1948 — Nov 1, USAF C-47 breaks-up in thunderstorm, crashes near Muldrow, OK — 11
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard Sep 21, 2023 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
Blanchard note on fatalities: Despite sources which state there were 12 or 13 fatalities, most note 11, which also is the number of named fatalities reported by the Associated Press on Nov. 2.
–13 Aviation Safety Network. USAF C-47 break-up in mid-air in thunderstorm, OK, 11-1-1948.
–12 Logansport Pharos-Tribune, IN. “Twelve Die in Crash of Army Plane.” 11-1-1948, p. 2.[1]
–11 Ada Evening News, OK. “Announce Names of 11 Killed in Crash of Plane.” 11-2-1948, p4.
–11 Florence Morning News, SC. “Bad Weather is Blamed for Disaster.” 11-4-1948, p. 10.
–11 Hope Star, AR. “Probers Seek Cause of Plane Wreck.” 11-4-1948, p. 3.
–11 Mansfield News Journal, OH. “17 Dead in Air Crashes.” 11-3-1948, p. 5.
Narrative Information
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1948:
“Date: Monday 1 November 1948
“Type: Douglas TC-47D (DC-3)
“Owner/operator: United States Air Force (USAF)
“Registration: 44-76618
“MSN: 16202/32950
“Fatalities: Fatalities: 13 / Occupants: 13
….
“Location: 25mi N of Muldrow, OK – USA
“Phase: En route
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: Washington, DC
“Destination airport: Wichita Falls, TX
“Narrative: Broke up in mid-air in a thunderstorm.”
Newspapers
Nov 1, United Press: “Muldrow, Okla., Nov. 1 – (UP) – Trooper Harry Davis of the Oklahoma highway patrol reported today that at least 12 persons were killed in the crash of an air force plane near here during a thunderstorm. Davis said four bodies were found one mile from the crash scene and the others were scattered over a wide area. He said the plane was either a transport or a bomber. Its destination and takeoff points were unknown. Witnesses told Davis they heard the plane’s motors cut out, then start again before it crashed. Davis said the plane’s wings and motor were found three-quarters of a mile from the fuselage. The crash occurred in sparsely settled hill country about 15 miles west of Fort Smith, Ark., in Sequoyah county, Oklahoma.” (Logansport Pharos-Tribune, IN. “Twelve Die in Crash of Army Plane.” 11-1-1948, p. 2.)
Nov 2, Associated Press: “Wichita Falls, Tex., Nov. 2. (AP) – Names of 11 men who lost their lives in the crash of an air force C-47 near Muldrow, Okla., yesterday were released this morning by the commanding officer of Sheppard air force base, where the men were stationed
“Among the dead was Lt. Col. Sarkis D. Sarkissian, a flight surgeon, of Chicago…
“The base Jewish chaplain, First Lt. Solomon Rosen, Brooklyn, N.Y., was also killed.
“Other dead were:
First Lt. Robert H. Reeves, the pilot, of Sherman, Texas…
Capt. Thomas E. Mostyn, the co-pilot, of Midlothian, Ill.
T/Sgt. Robert L. Orr, a flight engineer, of Charlotte, H.C.
T/Sgt. Leo J. Lamarsh, a flight engineer, Detroit, Mich.
Pfc. Carman Cistola, Old Forge, Pa.
Pfc. Graham K. White, Bronx, N.Y.
Sgt. John R. Armstrong, St. Paul. Minn.
Sgt. Marvin N. Clements, Mineral Springs, Ark.
Pvt. Lamsing P. Shield, Jr., Ridge Wood, N.J.”
(Ada Evening News, OK. “Announce Names of 11 Killed in Crash of Plane.” 11-2-1948, p. 4.)
Nov 2 (AP): “Muldrow, Okla., Nov. 2 – (AP) – Investigators examined wreckage and witnesses today, seeking to learn why an air forces transport plane broke apart plunging 11 men to death. The C-47, on a routine mission from Sheppard Field, Wichita Falls, Tex., broke into three pieces and fell just a few blocks from the business district of this East Oklahoma town yesterday. Wreckage was scattered over a mile and a half area. Witnesses said the ship was flying low in a heavy rain, when it began to disintegrate. Soldiers were sent here from Camp Chaffee at Fort Smith. Ark., 20 miles East. The Camp Chaffee Pro said there were 11 men on the plane and that all 11 bodies were recovered….Investigation of the crash is being conducted by a team sent here from Tinker Field, Oklahoma City. Tom Morgan, one of the crash witnesses, said he was standing in front of a Muldrow store watching the plane, when it suddenly broke into three pieces.” (Hope Star, AR. “Probers Seek Cause of Plane Wreck.” 11-4-1948, p. 3.)
Nov 3, UP: “By United Press. Texas and Oklahoma authorities Tuesday completed the task of recovering the charred and mutilated bodies of 17 persons who lost their lives in three plane crashes. Two of the accidents involved military aircraft and the other was a civilian-operated plane. Officers at Camp Chaffee, Ark., said 11 men were killed in the crash of an Air Force transport near Muldrow, Okla. The plane apparently exploded while flying through a thunderstorm….” (Mansfield News Journal, OH. “17 Dead in Air Crashes.” 11-3-1948, p. 5.)
Nov 3, AP: “Muldrow, Okla., Nov. 3 – (AP) – An air force investigating board today blamed atmospheric conditions and excessive speed for the crash of a C-47 plane which took the lives of 11 men yesterday. The plane, on a routine flight from Sheppard Field, Wichita Falls, Tex., disintegrated into three pieces and fell a few blocks from the Muldrow business district. Wreckage scattered over an area of a mile and a half.” (Florence Morning News, SC. “Bad Weather is Blamed for Disaster.” 11-4-1948, p. 10.)
Sources
Ada Evening News, OK. “Announce Names of 11 Killed in Crash of Plane.” 11-2-1948, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=48953945
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1948. USAF C-47 break-up in mid-air in thunderstorm, OK, 11-1-1948. Accessed 9-21-2023 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/173983
Florence Morning News, SC. “Bad Weather is Blamed for Disaster.” 11-4-1948, p. 10. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=48582355
Logansport Pharos-Tribune, IN. “Twelve Die in Crash of Army Plane.” 11-1-1948, 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=85754075
Hope Star, AR. “Probers Seek Cause of Plane Wreck.” 11-4-1948, p. 3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=123759472
[1] Not counted as high fatality estimate – 1st day newspaper account, not substantiated by later reporting.
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