5 WWII Aircraft That Were More Dangerous to Their Pilots Than the Enemy

During World War II, advancements in aircraft design happened at a rapid pace. However, not all aircraft were created equal. Some were so poorly designed or difficult to fly that they posed more danger to their pilots than to the enemy. While many planes went on to serve as iconic symbols of the war, others were notorious for their flaws. Here are five examples of WWII aircraft that were more dangerous to their own pilots than the enemy.

1. Brewster F2A Buffalo

The Brewster F2A Buffalo was one of the first monoplane fighters used by the United States Navy, but it quickly gained a bad reputation among pilots. Despite initial hopes that it would be a cutting-edge fighter, it soon became clear that the Buffalo was too slow and poorly armored to compete with more agile enemy aircraft. The aircraft’s performance was especially bad in the Pacific Theater, where it faced off against faster and more maneuverable Japanese fighters.

Pilots also found the Buffalo difficult to handle. Its heavy design made it sluggish in combat, and the engine often overheated in tropical conditions. As a result, many pilots felt they were flying a deathtrap. In combat, the F2A Buffalo was quickly outclassed, and many squadrons begged for more reliable replacements. The plane’s limitations not only put the lives of its pilots at risk but also led to numerous avoidable losses early in the war.

2. Me 163 Komet

The German Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet was a revolutionary aircraft, being the first and only operational rocket-powered fighter during the war. While it was capable of astonishing speeds, with the ability to outpace any Allied aircraft, it had major flaws that made it highly dangerous to its own pilots. The Komet’s rocket engine ran on a highly volatile fuel mixture, which made takeoff and landing extremely risky. Many pilots died not from enemy fire, but from explosions caused by fuel leaks or other mechanical issues.

Additionally, the plane’s high-speed performance came with another drawback—extremely limited flight time. The Komet could only stay in the air for a few minutes before running out of fuel, leaving pilots vulnerable as they glided back to the ground. This combination of technical difficulties and dangerous fuel systems made the Me 163 Komet one of the riskiest aircraft to fly in WWII.

3. Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, a U.S. Navy dive bomber, was meant to be an improvement over its predecessor, the Douglas SBD Dauntless. However, it earned the nickname “Son of a Bitch 2nd Class” from pilots who found it difficult to handle. The Helldiver was plagued by numerous technical problems throughout its service, including a weak tail structure, poor handling, and unreliable landing gear. It was prone to structural failures during dives, which could be catastrophic for its crew.

Pilots complained that the aircraft was heavy and sluggish, making it difficult to control, especially in combat situations. Although it eventually became more reliable after multiple redesigns, the early models were so dangerous that many pilots feared the plane as much as the enemy. Despite its rough start, the Helldiver played a role in major Pacific battles, but its reputation as a dangerous aircraft stuck with it throughout the war.

4. Hawker Typhoon

The Hawker Typhoon was originally designed as a high-speed interceptor, but it struggled in this role due to engine reliability issues and structural weaknesses. Early versions of the Typhoon had a tendency for the tail to break off mid-flight, leading to numerous fatal crashes. Additionally, the aircraft’s Napier Sabre engine was prone to overheating and catching fire, especially during takeoff.

Pilots who flew the Typhoon often found themselves battling their own aircraft as much as the enemy. Despite these dangerous flaws, the Typhoon was later adapted into a ground-attack aircraft, where it proved highly effective. However, its early years were marked by a high number of accidents, and many pilots paid the price for flying an aircraft that was as dangerous to them as it was to enemy forces.

5. P-39 Airacobra

The Bell P-39 Airacobra was an innovative fighter design with its engine located behind the pilot and a 37mm cannon mounted in the nose. While this unique configuration gave it a powerful punch, it also introduced serious problems. The aircraft’s weight distribution made it tricky to handle, and the engine’s position behind the cockpit posed a direct threat to the pilot in the event of a crash. Furthermore, the P-39 lacked a turbocharger, limiting its effectiveness at high altitudes where many air battles took place.

Pilots flying the P-39 often found themselves at a disadvantage against higher-flying enemy aircraft. Additionally, the cockpit’s armor protection was insufficient, making the pilot vulnerable during combat. Although the P-39 saw some success in the hands of Soviet pilots on the Eastern Front, where most battles took place at lower altitudes, many American and British pilots considered it one of the more dangerous planes to fly during the war.