1944 – June 22, USAAF B-24J crashes on mt. at night 15M SE Walla Walla AAF, WA–  10

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-2-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–10  Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 834.

–10  UP. “10 Killed in Crash Walla Walla.” Nevada State Journal, Reno. 6-24-1944, p. 1.

Narrative Information

Mireles: “At 2320, a Consolidated B-24J collided with rising terrain 15 miles southeast of the Army Air Field at Walla Walla, Washington, killing the crew of ten. The airplane had taken off from Walla Walla Army Air Field at 1645 on a high-altitude bombing and gunnery mission. At 2310, the pilot called in to Walla Walla Army Air Field, stat­ing that he was above the field at 7,000 feet and was requesting landing instructions. At 2315, the pilot ra­dioed that he was leaving the ‘net’ to come in and land. When the airplane failed to land the control tower attempted to contact the airplane but was unsuccess­ful. A transient pilot landed a short time later and re­ported that at about 2320 he had observed an explo­sion on the ground approximately 15 miles southeast of the field. Rescue personnel arrived at the scene of the explosion and fire and confirmed that it was the wreckage of the missing B-24. Investigation revealed that the bomber had collided with the side of a moun­tain at an elevation of 3,700 feet msl, exploding into flames upon impact and killing the crew instantly. In­vestigators noted that all pilots on station at Walla Walla Army Air Field had been briefed that a minimum al­titude of 7,500 feet should be maintained while flying over the area at night. Weather was not considered a factor in the accident.” (Mireles 2006, 834.)

 

Newspaper

 

June 23, UP: “Walla Walla, Wash., June 23, (U.P.) – The Walla Walla army air base announced tonight that a Liberator bomber crashed 10 miles southeast of the base last night, killing all 10 onboard.” (United Press. “10 Killed in Crash Walla Walla.” Nevada State Journal, Reno. 6-24-1944, p. 1.)

Sources

 

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.

 

United Press. “10 Killed in Crash Walla Walla.” Nevada State Journal, Reno. 6-24-1944, p. 1. Accessed 4-2-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/nevada-state-journal-jun-24-1944-p-1/