1947 — July 29, USAAF B-29 Superfortress takeoff crash, Eglin AAF, Valparaiso, FL– 9

lornajarrettblanchard July 29, 1947

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard 10-17-2023 for upload to: https://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–9 Assoc. Press. “9 Die in Army Bomber Crash.” Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL. 7-29-1947, p.1.

–9 Aviation Safety Network. USAAF B-29 takeoff crash, Eglin AAF, Valparaiso, FL. 7-29-1947.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1947:

“Date and Time: Tuesday 29 July 1947; 08:13 LT [local time]

“Type: Boeing B-29 Superfortress

“Owner/operator: 1^st EGMGp USAAF

“Registration: 44-86307

….

“Fatalities: Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 11

….

“Location: 300 yards North of Eglin Field AAF, Valparaiso, Florida – USA

“Phase: Take off

“Nature: Military

“Departure airport: Eglin AAF, Valparaiso, Florida

….

“Narrative:

“On July 29, 1947, nine crew were killed and two injured in a failed take-off attempt from Eglin Field, Florida at 08:13 hours, the bomber coming down approximately 300 yards North of the main base near Valparaiso, Florida and burning. Killed were:

Instructor pilot Capt. Gordon W. Barrett, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, a West Point

graduate who was awarded the DFC while flying B-29s in World War II
Trainee pilot 1st Lt. Huddie C. Bagley of Braufield, Texas
Co-pilot Capt. Robert M. Seldomridge of Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Navigator 1st Lt. Joseph A. Anderson, Shalimar, Florida
Navigator 1st Lt. Milton Rose, Fort Walton, Florida
Engineer Master Sgt. Michele Aulicino, Mary Esther, Florida
Scanner Staff Sgt. Hugh T. Mulholland of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Scanner Cpl. Ashley W. Odom, McBee, South Carolina
Scanner Pfc. Donald D. Crawford from Fort Worth, Texas.

“….The Superfortress apparently failed to gain much altitude before coming down, said Capt. Robert Gaughan, base public relations officer.” (Aviation Safety Network. USAAF B-29 takeoff crash, Eglin AAF, Valparaiso, FL. 7-29-1947.)

Newspaper

July 29, AP: “Eglin Field, Fla. – (AP) – Nine crew members of a four engine bomber were killed today when their plane crashed near Valpariso [sic], Fla., soon after taking off from Eblin Field, Capt. Robert Gaughan, Eglin Field public relations officer, reported. Another crew member was seriously injured, and another escaped injury, Captain Gaughan said….The plane was on a training flight when it crashed, Captain Gaughan reported, shortly after 8 a.m. (CST).” (Associated Press. “9 Die in Army Bomber Crash.” Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL. 7-29-1947, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “9 Die in Army Bomber Crash.” Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL. 7-29-1947, p. 1. Accessed 10-18-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sarasota-herald-tribune-jul-29-1947-p-1/

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1947. USAAF B-29 takeoff crash, Eglin AAF, Valparaiso, FL. 7-29-1947. Accessed 10-18-2023 at:

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/98581