richibucto River flying in an Easterly direction. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft dove into the ground on the Aldouane Peninsula, land that is now part of Kouchibouguac National Park taking the lives of all three airmen aboard.

Due to the total disintegration of the aircraft, investigators were unable to determine the causes of this tragic event.

Exhibit

Parks Canada has created an exhibit to commemorate the 1943 plane crash, located at the Visitor Reception Centre. Discover the significance of aviation archaeology and crash site preservation in New Brunswick.