1943 — Dec 15, USAAF B-17F takeoff engine problem & crash, Ardmore AAF, OK–all 12
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-21-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
— 12 Aviation Safety Network. USAAF B-17F takeoff crash Ardmore AAB, 12-15-1943.
— 12 Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). 10-28-2011 rev.
— 12 Daily Ardmoreite, OK. “12 Men Killed in Crash Near Army Air Base.” 12-15-1943, p. 1.
— 12 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 615.
Narrative Information
Baugher: “Boeing B-17F-35-BO Fortress….42-5136 crashed Dec 15, 1943 at Ardmore AAF, OK. Aircraft suffered engine problem on takeoff; on return to base hit trees 1/2 mi S of base. 12 killed.” (Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). 10-28-2011 rev.)
Mireles: “At 0602, a Boeing B-17F crashed one-quarter mile south of the Army Air Base at Ardmore, Oklahoma, killing 12 passengers and crew. The airplane had taken off from Ardmore AAB at 0559 on a gunnery mission that was to be conducted at Galveston, Texas. The airplane took off to the north in darkness, making a low 180-degree turn to the left to a point about one-half mile south of the North-South Runway. The airplane began experiencing engine trouble during the turn and the pilot elected to return to the field. The pilot apparently stalled the airplane at an altitude too low to allow for recovery and it struck the ground at an angle of approximately 80 degrees where it exploded into flames, scattering wreckage for over 100 yards. It was speculated that there was trouble in more than one engine.” (Mireles 2006, V2, p. 615.)
Newspaper
Dec 15: “One of the planes of the 395th combat crew training school here crashed at approximately 6 o’clock Wednesday morning one mile northeast of the base, it was reported by Lieut. Col. Leo J. Leeburn, commanding officer of the school. It is believed all 12 men aboard the plane, a heavy bomber, were killed instantly in the crash. An official investigation into the cause of the accident is under progress. Names of casualties will be announced later pending notification of next of kin.”
(Daily Ardmoreite, OK. “12 Men Killed in Crash Near Army Air Base.” 12-15-1943, p. 1.
Sources
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1943. USAAF B-17F takeoff crash Ardmore AAB, 12-15-1943. Accessed 4-21-2024 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/97625
Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). Oct 28 2011 revision. Accessed 12-9-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_1.html
Daily Ardmoreite, OK. “12 Men Killed in Crash Near Army Air Base.” 12-15-1943, p. 1. Accessed 4-21-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ardmore-daily-ardmoreite-dec-15-1943-p-1/
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.