Date & Time:
Feb 26, 1943 at 2119 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Registration:
42-29528
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Biggs - Biggs
MSN:
4642
YOM:
1942
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
10
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Biggs AFB on a night training exercise. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot lost control of the airplane that lot height and crashed near the airfield. Ten crew members were killed and the pilot was seriously injured.
Crew:
2nd Lt Edward M. Kelley, pilot,
F/O Charles G. Novak, copilot, †
Sgt Victor A. Berreth, flight engineer, †
S/Sgt Melvin P. Simms, assistant flight engineer, †
1st Lt James W. Bishop, navigator, †
Sgt Adelbert J. Burke, radio operator, †
Sgt Woodrow W. Erwin, assistant radio operator, †
2nd Lt Ernest F. Pasqua, bombardier, †
S/Sgt Joseph P. Baucom, air gunner, †
Sgt Robert M. Parchman, air gunner, †
Sgt Howard T. Speak. †
Crew:
2nd Lt Edward M. Kelley, pilot,
F/O Charles G. Novak, copilot, †
Sgt Victor A. Berreth, flight engineer, †
S/Sgt Melvin P. Simms, assistant flight engineer, †
1st Lt James W. Bishop, navigator, †
Sgt Adelbert J. Burke, radio operator, †
Sgt Woodrow W. Erwin, assistant radio operator, †
2nd Lt Ernest F. Pasqua, bombardier, †
S/Sgt Joseph P. Baucom, air gunner, †
Sgt Robert M. Parchman, air gunner, †
Sgt Howard T. Speak. †
Probable cause:
The pilot stated to investigators that while following approximately 30 seconds behind another B-17 departing, he could not see the horizon after the end of runway lights. His vision followed the leading aircraft's lights and he began flying by instruments. Apparently the lead's propeller turbulence had caused his aircraft to drift to the right, and not gaining elevation, the bomber flew into rising, rough terrain. Investigators noted that had the landing lights been used during takeoff, the accident may have been avoided.
