United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947)

The crew was assigned for a night training mission to several targets around Carrizozo, Vaughn, Albuquerque, west of Socorro and Magdalena, New Mexico. After Albuquerque, the crew navigated southwards by visually following the Rio Grande. Once clear of Ladron Peak, the navigator commanded a course to the southwest for the La Jencia Basin, west of Socorro Peak, for some low-level flight manoeuvres. Flying below 1,000 feet, the crew located several targets placed on the plains for flight and bombing practice. The lights from the village of Magdalena came into view. Continuing, the B17 approached Magdalena from the northeast for a bombing run on the airstrip northeast of town. Flying at only 700 feet, the B-17 crossed the small airstrip, circled over the village, and made a second pass over the airstrip. With the evening's mission completed, it was time to return to Alamogordo. The airplane took up a heading of southeast and started climbing. It struck the northwest slope of North Baldy Peak located approximately 10 km southeast from Magdalena at 9,500 foot elevation, only 25 metres from the summit. The tail section remained on the northwest side of the mountain; engines, wings, and fuselage catapulted over the crest to the southeast side of the mountain and caught fire, burning all night. The right wing separated and fell into the deep canyon south of the peak with two of the engines. All nine crew members were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt Joseph L. Grant,
2nd Lt Donald F. Jackson,
2nd Lt Lawrence Wilburn Van Tassel,
2nd Lt John R. Pratt,
S/Sgt Robert C. Myers,
S/Sgt Thomas C. Ferron,
Sgt Hanson E. Ortmyer,
Sgt Dale R. Rottier,
Sgt William G. Walls.

The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances 6 km east of Richburg. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew:
S/Sgt William Smith Allen,
S/Sgt Woodrow W. Crowder,
2nd Lt Henry W. Curtis,
2nd Lt Malcolm P. Getchell,
Sgt Edward C. Patrick,
2nd Lt Arthur Vernon Pontius,
Sgt George E. Stock.

For unknown reasons, the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing. The airplane crash landed in hilly terrain some 40 km southeast of Blythe. There were no casualties.

After takeoff from Piarco Airport, the airplane lost height and crashed near Cumuto, some 13 km east of the airfield. There were no casualties.

The twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances at Belen Airfield. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt Boyd C. Knetsar, pilot,
Avc Earl William Ferris Jr.,
Avc John J. Fischer.

While cruising off Nadi, the airplane collided in midair with a P-39 and crashed into the sea off Tai Island. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt Merlin C. Douglass,
2nd Lt Charles S. Drewyour,
Pvt Jack J. Howard,
1st Lt Thomas O'Connor,
1st Lt Richard T. Otis,
S/Sgt Coleman D. Ramsey,
Pfc Howard G. Spencer.

Crashed on takeoff from New Castle Airport, Wilmington, prior to be delivered to the Royal Air Force with registration FA174. There were no casualties.

Crashed for unknown reasons into the Kahana Bay. There were no casualties.

For unknown reasons, the crew ditched the airplane off Aruba Island. There were no casualties.

The crew was performing a local training exercise at Camp Hulen AFB, Palacios. The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances near the airfield, killing all three crew members.
Crew:
S/Sgt Charles V. Cappadonna,
Pvt Owen D. Douglas,
S/Sgt Ray Scott.