1943 – Jan 6, USAAF B-24D tail section structural failure crash, 15M SW Madill, OK– 10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-18-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 Mireles 2006, Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents in US 1941-1945, Vol. 1, p. 233.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 2030 CWT, a Consolidated B-24D [41-24202] suffered the catastrophic structural failure of the tail section and crashed 15 miles southwest of Madill, Oklahoma, killing the crew of ten.
“The airplane had taken off from the Army Air Base at Orlando, Florida, on a navigation training flight back to its home station at Salinas, Kansas, via Galveston, Texas. The B-24 was heard to pass over Perrin Field, Sherman, Texas, at high altitude several minutes before the crash. Apparently the airplane was not suffering any difficulty at that time.
“Investigation of the wreckage revealed that the entire tail section (horizontal stabilizers, elevators, vertical fins and rudders) had separated in one piece from the airplane prior to the crash. The severed tail section was found over 400 yards from the spot where the B-24 clove into the ground and exploded into flames. Investigators could not determine the cause of the tail section failure. It was speculated that ‘abnormal vibration’ could be a factor in the accident.
“Killed in the crash were; [We place names into separate lines.]
2Lt Russell G. Bishop, Jr., Washington, D.C., pilot;
2Lt. John F. Howell, Asheville, North Carolina, co-pilot;
2Lt. Robert B. Secord, Cleveland, Ohio, navigator;
2Lt. James H. Dyer, Grand Rapids, Michigan, bombardier;
2Lt. Q. M. Lipsman, passenger;
TSgt. Albert L. Baima, Chicago, Illinois, engineer;
TSgt. Raymond E. Blazer, Greenfield, Ohio, radio operator;
SSgt. Stanley J. Jaros, Chicago, Illinois, assistant radio operator;
SSgt. Kelsey C. Horning, Hoisington, Kansas, gunner;
Pvt. Jack Bagget, Dublin, Georgia, assistant engineer.”
(Mireles 2006, Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents in US 1941-1945, Vol. 1, p. 233.)
Newspaper
Jan 8, AP: “Salina, Kas., Jan. 8 – (AP) – Authorities of the Smoky Hill army air base were not positive today whether nine or ten men were aboard the 4-motor bomber which crashed near Madill, Okla. Wednesday night, killing all occupants. Nine were known to have been killed but Lieutenant W. F. Deloache, public relations officer, said it was possible Second Lieut. Lipsman was aboard although he was not a crew member. His body, however, has not been found. Lipsman’s address was not immediately available.
“The plane crashed on the Truman Cobb farm while on a routine flight. Cobb reported the plane had circled the area, apparently in trouble. He said he ran out onto his porch ‘just then there was an explosion and I saw the plane burst into flames. I saw the tail come up and the plane crash down about 200 yards from the house’.” (Associated Press. “Madill Crash Fatal For Nine or Ten.” The Ada Evening News, OK. 1-8-1943, p. 2.
Sources
Associated Press. “Madill Crash Fatal For Nine or Ten.” The Ada Evening News, OK. 1-8-1943, p. 2. Accessed 5-18-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ada-evening-news-jan-08-1943-p-2/
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.