1944 – Apr 14, USN heavy bomber crash 22M E of Palomas, MX, 1000 feet from TX border–12

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-17-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–12  AP. “Plane Crash in Mexico Kills 12 U.S. Airmen.” Titusville Herald, PA. 4-15-1944, p. 1.

–12  Aviation Safety Network. USN heavy bomber crash 15M E of Columbus NM, 4-14-1944.

–12  INS. “U.S. Plane Down in Mexico; 12 Bodies Found.” Waterloo Sunday Courier, IA. 4-16-1944, 1.

–12  UP. “Twelve Naval Fliers Are Killed in Crash.” Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, TX. 4-16-1944, 1.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1944, p. 59:

“Date:                          Friday 14 April 1944

“Type:                         airplane

“Owner/operator:        United States Navy (USN) [USN Consolidated B-24D?]

….

“Fatalities:                   12 / Occupants: 12

….

“Location:                   Sierra Palomas, CHIH – Mexico

….

“Narrative:       Heavy…bombing plane crashed in border area 15 miles E of Columbus, NM.”     

Newspaper

Apr 14, AP: “Mexico City, April 14. – (AP) – A large U.S. military plane crashed in northern Mexico tonight and the 12 crew members were killed, the Interior Ministry announced. The accident occurred 22 miles from Palomas, Chihuahua state, about 1,000 feet from the Texas border, the ministry said. The victims have not been identified.” (Associated Press. “Plane Crash in Mexico Kills 12 U.S. Airmen.” Titusville Herald, PA. 4-15-1944, p. 1.)

Apr 16, INS: “Mexico City – (INS) – The bodies of 12 airmen were found Saturday [Apr 15] in the wreckage of an American army plane that crashed near Las Palomas in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Mexican soldiers from the Las Palomas garrison set out to reach the wreckage and Interior Minister Miguel Aleman sent orders to guard the shattered plane. The crash was attributed to poor visibility. The United States embassy in Mexico City began an investigation of the tragedy.”

(INS. “U.S. Plane Down in Mexico; 12 Bodies Found.” Waterloo Sunday Courier, IA. 4-16-1944, p1)

Apr 16, UP: “San Diego – (U.P.) – Twelve naval fliers were killed when their heavy bombing plane crashed and exploded 15 miles east of Columbus, N.M., the Eleventh Naval District [San Diego] announced Saturday night. The crew was killed and the bodies burned, the Navy said. The plane was on a routine cross-country flight when the crash occurred one-quarter-mile below the international border. Names of the dead are being withheld pending notification of next of kin, the Navy said.” (United Press. “Twelve Naval Fliers Are Killed in Crash.” Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, TX. 4-16-1944, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Plane Crash in Mexico Kills 12 U.S. Airmen.” Titusville Herald, PA. 4-15-1944, p. 1. Accessed 4-17-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-apr-15-1944-p-1/

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1944, p. 59. USN heavy bomber crash 15M E of Columbus NM, 4-14-1944. Accessed 4-17-2024 at:

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/178485

INS. “U.S. Plane Down in Mexico; 12 Bodies Found.” Waterloo Sunday Courier, IA. 4-16-1944, p. 1. Accessed 4-17-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/waterloo-daily-courier-apr-16-1944-p-1/

United Press. “Twelve Naval Fliers Are Killed in Crash.” Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, TX. 4-16-1944, p. 1. Accessed 4-17-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/valley-morning-star-apr-16-1944-p-1/