1945 – June 30, USAAF TB-24J emer. landing crash, Las Vegas Field, Las Vegas, NV– 11
Last edit Dec 3, 2023 by Wayne Blanchard for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–11 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V3, Aug 1944-Dec 1945, 1122.
–11 Vegashikers.com. “TB-24J Liberator Crash Site.” 1-29-2020.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 1149 PWT, a Consolidated TB-24J crashed while attempting a landing at Las Vegas Army Air Field, Las Vegas, Nevada, killing 11 fliers and seriously injuring two others. The airplane had returned to the field and requested an emergency landing. The field was cleared and the crash crews were standing by. The airplane flew a normal pattern for Runway 2, but on the final approach the pilot aborted the landing because he had failed to extend the landing gear. The airplane re-entered the traffic pattern and the pilot reported that he was losing oil pressure in the number-one engine. Moments later white smoke was seen trailing the number-one engine. The pilot feathered the number-one propeller and continued to fly on the base leg for Runway 2. The pilot overshot the turn from base to final and was more in line with Runway 34. The pilot attempted to correct but he was approaching the intended runway at a 45-degree angle at about 75 feet agl. The pilot was unable to straighten the airplane out and was skidding toward airplanes parked on the flight line, which was in an area to the left of Runway 2. The airplane, flying at about 25 feet agl, turned to the left in a nose-high attitude as it approached the control tower. The airplane barely missed colliding with the control tower and parked airplanes as it passed over the ramp. The airplane entered a nose-high turn to the left, climbing to about 50 feet before it began sliding off to the left. The airplane fell off to the left and the port wing struck the ground. The airplane cartwheeled into the ground and burst into flames. Four airmen were found alive, but two of them died a short time later.” (Mireles 2006, 1122.)
Vegashikers.com: “The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. TB-24J was a training conversion model of B-24J. This TB-24J (#42-50983) was belonged to 3021st Army Air Force Base Unit Flexible Gunnery School at Las Vegas Army Air field, Nevada.
“On June 30, 1945, TB-24J (#42-50983) took off the Las Vegas Army Air field around noon.
Shortly after, it lost the engine power, so the pilot tried to land back to the base.
While landing, it was not lined up with the runway correctly and nearly crashed into a line of other aircraft on the ramp. Then, it recovered and missed the control tower by 9 feet.
But, it lost the control and crashed right across from the base. 11 crews died in the accident and only one survived. This is the second deadliest incident in Nellis history.”
Newspaper
July 2, AP: “Omaha, (AP). Mr. and Mrs. Joe C. Huntoon of Omaha said they were informed Saturday of the death of their son, 2nd Lt. George W. Huntoon, 24, in a plane crash near the Las Vegas, Nev., Army Air Field. Mr. Huntoon said he was informed that nine or ten others aboard the plane also were killed….” (Associated Press. “Plane crash kills Lt. G. W. Huntoon.” Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln. 7-2-1945, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Plane crash kills Lt. G. W. Huntoon.” Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln. 7-2-1945, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-nebraska-state-journal-jul-02-1945-p-1/
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.
Vegashikers.com. “TB-24J Liberator Crash Site.” 1-29-2020. Accessed 12-3-2023 at: http://www.vegashikers.com/pic/20200129B/