1944 – Dec 22, USAAF B-24 breaks-up in flight/crashes, Mt. Gleason, La Crescenta, CA–10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 2-4-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 Aviation Safety Network. USAAF B-24 crash, 8M NE La Crescenta, CA, 12-22-1944.
–10 INS. “10 Airmen Killed in Mountain Crash.” Long Beach Independent, CA. 12-24-1944, 5.
–10 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V3, Aug 1944-Dec 1945, 1004.
Narrative Information
Aviation Safety Network. USAAF B-24 crash, 8M NE La Crescenta, CA, 12-22-1944:
“Date: Friday 22 December 1944
“Time: 16:15
“TypeL Consolidated B-24J Liberator
“Owner/operator: United States Army Air Forces (USAAF)
“Registration: 44-40523
“Fatalities: Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 10
…
“Location: La Crescenta, CA, 8 mi NE – USA
“Phase: En route
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: Muroc Army Airfield, California
“Destination airport: Muroc Army Airfield, California
“Narrative: Crashed onto a mountainside during a snowstorm, eight miles northeast of
La Crescenta, in Los Angeles County, California.
The aircrew were returning to Muroc airfield (modern-day Edwards Air
Force Base) from a high altitude navigational training flight over the
Pacific Ocean that had taken them to Rocas Alijos off Baja California. They were assigned to fly at 15,000 feet elevation when their airplane disintegrated in poor weather and crashed onto the side of Mt. Gleason.”
“The airmen killed were:
2nd Lt. Barrett D. Corneille, O-718560, IL, Pilot
2nd Lt. Robert H. Asplund, O-778692, CA Co-Pilot
Flt. Off. Alan P. Dondero, T-005523, MA, Bombardier
Flt. Off. Donald M. Pipkin, T-129734, CA, Navigator
Cpl. Peter P. Bobovich, 35742718, WV, Asst. Engineer
Cpl. Eugene L. Ferrin, 35223921, OH, Flight Engineer
Cpl. Elliot R. French, 39860766, AZ, Radio Operator
Cpl. Robert E. Jacoby, 35295149, OH, Gunner
Cpl. Jerry K. Stillinger, 17148827, NE, Gunner
Cpl. Reuben F. Welk, 37578871, ND, Gunner”
[For the names of the crew, cited is http://usaafdata.com/?q=search&page=1606&order=field.]
Mireles: “At an unknown time between 1611 and 1617, a Consolidated B-24J broke up in mid-air and crashed onto Mt. Gleason eight and one-half miles NNE of La Crescenta, California, killing the crew of ten. The airplane took off at 0802 PWT from Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, on an over-water instrument flight to Alijos Rocks and return. The B-24 was assigned to fly at 12,000 feet indicated altitude, The airplane made eight position reports during the flight. At 1603 PWT, the airplane radioed Muroc ground station and reported that it was experiencing atmospheric interference; at 1611, the crew radioed Muroc ground station and reported that they were lost and were requesting a vector. Muroc ground station told the crew to stand by; at 1618 PWT Muroc ground station radioed the subject airplane but received no reply. The airplane did not answer repeated radio calls and failed to return to Muroc Army Air Field. The airplane was found the next day. Investigators stated,
An examination of the wreckage at the scene of the crash indicated that the aircraft had disintegrated in the air. The wreckage was strewn over an area of 3,000 feet by 2,500 feet on both sides of a ridge. The ridge on which the wreckage was distributed was lower that the surrounding mountains, but the wreckage showed no indication of contact with the ground before disintegration.” (Mireles 2006, 1004.)
Newspapers
Dec 23, UP: “Los Angeles, Dec. 23. – (UP) – Searching parties today sighted on the south slope of Mt. Gleason near Eagle Rock the wreckage of a B-24 bomber which crashed and burned last night. The wreckage was in the treacherous terrain, about 4500 feet up the slope of Mr. Gleason, and searchers were expected to have difficulty in reaching the burned-out carcass. No signals have been observed from the wreckage site, causing belief there are no survivors. No positive identification of the plane has been made, but a B-24 Liberator, with a dozen army personnel aboard, flying from Livermore to Burbank, was long overdue. Lt. Sewell F. Griggers, of the sheriff’s aero detail, is in charge of searchers from the sheriff’s office and the army. Hunting parties, equipped with walkie-talkies, started out at dawn to search for the plane.” (United Press. “Wreckage of Bomber Sighted.” San Mateo Times, CA. 12-23-1944, p. 7.)
Dec 23, INS: “Los Angeles, Dec. 23. – (INS) – Ten bodies were found late today in the wreckage of a bomber on Mount Gleason, 18 miles northeast of La Canada. The plane had been en route from Livermore to Burbank.” (INS (International News Service). “10 Airmen Killed in Mountain Crash.” Long Beach Independent, CA. 12-24-1944, p. 5.)
Sources
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1944. USAAF Consolidated B-24J Liberator crash, 8M NE La Crescenta, CA, 12-22-1944. Accessed 2-4-2024 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/281660
INS (International News Service). “10 Airmen Killed in Mountain Crash.” Long Beach Independent, CA. 12-24-1944, p. 5. Accessed 2-4-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/long-beach-independent-dec-24-1944-p-10/
Mireles, Anthony J. Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 3: August 1944 – December 1945). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.
United Press. “Wreckage of Bomber Sighted.” San Mateo Times, CA. 12-23-1944, p. 7. Accessed 2-4-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-mateo-times-dec-23-1944-p-7/