1943 – May 7, USAAF B-17F airport approach crash 4M W Army Air Base, Dalhart, TX–11

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-9-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–11  Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V. 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p. 362.

–11  Santa Fe New Mexican.  “11 Die in Crash.” 5-8-1943, p. 1.

—  9  Baugher, Joseph F.  1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). 10-28-2011 rev.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Boeing B-17F-45-BO Fortress….5342 wrecked May 7, 1943 4 mi W of Dalhart, TX.  9 killed.” (Baugher, Joseph F.  1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). 10-28-2011 revision.)

 

Mireles: “At 2208, a Boeing B-17F crashed four miles west of the Army Air Base at Dalhart, Texas, killing eleven crewmembers and se­riously injuring [the] tail gunner…. The airplane was returning to Dalhart Army Air Base after completing a routine training mission. The airplane, with landing gear down and flaps at about one-third, had made a steep turn to the left from the downwind leg to the base leg. The airplane continued to slip to the left until it contacted the ground on the port wing. The airplane cartwheeled into the ground and burst into flames. The tail sec­tion had separated from the main wreckage and did not burn.”  (Mireles 2006. Vol. 1, p. 362.)

 

Newspaper

 

May 8: “Dalhart, Tex., May 8. (AP) – Eleven men were killed and one injured in the crash of a large plane last night near the Dalhart Army Air base, the base public-relations office announced today….”  (Santa Fe New Mexican.  “11 Die in Crash.” 5-8-1943, p. 1.)

 

Sources

 

Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). Oct 28 2011 revision. Accessed 12-9-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_1.html

 

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.

 

Santa Fe New Mexican. “11 Die in Crash.” 5-8-1943, p. 1. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=79063893