Boeing B-29 Superfortress

While performing a test flight, the airplane was abandoned by the crew and crashed 19 km east southeast of Walker AFB. Four crew members were killed and three others were injured.

On approach to Lajes, the aircraft suffered an engine failure, stalled and crashed. All 16 crew members were killed.

Three minutes after takeoff from runway 08 at Kirtland AFB, while in initial climb, the heavy bomber went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion on a mountain slope located near Sandia, about 5,7 miles east of the airbase. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 13 crew members were killed. Detonators were installed in the bomb on board the aircraft. The bomb case was demolished ans some high explosive (HE) material burned in the gasoline fire. Other pieces of unburned HE were scattered throughout the wreckage. Four spare detonators in their carrying case were recovered undamaged. There were no contamination or recovery problems. The recovered components of the weapon were returned to the Atomic Energy Commission. Both the weapon and the capsule of nuclear material were on board the aircraft but the capsule was not inserted for safety reasons.

The airplane departed Kelly AFB on a test flight, carrying two pilots and four engineers, all civil employees. An unexpected situation occurred and the airplane crashed 10 km west of the airbase, bursting into flames. All six occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Crew:
Cpt Mayo Neyland, pilot,
Cpt Ralph Tift, copilot.
Passengers:
R. A. Parker,
C. T. Lowrimore,
J. E. Abbey,
L. E. Yates.

The airplane was dispatched out from Spokane AFB on a SAR mission after a Convair B-36 was missing since the previous day. Following a technical stop at Malmstrom AFB, the bomber took off in the early morning to resume the patrol mission. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of about 100 feet, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion 5 km southwest of the airbase. Eight crew members were killed and seven others were injured.
Crew:
Maj Clyde Butts, pilot, †
Cpt Lester V. Johnson Jr., copilot, †
Cpt Johnathan M. Herbold, copilot, †
1st Lt Herbert S. Findley, navigator, †
1st Lt John S. Bomberg, bombardier, †
S/Sgt Robert E. Fisher, flight engineer, †
Cpl James V, Fulton, radio operator, †
S/Sgt James Di Ploro, radio operator, †
Lt Frederick N. Willard,
M/Sgt Earl E. Everet,
S/Sgt Troy E. Evans,
S/Sgt Victor Jacquot,
S/Sgt Charles J. Wilson,
Sgt Clarence R. Abernathy,
Cpl Raymond D. Brandel.

On final approach to Walker AFB, the heavy bomber went out of control and crashed in flames two miles south of the airbase. Seven crew members were killed while five others were injured.
Crew:
1st Lt Robert L. Eyman, pilot, †
1st Lt Richard S. Leggio, †
1st Lt Robert Vander Muellen, †
Cpt Charles A. Whitlock, †
Cpt John R. Simonson,
Cpt William J. Karp,
S/Sgt Thomas O. Roybal, †
S/Sgt Glenn Howard Stoddard Jr.,
S/Sgt Carmello J. Cannata, †
Sgt Adria L. Edgell, †
Sgt William A. Sauer,
Cpl William F. MacDonnell,
Pfc Bobbie E. Coffman,
Pfc Robert L. Adams.

The Boeing B-29-70-BW Superfortress registered 44-69939 was carrying a crew of 11 and was flying at an altitude of 26,000 feet. A second Boeing B-29-50-MO Superfortress registered 44-86364 was carrying a crew of 10 and was flying about 1,000 feet above when one of its engine failed. The aircraft lost height, cut the path of the first B-29 and both aircraft collided at FL260. Out of control, both aircraft dove into the ground and during the dive, two crew members in the first B-29 and one crewman in the second B-29 were able to bail out before both aircraft crashed in a prairie located some 11 miles northwest of Stockton. The three crewmen who were able to bail out were found unhurt while all 18 other occupants in both aircraft were killed.

The Boeing B-29-70-BW Superfortress registered 44-69939 was carrying a crew of 11 and was flying at an altitude of 26,000 feet. A second Boeing B-29-50-MO Superfortress registered 44-86364 was carrying a crew of 10 and was flying about 1,000 feet above when one of its engine failed. The aircraft lost height, cut the path of the first B-29 and both aircraft collided at FL260. Out of control, both aircraft dove into the ground and during the dive, two crew members in the first B-29 and one crewman in the second B-29 were able to bail out before both aircraft crashed in a prairie located some 11 miles northwest of Stockton. The three crewmen who were able to bail out were found unhurt while all 18 other occupants in both aircraft were killed.

The crew was performing a flight from Riverside, California, to the UK. En route over the Atlantic Ocean, the crew encountered engine problems and the captain decided to ditch the aircraft 385 miles northeast of Bermuda. Following the accident, 18 crewmen took refuge in dinghies while two others were drowned. About two days later, the crew of a USAF B-17 spotted the survivors who were eventually rescued and evacuated by the crew of the Canadian destroyer christened 'Haida' 72 hours after the accident. The aircraft was lost.

The crew was engaged in a reconnaissance mission from Hamilton-Kindley Field. While flying about 25 miles west of St George's Island, the aircraft christened 'Hurricane Hattie' suffered an engine failure. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into the sea, killing all 11 crew members.
Crew (373rd Reconnaissance Squadron):
Maj Roy H. Bruns
Cpt Cleo S. Maddox,
Cpt John C. Mays,
1st Lt James E. Shewey,
1st Lt Andrew J. Rooks,
T/Sgt Clarence J. Hyatt,
S/Sgt Harry N. Barker,
S/Sgt Preston S. Treadway,
Sgt James A. Sapp,
Cpl Harry N. Carden,
Cpl Robert D. Myrman.