1943 – Oct 29, USAAF B-24E crash, Cucamonga Peak at night, 10M NW Fontana, CA–10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-24-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 INS. “Bodies of 10 Flyers Recovered at Wreck.” The Independent, Long Beach, CA. 11-4-1943, p4.
–10 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 566.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At a time after 1001, a Consolidated B-24E collided with 8,859-foot Cucamonga Peak at an elevation of 5,000 feet, about ten miles northwest of Fontana, California, killing the crew of ten. Investigators stated,
“B-24 serial number 42-7092 took off from March Field [Riverside, California] on a celestial navigation flight at 0332 [PWT]. At approximately 0925, the aircraft landed at Palmdale [California], which is used as an auxiliary or alternate for March Field. The pilot was then informed by an operations clerk that he was to continue on to March Field and without stopping his motors he resumed his flight. At approximately 1000, an aircraft was faintly observed in the clouds flying north of about two miles north of Etiwanda, California (Etiwanda is located at the base of the southern slope of the Sierra Madre Mountains). [On 11-3-43] this B-24 was found at approximately four miles north of Etiwanda at 5,000 feet on the mountain completely wrecked and burned, as well as the bodies of all the occupants who had been killed instantly”.” (Mireles 2006, Vol. 2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 566.)
Newspaper
Nov 3, INS: “March Field, Calif., Nov. 3. – (INS) – The bodies of 10 army flyers, killed in the crash of a B-24 bomber last Friday night, were removed today from the scene of the wreck in the rugged Sierra Madre mountains, nine miles east of Ontario, Calif. March Field authorities, temporarily withholding names of victims, said the heavy bomber crashed against the sheer face of a cliff near the summit of 8900-foot Cucamonga peak. All bodies were burned beyond recognition, the army said. Wreckage was scattered over a wide area. Radio-equipped ground parties reached the scene late yesterday after searching planes had located the wreckage.” (INS. “Bodies of 10 Flyers Recovered at Wreck.” The Independent, Long Beach, CA. 11-4-1943, p. 4.)
Sources
INS [Independent News Service]. “Bodies of 10 Flyers Recovered at Wreck.” The Independent, Long Beach, CA. 11-4-1943, p. 4. Accessed 4-24-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/long-beach-independent-nov-04-1943-p-4/
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.