1943 — Aug 18, USAAF B-24E engine fire and crash, Otero County, NM –all 12
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-30-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–12 AP. “Army Reports Names of 12 Killed in Big Bomber Crash.” Albuquerque Journal, NM, 8-20-1943,7
–12 AP. “Bomber Crash Kills 12 Men.” Salt Lake Tribune, UT. 8-19-1943, p. 5.
–12 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 480.
–12 San Antonio Light, TX. “War Hero Dies in Crash.” 8-19-1943, p. 23.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 0733 MWT, a Consolidated B-24E suffering an apparent fire in the number-three engine crashed in a remote region of Otero County, New Mexico, 25 miles northeast of Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas, killing 12 fliers. Investigators stated,
At 0725, B-24E Airplane No. 41-29045 took off from Biggs Field in a northerly direction on a training mission. Eight minutes later, the airplane was seen by witnesses 25 miles northeast of the field at a low altitude heading south towards Biggs Field, trailing black smoke. Witnesses stated that after trailing this black smoke for approximately ten seconds, the airplane burst into flames and plunged to the ground. Examination of the wreckage indicated that an explosion in the air had occurred and that the airplane contacted the ground in an inverted position. All persons on board were killed instantly. Evidence indicated that [the number-three engine] separated from the airplane prior to contact to the ground. It was determined that the wheels were down and locked at the time of impact.”
(Mireles 2006, V2, p. 480.)
Newspaper
Aug 19: “El Paso, Aug. 19. – (INS) – A decorated army flier was among 12 airmen killed when a heavy bomber from Briggs field crashed and burned 30 miles northeast of El Paso, military authorities announced today. The dead hero was Capt. Robert B. Smith, instructor pilot who last Sunday was awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster to his Distinguished Flying Cross in a ceremony at Briggs field.” (San Antonio Light, TX. “War Hero Dies in Crash.” 8-19-1943, p. 23.)
Aug 19: “El Paso, Texas, Aug. 18 (AP) – Twelve men were killed Wednesday in the crash of a heavy bomber 30 miles northeast of its Biggs field base while on a routine flight. The plane burned. The public relations office Wednesday night announced the list of dead and next of kin including:
Second Lieutenant Raymond R. Farmer (pilot);
Mrs. Jeanne Parmer, Sacramento, Cal.
Captain Robert B. Smith (instructor pilot);
Colonel Andrew M. Mith, Hickam field, T. H.
“Captain Smith received the oak leaf cluster to the distinguished flying cross in a ceremony at Biggs field Sunday. He came here recently after 15 months of combat duty in the south and southwest Pacific.” (Associated Press. “Bomber Crash Kills 12 Men.” Salt Lake Tribune, UT. 8-19-1943, p. 5.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Army Reports Names of 12 Killed in Big Bomber Crash..” Albuquerque Journal, NM, 8-20-1943, p. 7. Accessed 4-29-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albuquerque-journal-aug-20-1943-p-7/
Associated Press. “Bomber Crash Kills 12 Men.” Salt Lake Tribune, UT. 8-19-1943, p. 5. Accessed 4-30-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-tribune-aug-19-1943-p-5/
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.
San Antonio Light, TX. “War Hero Dies in Crash.” 8-19-1943, p. 23. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=68941439