1944 – Jan 3, USAAF B-24J crash into mountain peak, 25 miles SE of Muroc, CA –all 10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-15-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
— 10 AP. “10 Army Fliers Die in Crash of Bomber.” El Paso Herald-Post, TX. 1-4-1944, p. 2.
— 10 Baugher. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-70686 to 42-91973). 5-18-2011 rev.
— 10 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 635.
Narrative Information
Baugher: “Consolidated B-24J-35-CO Liberator….73358 crashed into mountain peak Jan 3, 1944 25 mi SW of Muroc, CA while circling to land. All 10 aboard killed.” (Baugher. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-70686 to 42-91973). 5-18-2011 revision.)
Mireles: “At 0400, a Consolidated B-24J collided with rising terrain 25 miles southeast of the Army Air Field at Muroc, California, killing the crew of ten.
“The airplane took off from Muroc Army Air Field at 2216 PWT (1-2-44) on a cross-country navigation mission to Barstow, California, to Chloride, California, to Kingman, Arizona, to Goffs, California, to Lancaster, California, and return to Muroc Bombing Range for a bombing mission. The airplane successfully completed the night cross-country and returned to the area of Muroc. AAF controllers advised the pilot that he could bomb only if he could establish two-way radio communications with the bombing range operators. The crew was unable to establish successful radio contact with the bombing range operator and was not cleared to bomb on the range. The subject airplane radioed Muroc and was advised by controllers to fly locally until the end of their flying period. The airplane was cleared to fly on the Muroc Radio Beam at 9,000 feet indicated altitude. The crew acknowledged the new instructions and the airplane flew away from the bombing range. At 0350, the airplane requested landing instructions but was ordered to remain at 9,000 feet and stand by because one B24 was in the pattern and landing and another B-24 with low fuel was cleared to land immediately afterwards. The subject airplane apparently lost altitude while circling and collided with a small mountain at an elevation of approximately 4,500 feet, exploding into flames upon impact and killing the crew instantly.” (Mireles 2006, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 635.)
Newspaper
Jan 4, AP: “By Associated Press. Muroc Army Air Base, Cal., Jan. 4. – Ten enlisted men and officers met death in isolated desert country 25 miles east of here when their heavy bomber from this base crashed into a mountain and burned yesterday, base officials announced.” (Associated Press. “10 Army Fliers Die in Crash of Bomber.” El Paso Herald-Post, TX. 1-4-1944, p. 2.)
Sources
Associated Press. “10 Army Fliers Die in Crash of Bomber.” El Paso Herald-Post, TX. 1-4-1944, p. 2. Accessed 4-15-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/el-paso-herald-post-jan-04-1944-p-3/
Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-70686 to 42-91973). 5-18-2011 revision. Accessed 12-16-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_4.html
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.