1943 – Apr 12, USAAF B-24 crash after takeoff 3½M SE Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, AZ–10

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-12-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–10  AP. “Tucson Crash Kills 10 Fliers.” Arizona Independent Republic, 4-13-1943, p. 1.

–10  Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US, V1, 1941-Jun 1943, pp. 336-337.

Narrative Information

Mireles: “At 0606 MWT, a Consolidated B-24D crashed three and one-half miles southeast of Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona, killing the crew of ten. Investigation revealed that the B-24 had taken off to the southeast on Runway 12 at 0603 on a gunnery exercise and simulated bombing mission. Apparently, the B-24 flew into the ground about two and one-half miles ESE of the southeast end of Runway 12 shortly after take-off, exploding into flames upon impact. Investigators could not determine why the airplane apparently flew into the ground….”  (Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US, V1, 1941-Jun 1943, pp. 336-337.)

Newspaper

Apr 12, AP: “Tucson, Apr. 12 – (AP) – The entire crew of a BG-24 bomber, 10 men, was killed when the big, four-motored craft crashed 3½ miles southeast of Davis-Monthan field shortly after 6 a.m., today, it was announced by the public relations office at the base. Air base officials said the plane was on a routine training flight. Further information regarding the crash was unobtainable. The dead:

Second Lt. William A. Furner, pilot…Oak Park, Ill.

Second Lt. Frank Berry Jr., co-pilot…Borger, Tex.

Second Lt. Robert H. McCelvey, navigator…Vernon, Tex.

Staff Sgt. Valmore A Beausolell, gunner…Uxbridge, Mass.

Staff Sgt. Albert G. Conte, radio operator…Malone, N.Y.

Staff Sgt. Kenneth J. Oestreich, engineer…Waseca, Minn.

Staff Sgt. Henry F. Warner, assistant radio operator…Brooklyn, N.Y.

Sgt. Robert E. Funk, assistant engineer…Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Corp. Robert J. Norris, gunner instructor…Shawnee, O.

Pfc. Comer L. Jenkins, gunner instructor…Alamo, Ga.”

(Associated Press. “Tucson Crash Kills 10 Fliers.” Arizona Independent Republic, 4-13-1943, p.1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Tucson Crash Kills 10 Fliers.” Arizona Independent Republic, 4-13-1943, p. 1. Accessed 5-12-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/arizona-independent-republic-apr-13-1943-p-19/

Mireles, Anthony J.  Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 1:  Introduction, January 1941 – June 1943).  Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.