I certify that the following statements are true:

1. I am the First Pilot of Crew #3349 SCAAB.
2. Took off at 2235 for training navigation flight, SCAAB to SCAAB via Marquette, Michigan.
3. At 0145(approx.) we were approximately 15 miles to the left of Marquette. At this time discovered oil leak in oil line to what I believe the propeller governor.
4. At approximately 0155 turned left on a course to Duluth, Min., for emergency landing. The time elapsed from 0145 to 0155 was in determining emergency landing field.
5. At approximately 0200 I went aft to radio compartment leaving co-pilot and engineer at controls. I cautioned the men to be on alert for a possible bail out, that they should check their chutes. I also told them we were having trouble with #3 engine but there was nothing to worry them just to be ready as a safety precaution.
6. As I re-entered the cockpit, co-pilot was trying to feather #3 engine. #3 engine would not feather – smoke and sparks were coming from engine. I strapped myself in pilot’s seat and tried to feather #3 while co-pilot handled the controls. I didn’t succeed, I tried to blow it out. Cowl flaps would not open. Engine was burning quite fiercely. There were no engine fire extinguishers installed. I put the alarm bell in the “on” position and left it there. We were over water on a course for Duluth. I turned to a course heading toward shore, approximately two miles away. When I thought we were over shore, I rang the alarm to bail out. The fire appeared to be going through the firewall, the engine mounting was melting or burning. I called on the crew to bail out over the interphone, but it was out. We had trouble with the interphone the entire flight. I sent engineer back with his chute to warn all the crew members ….illegible…..auto- pilot warmed up. I told co-pilot to head aft and put his chute on. Previously, I had ordered bombardier, Lt. Reitschel to salvo bomb and bomb bay tank. He opened doors …illegible… and bombs and tank failed to release. ….illegible……emergency release, which I did. I then instructed co-pilot ……illegible….he returned and said bombs were still in. I instructed ….illegible… to bail out of the forward escape hatch with bombardier and navigator. I turned on auto-pilot, I got out of the seat and verified that the co-pilot had bailed out. Just before I left cockpit, I checked the radio room and waist again to see if any men were left in the plane. I could see all the way back to the tail as the lights were on and doors open. I then bailed out as a minor explosion took place in the right wing, throwing me against the side of the forward escape hatch. On the way down (altitude approximately 6,000 feet indicated) I watched plane fly in a long diving turn to the right. After landing, I saw the plane disappear over treetops to the north and west of me.

                                                                                          Thomas P. Smith, Jr.

                                                                                           2^nd Lt.

*The above is reproduced from the official crash report, anything in bold italics was almost illegible and may not be verbatim. ___________________________________________________________________________