1943 – Aug 16, USAAF B-24E loss of power crash after takeoff, Gowen Field, Boise, ID– 10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-28-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 478.
–10 UP. “26 Airmen Killed In Three Crashes.” Twin Falls Times News, ID. 8-17-1943, p. 1.
Narrative Information
Mireles: At 1640 MWT, a Consolidated B-24E crashed just after take-off from Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, killing the crew of ten. The B-24 was to fly a gunnery mission when it slammed into the ground and exploded violently into flames two miles west of the control tower. Investigators stated,
“Pilot took off on runway 28-R at 1639 MWT, and proceeded in what appeared to be a normal take off. After the landing gear was retracted, and after approximately 800 feet of altitude was attained, the airplane slowly banked to the left, increasing the bank to a very steep [angle]. The airplane then made a tight spiral to the left, losing altitude, finally striking the ground nose first [at an angle approaching 90 degrees] after completing one 360-degree circle. Investigation of the accident reveals the following: The #1. Propeller appears to have been in the full high pitch position, the #2 propeller was feathered, the #3 and #4 propellers were approximately in the normal position for climb. The positions of all four propellers relative to rpm settings were correct at the time of the crash … the loss of power in #1 and #2 engines appears to have caused the ship to crash.” (Mireles 2006, Vol. 2, p. 478.)
Newspaper
Aug 17, UP: “Boise, Aug. 17 (U.P.) – Names of 10 airmen who were killed when their four-engined bomber crashed two miles west of their Gowen field base late yesterday were released today by Capt. R. R. Whitmer, public relations officer. None of the victims were Idahoans. The dead include three second lieutenants and seven enlisted men. The officers were Second Lieut. Stuart S. Abel, Lowrys, S.C.; Second Lieut. John W. Erb, Rochester, N.Y., and Second Lieut. Stanley E. Abramczyk, New Britain, Conn.
“The plane was seen to fall from a low altitude shortly before 5 p.m. yesterday. It burst into flames after crashing. The crash was the first at the field since the base switched from Flying Fortresses to B-24 Liberator bombers.” (United Press. “26 Airmen Killed In Three Crashes.” Twin Falls Times News, ID. 8-17-1943, p. 1.)
Sources
Mireles, Anthony J. Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 2: July 1943 – July 1944). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.
United Press. “26 Airmen Killed In Three Crashes.” Twin Falls Times News, ID. 8-17-1943, p. 1. Accessed 4-28-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/twin-falls-times-news-aug-17-1943-p-1/