Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-10-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–11 Midland Reporter-Telegram, TX. “Eleven Pyote Airman Killed.” 6-1-1943, p. 1.

–11 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V. 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p. 389.

Narrative Information

Mireles: “5-30-43. Salt Flat, Texas. At 0330 CWT, a Boeing B-17F collided with rising terrain 32 miles southeast of Salt Flat, Texas, killing 11 fliers. Investigators stated,

Aircraft took off from Army Air Base, Pyote, Texas, 2100, May 29, 1943, for a six-hour local bombing and night flying mission. Aircraft last reported in to Group Ground Radio Station at 0220 May 30, 1943, giving position over Odessa, Texas. Nothing more was heard from the aircraft. The aircraft was sighted from the air at 1600 Nay 30, 1943 on mountain 32 miles southeast of Salt Flat, Texas. The elevation of the mountain is approximately 4,990 feet. The aircraft was flying eastward, hit the west side of the mountain approximately 175 feet from the top and bounced over the top of the mountain, coming down on the other side. The tail section broke off aft of the side entrance and fell to the ground at the summit of the mountain. The rest of the aircraft, excluding the engines, was approximately 200 feet down the slope. The engines rolled about 600 feet down the slope. The airplane burned destroying all evidence. Engines and accessories were battered to such an extent that no evidence or indication of engine failure could be determined.

“Weather was reported as ceiling and visibility unlimited with high, thin scattered cirrus with a little lower altocumulus east of Salt Flat and scattered light thunderstorms west of Salt Flat. Weather was not considered a factor in the accident. Killed in the crash were: [We put names into single lines.]

2Lt. William J. Sauer, pilot;

2Lt. Charles G. Ryan, co-pilot;

2Lt. Joe A. Chamberlain, navigator;

2Lt. Frank M. Jones, bombardier;

Cpl. Julian B. Wilkerson, engineer;

SSgt. Martin J. Patten, engineer;

Sgt. George W. Byrnes, radio operator;

Sgt. Edward J. O’Hearn, assistant radio operator;

Sgt. John J. Hefferan, gunner;

Sgt. Edward D. Reed, gunner;

TSgt. William B. Clark, radio operator instructor.”

(Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V. 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p. 389.)

Newspaper

June 1: “Pyote – The bodies of eleven men were found in the wreckage of their Flying Fortress on the side of an isolated mountain 50 miles north of Van Horn, Texas, Monday by a searching party from the Rattlesnake Bomber Base at Pyote, Lt. Col. Clarence L. Hewitt Jr., base commanding officer, announced Tuesday noon. The ten crew members and a radio instructor died in the crash of the plane before daylight Sunday morning. The plane had been the object of a widespread search by Army and civilian aircraft in West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico. It was the first fatal crash for airmen of the field in more than five months of operation. Colonel Hewitt said a board on inquiry had been appointed to investigate the crash….” [Names of the victims and home towns noted.] (Midland Reporter-Telegram, TX. “Eleven Pyote Airman Killed. Plane Crashes on Isolated Mountain.” 6-1-1943, p. 1.)

Sources

Midland Reporter-Telegram, TX. “Eleven Pyote Airman Killed.” 6-1-1943, p. 1. Accessed 5-10-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/midland-reporter-telegram-jun-01-1943-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.

1943 — May 30, USAAF B-17F crash into 4,990 ft. mountain 32M SE of Salt Flat, TX–all 11