1943 — Nov 18, USAAF B-24J Liberator crash 9 miles north of Melrose, NM –all 12
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-21-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–12 AP. “12 Killed in Army Plane Crash in N.M.” El Paso Herald-Post, TX. 11-19-1943, p. 1.
–12 Aviation Safety Network. USAAF B-24J crash 9M N of Melrose NM, 11-18-1943.
–12 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 587.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 1445 MWT, a Consolidated B-24J [42-73356] crashed nine miles north of Melrose, New Mexico, killing 12 fliers. The airplane had taken off from the Army Air Base at Clovis, New Mexico, at 1307 MWT on a routine transition flight. The airplane was seen flying southwest at about 8,000 to 10,000 feet in the vicinity of the Melrose Bombing Range, which is used for bombing from 5,000 feet. Civilians on the ground then observed the airplane in a steep spiral at an altitude of about 500 feet. The plane leveled out momentarily and then suddenly plunged to the ground in a vertical diving spiral. The airplane exploded into flames upon impact, killing the crew instantly. All engines were apparently producing power and no smoke or flames were observed before the airplane smashed into the ground. There was no evidence of structural failure. Investigators could not determine why the airplane entered a spiral toward the ground.” (Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 587.)
Newspaper
Nov 19, AP: “Clovis, Nov. 19. – Twelve men died in the wreckage of a B-24 four-motored bomber yesterday afternoon from the Clovis Army Air Base when it crashed while on a routine training flight 12 miles northwest of the base here, the base public relations office announced this morning. Bodies were recovered from the burning wreckage by civilians. Members of the Melrose Fire Department rushed to the scene.” (AP. “12 Killed in Army Plane Crash in N.M.” El Paso Herald-Post, TX. 11-19-1943, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “12 Killed in Army Plane Crash in N.M.” El Paso Herald-Post, TX. 11-19-1943, p. 1. Accessed 4-21-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/el-paso-herald-post-nov-19-1943-p-1/
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1943. USAAF B-24J crash 9M N of Melrose NM, 11-18-1943. Accessed 4-21-2024 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/101027
Mireles, Anthony J. Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 2: July 1943 – July 1944). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.