1944 — Nov 30, USAAF B-24 bombers collide 8M E of Davis-Monthan AAF, Tucson AZ–18
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-11-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–18 Aviation Safety Network. USAAF B-24’s collide, Pantano Wash, AZ, 11-30-1944.
–18 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V3, Aug 1944-Dec 1945, p. 982.
–18 Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ. “Kin of Double Crash Victims Being Advised.” 12-1-1944, p. 1.
Narrative Information
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1944:
“Date: Thursday 30 November 1944
“Time: 07:40
“Type: Consolidated B-24J-35-CO Liberator
“Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
“Registration: 42-73357
“MSN: 2927
“Fatalities: Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 9
“Other fatalities: 9
“Aircraft damage: Destroyed
“Phase: En route
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: Davis Monthan Field, AZ
“Destination airport: [Not noted.]
“Narrative: Mid air collision with another B-24 [42-73344] and crashed.
Mireles: “At 0847 MWT, two Consolidated B-24J airplanes collided in mid-air and crashed eight miles east of Davis-Monthan Army Air Field, Tucson, Arizona, killing 18 fliers…. Investigators stated,
The aircraft involved in this crash were part of a 19-ship formation which started its initial take-off at [0830 MWT] with 30 second intervals… The aircraft involved were members of the second six-ship flight referred to as B-Baker flight. [Aircraft #42-73344, (Field #41) was briefed to fly as Baker-2 and aircraft #42-73357 (Field #29) was briefed to fly as Baker-5.]
The flights were flying separately at the time of the accident. Take-off was as briefed into the sun…. Take-off was normal and a 180- degree turn to the left was made after the ships went out on the take-off heading for four minutes. In this turn all pilots were blinded by the sun, and in most cases were only able to see the aircraft ahead of them if any at all. Baker-3 experienced difficulty in getting his under-carriage up and turned inside of the formation causing some confusion to the pattern of following aircraft, and when the pilots rolled out of their turns to proceed on the downwind leg at approximately 1,500 to 1,700 feet above ground level, confusion existed as to the identity of their element leaders and Baker-2 mistakenly formed on Baker-4’s right wing. Baker-1 at this time was to the left, low and practically abreast of Baker-4 with some distance separating them. Baker-5 was low and behind the formation and as the aircraft proceeded on the downwind leg attempted to climb and proceed to the right to assume his proper position, which at the time was occupied by Baker-2. In so doing, Baker-5 collided with Baker-2. Baker-5 struck Baker-2’s left rudder and vertical stabilizer with his wing in the area between the number-three engine and fuselage. The sections of empennage were seen to leave Baker-5’s tail and fly back through the formation. The two aircraft proceeded in this locked position momentarily and then broke apart. Baker-5 dove straight into the ground and Baker-2 did a maneuver, described as a chandelle to the right, and went into the ground at an angle. The aircraft crashed approximately 200 yards from each other almost simultaneously with an immediate explosion and fire, which destroyed both aircraft entirely and instantly killed all aboard. No parachutes or bodies were seen to leave the aircraft while in flight.” (Mireles 2006, 982.)
Newspaper
Nov 30, UP: “Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 30 (U.P.) – The Pima county sheriff’s office reported that two B-24 army bombers based at Davis-Monthan Army Air Field collided head-on seven miles east of here today. Deputy Sheriff Frank Snodgrass, who was almost directly beneath the planes when they came together, said both craft crashed to the ground, exploded and burst into flame. He said all crew members were killed. Force of the violent explosion scattered plane parts over several acres, Snodgrass said….” (United Press. “Army Bombers Crash Headon Near Tucson; Crews Killed.” Yuma Sun, 11-30-1944, p. 1.)
Sources
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, database, 1944. USAAF B-24’s collide, Pantano Wash, AZ, 11-30-1944. Accessed 3-11-2024 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/273744
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, database, 1944. USAAF B-24’s collide, Pantano Wash, AZ, 11-30-1944. Accessed 3-11-2024 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/273743
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.
Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ. “Kin of Double Crash Victims Being Advised.” 12-1-1944, p. 1. Accessed 3-11-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/tucson-daily-citizen-dec-01-1944-p-1/
United Press. “Army Bombers Crash Headon Near Tucson; Crews Killed.” Yuma Sun, 11-30-1944, p. 1. Accessed 3-11-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/yuma-sun-nov-30-1944-p-1/