1945 – Aug 27, USAAF B-29, 2nd landing approach crash, Mt. Tapochau, Saipan    –all 10

Compiled 12-26-2023 by Wayne Blanchard for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–10  Aviation Safety Network. USAAF B-29 landing approach crash, Mt. Tapochau, Saipan.

–10  Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. “Crash of A Boeing B-29V-45-BA Superfortress…”

–10  Cruising In SY Sooke. “B-29 Crash Site on Mount Tapochao [Tapochau], Saipan.” 12-30-2008/

 Narrative Information

 

315th Bomb Wing, “The War Is Over.”:

 

“….Unfortunately, the 502nd Bomb Group had two fatal aircraft accidents during the 315th’s support missions. On the night of 27 August, Captain Claude W. Lawson’s aircraft crashed into Mt. Tapotchau, near Isley Field, Saipan. The crash occurred when Capt. Lawson attempted a second approach following a missed landing attempt in low visibility. There were no survivors.

 

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 116:

“Date:                          Monday 27 August 1945

“Time:                         00:37 LT [Local Time]

“Type:                         Boeing B-29B Superfortress

“Owner/operator:        402nd BSqn / 502nd BGp USAAF

“Registration:              44-83899

“MSN:

“Fatalities:                   Fatalities 10 / Occupants: 10

….

“Location:                   Mount Tapochau, Saipan Island – Northern Mariana Islands

“Phase:                        Landing

“Departure airport:      Florida Blanca Air Field, Philippines

“Destination airport:   Isley Field, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

“Narrative:

 

“….Written off (destroyed) 27 August 1945 when crashed onto the west side of the 1,555 feet (474 metre) Mount Tapochau, 5 miles North North East of Isley Field, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (at approximate Coordinates 15°11′20″N 145°44′35″E). (MACR #14999)

 

“Aircraft was engaged in a “POW Supply Support Mission”, after picking up cargo parachutes at Florida Blanca Air Field in the Philippines. The parachutes were to be used to drop supplies of Allied POWs, still in Japanese POW Camps awaiting liberation, following the cessation of hostilities on August 15. The crash occurred during a second approach to Isley Field on Saipan. The first landing attempt was aborted due to night instrument problems, bad visibility, and stormy conditions.

 

“All 10 crew members died in the crash: [Names can also be found at: In Memoriam, 315th Bomb Wing.]

 

1st Lt Bernard P. Beine,
Sgt Ray M. C. Card,
2nd Lt Hartphey Haller,
1st Lt Lawrence C. Honeycutt Jr.,
1st Lt Robert R. Kindig,
Captain Claude S. Lawson Jr.,
T/Sgt Orval Newton Myrick,
Sgt Howard Robinson,
Sgt Matthew M. Schemer,
S/Sgt Chester Skorupa.”

 

Baugher: “….Bell-Atlanta B-29B-45-BA Superfortress….83899….Crashed 26Aug45 five miles NNE from Isely Field, Saipan on a POW support mission.” (Baugher, Joseph F. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-83886 to 44-92098). June 4, 2023 revision.)

 

Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives: “Crash of A Boeing B-29V-45-BA Superfortress…”

 

“Date & Time:                         Aug 27, 1945

“Type of aircraft:        Boeing B-29 Superfortress

“Operator:                   USAAF

“Registration:              44-83899

“Flight Phase:              Landing (Descent or approach)

….

“Site:                           Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

“Schedule:                   Floridablanca- Isley Field

“Location:                   Isley Field (Saipan Island), Northern Marianna Islands

“Country:                    Northern Mariana Islands

….

“Crew of board:          10

“Crew fatalities:          10

….

“Circumstances:          Crashed on approach to Isley Field, Saipan, the aircraft crashed in unknown

circumstances. All ten crew members were killed.

“Crew:                         [Lists same ten crew members, in same order, as in ASN page.

 

Cruising In SY Sooke. “B-29 Crash Site on Mount Tapochao [Tapochau], Saipan.” 12-30-2008:

 

“The B-29 crashed on the west side of Mount Tapochao during the night of August 27, 1945, just 12 days after hostilities ceased in the Pacific. The B-29 was returning from a POW supply support mission after picking up cargo parachutes at Florida Blanca Air Field in the Phillipines. The crash occurred during a second approach to Isley Field on Saipan. The first landing attempt was aborted due to night instrument problems, bad visibility, and stormy conditions. Sadly, there were no survivors among the 10 crew members.”

 

 

Sources

 

315th Bomb Wing, “The War Is Over.” [From Swann, Major Ralph. 315th Bomb Wing (VH). US Air Force Command and Staff College. Accessed 12-26-2023 at: http://www.315bw.org/wing6.html

 

315bw.org: “In Memoriam, 315th Bomb Wing.” Accessed 12-26-2023 at: http://www.315bw.org/memoriam.htm

 

Aviation Safety Network (ASN), Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 116. USAAF B-29 landing approach crash, Mt. Tapochau, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, 27 August 1945. Accessed 12-25-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/98552

 

Baugher, Joseph F. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-83886 to 44-92098). June 4, 2023 revision. Accessed 12-26-2023 at: https://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_6.html

 

Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. “Crash of A Boeing B-29V-45-BA Superfortress in Saipan: 10 Killed.” Accessed 12-26-2023 at:

https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-boeing-b-29b-45-ba-superfortress-saipan-10-killed

 

Cruising In SY Sooke. “B-29 Crash Site on Mount Tapochao [Tapochau], Saipan.” 12-30-2008. Accessed 12-26-2023 at:

http://waterworks-sysooke.blogspot.com/2008/12/b-29-crash-site-on-mount-tapochao.html