1943 – Jan 24, USAAF B-24D icing crash, Mescalero Indian Reservation, ~Ruidoso NM–10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-18-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation. ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 100137.
–10 Las Cruces Sun News, NM. “10 Men Die in Plane Crash Near Ruidoso.” 1-26-1943, p. 1.
–10 Mireles 2006, Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents in US 1941-1945, Vol. 1, p. 249.
Narrative Information
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation. ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 100137:
“Date: Sunday 24 January 1943 Time: 20:05
“Type: Consolidated B-24D Liberator
“Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
“Registration: 41-24038
….
“Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 12
….
“Location: 40 Mi N Alamogordo, NM – USA
….
“Departure airport: Topeka Army Air Base, Kansas
“Destination airport: Alamogordo AAF, New Mexico
….
“Ten crew members were killed:
2nd Lt. Merle C. Brock, O-410901, KS, Pilot
Flt. Off. Thomas N. Padon, T-000121, TX, Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. Reed J. Berrett, O-730065, UT, Pilot-rated passenger
2nd Lt. Walter C. Henning, O-729970, CA, Bombardier
2nd Lt. David R. Fedder, O-730718, NY, Bombardier-rated passenger
Flt. Off. Robert D. Long, T-000109, KS, Pilot-rated passenger
S/Sgt. Guy L. Archambeau, 38001319, AZ, Radio Operator-rated passenger
Sgt. Vernal O. Christensen, 39682310, ID, Flt. Engineer-rated passenger
S/Sgt. Louis C. Fuller, 15114178, OH, Radio Operator
S/Sgt. Harry W. Ostrom, 16053361, IL, Flight Engineer.”
Mireles: “At 2005 MWT, a Consolidated B-24D crashed on the Mescalero Indian Reservation 15 miles south of Ruidoso, New Mexico, killing ten crewmembers. Navigator 2Lt. Richard L. Prather and navigator-rated passenger 2Lt. George W. Hepfner parachuted to safety and were uninjured. The B-24 was part of an eight-ship flight that had taken off from the Army Air Field at Topeka, Kansas, on a navigation flight to the Army Air Field at Alamogordo, New Mexico. Investigators stated,
From the evidence submitted, it is the opinion that the pilot flew from clear weather into clouds in the vicinity of the tips of the Sacramento Mountains at an elevation of approximately 12,500 feet. After flying in the clouds for approximately five minutes, he thought he was over Alamogordo and let down to 9,500 feet. He picked up ice, and undetermined amount, but evidently enough to make the airplane difficult to keep under control. Realizing the airplane was getting out of control, he started to give the signal to abandon ship. He crashed such a short time thereafter that only two occupants had a chance to jump. The airplane crashed out of control, exploded and burned. In the explosion, parts of the airplane were scattered to such all extent that it was impossible to tell the position of any controls.” (Mireles 2006, Vol. 1, p. 249.)
Newspaper
Jan 26: “Topeka, Kans, Jan. 26 – Ten men were killed in the crash of a heavy U.S. Army bomber Sunday night near Ruidoso, N.M. commanding officer of the Topeka Army Air Base announced early today. Two other personnel parachuted to safety. The plane fell on the Mescalero Indian Reservation, a few miles from Ruidoso. It was on a training mission from the Topeka base.”
(Las Cruces Sun News, NM. “10 Men Die in Plane Crash Near Ruidoso.” 1-26-1943, p. 1.)
Sources
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation. ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 100137. Accessed 5-18-2024 at: https://mail.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/100137
Las Cruces Sun News, NM. “10 Men Die in Plane Crash Near Ruidoso.” 1-26-1943, p. 1. Accessed 5-18-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/las-cruces-sun-news-jan-26-1943-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.