WarbirdsNews has learned that the wreck of a Soviet Douglas A-20 Havoc recently re-emerged in the Taiga of western Siberia in Russia. Apparently the lend-lease medium bomber, one of roughly 3400 of the type given to the Soviet Union, went down on its ferry flight from Alaska to the Eastern Front in 1943. The Taiga is a vast boreal forest which is largely uninhabited, and buried under snow and ice for much of the year. Although no photographs have surfaced publicly as of yet, the aircraft (technically designated a DB-7) apparently went down on the slopes of Zelyonaya mountain in the Kemerovo region. Sadly, it appears that the un-named Soviet ferry crew perished in the wartime crash. The aircraft’s serial number is not known currently, but the fuselage bears the markings “F216”, so finding its true identity should not pose too great a problem for researchers.
Interestingly, a hunter first stumbled across the wreck in 1966, but although he tried to lead authorities to the site, he failed to remember exactly where he’d found it. The aircraft faded from memory for forty-eight years until officers from the Kuznetsky Alatau wildlife reserve located her during one of their excursions. Quite what will happen now is not public knowledge, but hopefully a recovery team will locate and identify the crew’s remains for proper burial. Given the remoteness of the location, the wreck seems likely to stay where it is for the meantime though. WarbirdsNews will continue to monitor this story, and report back if any new details, or photographs emerge.
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
We visited an A20 crash site last summer. It was W of Nome Ak just off the beach. Looks like it hit very hard and has been picked over for years. The Army Star had been painted over so it has the Soviet Star. We also found another E of Nome in a very remote area that doesn’t look as picked. Have not seen it up close, only from the air. Local rummer is there was a mid air two A20’s. Also another crash reported within 5 miles that we did not find. May go back this summer for a look.
I’d be curious if the wreck west of Nome you mentioned was the same one I recently saw in a Youtube video where it was misidentified as a B-26. So far I’ve been unable to find any info on the wreck, but thats not surprising since the tail number is only briefly shown and is mostly obscured by damage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfOPhWOK-Dk