Crash of a Boeing B-17F-95-BO Flying Fortress near West Yellowstone: 10 killed
Date & Time:
May 23, 1943 at 0039 LT
Operator:
Registration:
42-30260
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Marysville - Lewiston
MSN:
5374
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Marysville, California, on a return flight to base in Lewiston, Montana. After passing over Reno, the crew encountered icing conditions and turbulence. The captain climbed to the altitude of 15,000 but weather conditions were still marginal. Approaching Yellowstone, the airplane got iced and the captain ordered his crew to bail out. Unfortunately, only one crew (the bombardier) was able to abandon the airplane that entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a huge explosion six km south of West Yellowstone. Ten crew members were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt George A. Brast, †
2nd Lt Robert K. Edwards, †
2nd Lt James J. Highley, †
2nd Lt William F. McDonald, bombardier,
2nd Lt Roy E. Thompson, †
S/Sgt Alexander G. Jurkowski, †
S/Sgt Willard McCune, †
S/Sgt Lawrence W. Medlin, †
S/Sgt Donald W. Rice, †
S/Sgt Leo E. Thorn, †
S/Sgt Gilbert E. Underwood. †
Crew:
2nd Lt George A. Brast, †
2nd Lt Robert K. Edwards, †
2nd Lt James J. Highley, †
2nd Lt William F. McDonald, bombardier,
2nd Lt Roy E. Thompson, †
S/Sgt Alexander G. Jurkowski, †
S/Sgt Willard McCune, †
S/Sgt Lawrence W. Medlin, †
S/Sgt Donald W. Rice, †
S/Sgt Leo E. Thorn, †
S/Sgt Gilbert E. Underwood. †
Probable cause:
Icing conditions and turbulence.
