1943 – Feb 25, USAAF B-17F crash 25 miles north of Glenrock, WY –all 10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-16-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 AP. “Ten Crewmen Die In Crash Of Big Bomber.” Lubbock Morning Avalanche, 2-27-1943, 1.
–10 Mireles 2006, Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents in US 1941-1945, Vol. 1, p. 284.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At a time between 2131 and 2140, a Boeing B-17F crashed 25 miles north of Glenrock, Wyoming, killing the crew of ten….
“Investigators stated,
B-17F #42-5102 took off from Army Air Base, Casper, Wyoming, at 2110 MWT on a local bombing mission, to return at 2300 MWT. Pilot was cleared from Control Tower to high altitude bombing range, to bomb at 10,000 feet. Upon arriving at the range, the pilot reported clouds at the assigned altitude and requested permission to bomb at 8,500 feet. This new altitude was approved at 2130 MWT by the Control Tower and was the last radio contact with [the airplane]. Sometime between 2130 and 2140 MWT, B-17F #42-5102 crashed into the ground 25 miles north of Glenrock, about one- quarter mile west of Ross Road.
The airplane was evidently traveling south when it crashed just below and to one side of the crest of a small hill. There was no evidence to show the airplane had touched at any other place than where it stopped, that is, it had not skipped. The #1 and #2 engines were uphill, and dug into the ground about 12 inches. The #3 and #4 engines were downhill and had dug into the ground about six inches deeper. The right wing tip was pleated with accordion-like folds — demonstrating that the right wing probably hit first. The tail and what was left of the fuselage ended up in the same place as the nose. Wreckage was strewn as far as 1,000 feet from the point of impact. The way pieces of flesh and the airplane were scattered indicated a terrific explosion at the time of impact. The burned area was about 400 feet long and 200 feet wide. The main wreckage was so tangled and burned that nothing could be determined. Propeller blades were in low pitch, and what would be the lower blade on each propeller was broken off. Propeller blades were comparatively unbent, considering the impact with which the airplane must have hit the ground.
It is assumed that the pilot encountered instrument conditions and, inasmuch as he had a very limited amount of instrument experience and time, became confused. There were icing conditions in the clouds at the time of the accident and it is the Committee’s opinion that the pitot tube might have iced up, adding to the pilot’s confusion. A further assumption is that the pilot lost his bearings and fell out of the overcast out of control. Other pilots flying the same mission reported they encountered no trouble in flight, other than mild instrument weather and some icing.
“Killed in the crash were: [We break the paragraph into separate lines.]
2Lt. Lewis R. Machala, pilot;
2Lt. Ned J. Devries, co-pilot;
2Lt. Harry N. Cannon, navigator;
2Lt. Joseph M. Hirshman, bombardier;
SSgt. John Madden, engineer;
SSgt. John F. Elson, assistant engineer;
SSgt. Eugene D. Giles, Jr., radio operator
SSgt. Alfred W. Fuller, assistant radio operator;
Sgt. James C. Fisher, gunner;
SSgt. Robert C. Parrott, gunner.”
(Mireles 2006, Fatal Army AF Accidents in US 1941-1945, V1, p. 284.)
Newspaper
Feb 26, AP: “Casper, Wyo., Feb. 26. (AP) – A four-motored bomber from the Casper Army Air base crashed about 30 miles northwest of Glenrock, Wyo., last night, killing the ten members of its crew, the air base public relations office announced today. The plane was on a routine training flight. Cause of the crash is being investigated by officers from the base. The names of the victims were withheld pending notification of the next of kin.” (Associated Press. “Ten Crewmen Die In Crash Of Big Bomber.” Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. 2-27-1943, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Ten Crewmen Die In Crash Of Big Bomber.” Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. 2-27-1943, p. 1. Accessed 5-16-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/lubbock-morning-avalanche-feb-27-1943-p-1/
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.