Search for a DB-3m long-range bomber in the Chekhov district of the Moscow region
The work was based on the information received from a concerned resident of the Chekhov district. His father told him about the plane crash during the Great Patriotic War and the grave of unknown pilots at the cemetery of D. Khlevino. As a result of the work detecting duralumin debris in the nearest forest area, the place of the alleged hard forced landing of the aircraft with the subsequent fire and possible partial detonation of ammunition was localized. A shallow crater formed by the exploded ammunition and the area surrounding it were examined. There numerous fragments of the aircraft and melted debris of two engines are found. As a result of the work, lifting material was collected, which allowed us to establish the type of aircraft – this is a long-range bomber of the Db-3M type produced by plant No. 126 (Komsomolsk-on-Amur).
Duplicate numbers of both engines of the M-88b type 882328 and 882479 were found on the wreckage of the engines. But most importantly, the search engines found parts of the headset earphone, parts of the parachute system, and fragments of the clip of the service weapon, indicating the death of one of the crew members.
According to the numbers found, CCH specialists have started archival work. It will possibly determine the fate of its crew members. According to the preliminary results of the work, it was found that the adjacent engine numbers were installed on Db-3m aircraft manufactured by plant No. 126 at the end of 1941 (approximately the 60th serial series). By analogy with the known figures, this aircraft was lost assumingly in late 1941 or the first half of 1942. The available materials of the long-range aviation units that worked on this type of aircraft during the specified period in the Central direction were studied, which made it possible to narrow the range of combat units to which this aircraft could belong, for further study of stock materials stored in the Central Archive of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (CAMO).
Research on the wreckage of the aircraft, archival research, and development of versions continue. There is a plan to continue search work at the scene of the flight accident to find the aircraft’s serial number and personal belongings of the crew in 2021.
Search and archival work are carried out within the framework of the project of the Search Movement of Russia “Homeland sky”.
