1944 – May 29, USAAF B-17G stall during banking, crash, 5M south of Ridgely, TN –all 10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-3-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 Aviation Safety Network. USAAF B-17G crash 5.5mi S Ridgely, TN, 5-29-1944.
–10 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 807.
–10 UP. “10 Die as Bomber Crashes and Burns.” Oakland Tribune, CA. 5-31-1944, p. 5.
–10 United Press. “Late Bulletins.” Blytheville Courier News, AR. 5-30-1944, p. 1.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 1205 CWT, a Boeing B-17G crashed near Ridgely, Tennessee, killing the crew of ten. Investigators stated,
[The pilot] took off from [Dyersburg Army Air Field, Dyersburg, Tennessee] for the purpose of a bombing mission at 10,000 feet and an instrument calibration mission. After completing the bombing mission, they returned to the field, whereupon the co-pilot made a practice landing. At this time the instructor bombardier and instructor engineer were [deplaned] and the crew took off for the purpose of completing the mission. At approximately 1150 CWT this airplane was seen flying in level flight at approximately 8,000 feet by an instructor bombardier accompanied by an instructor pilot who were driving along Highway 78, eight miles south of Ridgely. The instructor bombardier saw the airplane go into a bank which [increased] gradually until [the airplane stalled and] a spin resulted, the spin remaining unchanged until the airplane crashed at approximately five and one-half miles south of Ridgely.” (Mireles 2006, Vol. 2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 807.)
Newspaper
May 30, UP: “Dyersburg, Tenn., May 30 (UP) – Ten men were killed yesterday when a four-motored bomber plane crashed and burned near Ridgely, Tenn.” (United Press. “Late Bulletins.” Blytheville Courier News, AR. 5-30-1944, p. 1.)
May 31, UP: “Dyersburg, Tenn., May 31. – (UP) – Col. M. J. Carter, commanding officer at the Army Air Field here said today that 10 men were killed yesterday [was 29th] when a four-motored bomber plane crashed and burned near Ridgely, Tenn. The dead, all stationed here, included Lieut. John Wilbur Book, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Book of Monrovia, Calif.” (UP. “10 Die as Bomber Crashes and Burns.” Oakland Tribune, CA. 5-31-1944, p. 5.)
Fatalities
2nd Lt. Joseph J. Zagorski, O-760955, PA, Pilot
2nd Lt. John W. Book, O-710550, CA, Co-Pilot
Flt. Off. Milton S. Lewis, T-125835, IL, Navigator
2nd Lt. Robert J. Sargis, O-772743, IL, Bombardier
Sgt. Carl E. Bass, 14136567, AR, Flight Engineer
Sgt. Marion A. Cuppernell, 36449755, IL, Gunner
Cpl. Morris Kenefsky, 33598980, PA, Radio Operator
Cpl. Robert F. Drake, 35765494, OH, Gunner
PFC Jerome J. Gagala, 36878261, MI, Gunner
Pvt. John D. Parker, 14123737, NC, Asst. Engineer
(Aviation Safety Network. USAAF B-17G crash 5.5mi S Ridgely, TN, 5-29-1944.)
Sources
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1944. USAAF B-17G crash 5.5mi S Ridgely, TN, 5-29-1944. Accessed 4-3-2024 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/97965
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.
UP (United Press) “10 Die as Bomber Crashes and Burns.” Oakland Tribune, CA. 5-31-1944, p. 5. Accessed 4-3-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oakland-tribune-may-31-1944-p-5/
United Press. “Late Bulletins.” Blytheville Courier News, AR. 5-30-1944, p. 1. Accessed 4-3-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/blytheville-courier-news-may-30-1944-p-1/