1943 — May 13, two USAAF B-24s collide mid-air 4M NE of Biggs Field, El Paso, TX– 15
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-10-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–15 El Paso Herald-Post. “Biggs Field Bombers Collide; 15 Dead.” 5-14-1943, p. 1.
–15 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V. 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p. 369.
Narrative Information
“At 2318 MWT, two Consolidated B-24E airplanes collided in mid-air four miles northeast of Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas, killing fifteen fliers and seriously injuring co-pilot 2nd Lt. Dean E. Woodley, who had miraculously parachuted to safety from B-24E #42-7000…..Investigators stated,
“Lt. Col. Mitchell, flying B-24E #42-6990, had taken off from March Field, [Riverside] California, at 1851 PWT. The flight plan listed a ‘Contact Flight Rules’ flight with an estimated four hours of elapsed flying time direct to Biggs Field. At 2318 MWT this aircraft, while flying in a [climbing] left turn at about 6,000 feet above the level ground four miles north of the El Paso Range Station, collided head on into the left wing and left [fuselage] side of B-24E #42-7000, which was headed south. The statement made by the only survivor, copilot of B-24E #42-7000, 2Lt. Woodley, who was thrown clear during the resulting explosion, established the fact that neither his pilot nor he had seen B-24E #42-6990 in time to avoid the collision. Apparently neither the Colonel nor his co-pilot saw the other aircraft in time to change their course. 1Lt. Huie had taken off at 2240 CWT from Biggs Field in B-24E #42-7000 [on a] scheduled bombing mission. The bombing was not carried out, but the pilot and co-pilot decided to change the mission to navigation because their bombsight was not operating. The pilot then began the navigation mission soon after take-off, which meant flying on the established airway and working the El Paso Range. While flying in a wide left circle toward the south, B-24E #42-6990 collided with [the] left wing [of B-24E #42-7000].” (Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V. 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p. 369.)
Newspaper
May 14, El Paso Herald-Post: “Fifteen Biggs Field fliers, officers and men, were killed in a head-on crash of two heavy bombers last night at 11 o’clock, a few miles east of Biggs Field, officials at the field announced today. Names of the dead will be announced when their next of kin have been notified. An official announcement said:
Fifteen Biggs fliers were killed and one parachuted to safety when two Army bombers collided in mid-air, a few miles east of Biggs Field. Officials were unable to release names until the next of kin have been notified. The crash was visible from the downtown district. There appeared to be a bright explosion, the planes going slowly to earth.
One plane had received clearance from the El Paso air base, and had gained considerable altitude. It collided with another aircraft attempting to land, according to reports. Officers and enlisted men are among the dead. The planes were on routine flights.”
Sources
El Paso Herald-Post. “Biggs Field Bombers Collide; 15 Dead.” 5-14-1943, p. 1. Accessed 5-10-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/el-paso-herald-post-may-14-1943-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.