Biggs AAF (El Paso)

Shortly after takeoff from Biggs AAF, while in initial climb, the aircraft suffered a technical issue and crashed two miles from the airfield. The navigator, 1st Lt H. R. Dow, was killed.

The crew was performing a navigational exercice out from Biggs AFB, Texas. While cruising at an altitude of 7,000 feet, the aircraft went into a spin and crashed in a vertical attitude in a huge explosion in a field located southwest of Lebanon. All 16 crew members, among them four officers, were killed. The impact and the blast tore a hole in the ground that was about 18 feet deep and at least 75 feet wide.
Crew (97th BW):
1st Lt Harvey E. Martin, pilot,
Cpt John F. Adams Jr., pilot,
Apt Paul E. Anderson Jr.,
S/Sgt Ellis E. Smith,
S/Sgt James A. Travis,
S/Sgt Russell E. Moore,
Sgt Alcide Danos,
Pfc George L. Martin,
T/Sgt Charles W. Pickett,
T/Sgt Joseph Veid,
T/Sgt Vernon W. Diggle,
S/Sgt W. O. Timmons,
S/Sgt James M. Tennille Jr.,
S/Sgt Thomas James Mullen 2.

Five minutes after its takeoff from Chatham AFB, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a swampy area located along the Savannah River. All 11 crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cpt George V. Scaringen, pilot,
Cpt. Andrew G. Walker, pilot,
Lt Rogers Hornsby Jr.,
1st Lt Robert W. Beckman, bombardier,
Cpt Anthony C. Colandro, radar navigator,
1st Lt James W. Johnson Jr., flight engineer,
T/Sgt Leonard B. Hughes, flight engineer,
S/Sgt Fred W. Cunningham, radio operator and gunner,
S/Sgt Manson L. Gregg, gunner,
S/Sgt Garnell W. Myers, gunner,
S/Sgt Billy C. Bristol, gunner.

En route from Biggs AFB to Lowry AFB, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. In low visibility, the airplane impacted the ground and crashed 6 km west of Raton. The aircraft was destroyed and all 10 crew members were killed.
Crew:
Walter C. Williams,
Melvin R. Truman,
James L. Reidinger,
Martin L. Murray,
Floyd C. Melton Jr.,
Frank M. Kackstetter,
James R. Irby,
Carl A. Hill,
Arthur L. Gaudreault,
Melvin C. Brock.

The aircraft was part of a convoy of seven C-82's flying from Biggs AFB (El Paso) to Eglin AFB, Florida. En route, the crew encountered technical problems with an engine and the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing. He reduced his altitude, avoided trees and elected to make a belly landing in an open field. The aircraft hit a fence, slid for several yards and came to rest. A part of the fuselage was broken and four passengers were killed, a fifth was seriously injured. The aircraft was written off.

The aircraft was performing a flight from Biggs AFB, El Paso, to Sacramento, California. While cruising by night in stormy weather, the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed on the Mt Pinos located some 14 miles west of Lebec. All five occupants were killed. The wreckage was found by walkers on 13MAY1945 only.
Crew:
Peter Antrobus, pilot
Floyd E. George, copilot
Frank S. Holmes, navigator
Edward Watkins, radio operator
Passenger:
Max K. Nelson.

Shortly after take off from Biggs AAF, while climbing, the four engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a desert area located some 6 miles northeast of the airbase. Two crew members were killed while four others were injured.

The crew was performing a training exercise in the vicinity of Biggs AFB when the airplane collided with a second USAAF Consolidated B-24 Liberator registered 42-6990 that was also engaged in a local training flight with a crew of nine on board. Following the collision, both airplanes dove into the ground and crashed 6,5 km northeast of the airbase. All 15 crew members in both airplanes were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt Avalee E. Huie,
2nd Lt Richard H. Kemp,
2nd Lt Alvin Glickman,
S/Sgt Harry H. Crowe Jr.,
S/Sgt Jack W. Dempsey,
S/Sgt Clair C. McFeathers Jr.

The crew was performing a training exercise in the vicinity of Biggs AFB when the airplane collided with a second USAAF Consolidated B-24 Liberator registered 42-7000 that was also engaged in a local training flight with a crew of six on board. Following the collision, both airplanes dove into the ground and crashed 6,5 km northeast of the airbase. All 15 crew members in both airplanes were killed.
Crew:
Lt Col Samuel C. Mitchell,
Cpt Ira B. Benger,
Cpt Robert S. Von Schrilitz,
Cpt Jack S. McCarty,
1st Lt Frederick M. Edler,
S/Sgt Alfred R. Longo,
Sgt John W. Hoerr,
Sgt Carl L. Sitek,
Pvt E. M. Radicot.

Crashed on takeoff and damaged beyond repair. There were no fatalities.