1949 — Jan 17, USAF B-29 crash into Argyllshire mts. (icing?) ~Lochgoilhead, Scotland–20

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard Sep 14, 2023 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

— 20  Baugher. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-40049 to 44-70254). Oct 28, 2011 revision.

— 20  Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, p. 45

— 20  Huntingdon News, PA. “Bodies of 20 U.S. Servicemen Taken From B-29 Crash.” 1-18-‘49

— 20  Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Penna. Men in B-29 Crash.” 1-19-1949, p. 13.

— 20  Logansport Pharos-Tribune, IN. “Fear 20 Dead in B-29 Bomber Crash.” 1-17-1949, p. 1.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Boeing B-29A-70-BN Superfortress….62276 (301st BG) crashed below Beinn Tharsuinn about 2.5 mi W of Lochgoilhead near Glasgow, Scotland Jan 17, 1949.  20 on board killed.” (Baugher. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-40049 to 44-70254). Oct 28, 2011 revision.)

Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, p. 45: 

“Date:                          17 January 1949 (c.09:50)

“Location:                   Near Lochgoilhead, Argyllshire

“ Operator:                  US Air Force

“Aircraft Type:            Boeing B-29 (44-62276)

“All 20 American servicemen aboard perished in the crash of the four-engine bomber, which occurred 30 miles (50km) north-west of Glasgow. One of two B-29s to have taken off earlier from Scampton, Lincolnshire, England, on a transatlantic flight to the US, 44-62276 had about half-an-hour before the accident requested, and been granted, clearance to ascent from 8,500 to 14,500ft (2,600-4,400m). At the time of the request, the aircraft was believed to have been encountering heavy icing conditions. Subsequently, the heavily-iced bomber slammed into a mountain at an approximate elevation of 700ft (200m), or about a third of the way to its summit, in a steep diving attitude and an air speed indicator reading of nearly 300mph (500kph). The surface weather, which was otherwise not a factor in the crash, consisted of rain, with an overcast of around 1,000ft (300m) and a visibility of about 1½ miles (2.5m). The wind was from a west-south-westerly direction at approximately 35 knots.”

Newspapers

Jan 17, United Press: “Glasgow, Jan 17 – (UP) – A  U.S. Air Force B-29 Super-Fortress reportedly carrying 20 American servicemen bound for home crashed and burned in the Argyllshire Mountains of West Scotland in thick fog today. All aboard were believed killed. Six bodies were found some distance from the scattered and burned wreckage of the plane on a 3,000-foot mountainside at Succoth Glen, near Lochgoilhead. Rescue teams said they could not determine yet whether other bodies still were in the smoking wreckage, but they found no signs of survivors.

“The plane was identified definitely as a U.S. Air Force B-29, and there appeared no doubt that it was one which the U.S. Air Force headquarters in London reported was missing on a flight to the United States by way of Iceland with 20 crewmen aboard. The plane was en route to Iceland on the first leg of a trip to the United States. At least some of the men aboard apparently were en route to furloughs at home.

“Flying with a sister ship, the plane encountered heavy mist and fog over Scotland. A plane was heard circling before the crash, which occurred at about 10 a.m. (5 a. m. EST), some two hours after the Super-Fortress had left Scampton. The sister ship turned back to Scampton and landed safely. The other plane had not been reported since the takeoff from Scampton at 8 a. in. (3 a. m. EST) and there seemed little doubt that if had crashed.

“A B-29 carries a normal crew of 11, but can accommodate as many as 22. Air Force personnel going on home leave to the United States frequently fly aboard such planes….” (Logansport Pharos-Tribune, IN. “Fear 20 Dead in B-29 Bomber Crash.” 1-17-1949, p. 1.)

Jan 18: “Glasgow, Jan. 18. – The bodies of 20 American servicemen killed in the crash of a U. S. superfortress on a barren mountainside in western Scotland were carried to the nearby village of Lochgoilhead today. An Army spokesman in London said the plane carried a “maintenance crew” and a regular crew. Air Force officials said some of the men were en route home for furloughs and that all aboard had been killed.

“The big bomber smashed through a clammy fog into the Argyllshire mountains yesterday. Bodies and flame-scarred wreckage were scattered over a broad section of the crash scene at Succoth Glen, a desolate region between 3,000-foot mountains inhabited only by deer and foxes.

“David McLaughlin, a forestry worker, reported that the plane buried itself 15 feet in the ground before it exploded and burned. It was still smoking when he reached the wreckage, McLaughlin said….” (Huntingdon Daily News, PA. “Bodies of 20 U.S. Servicemen Taken From B-29 Crash.” 1-18-1949, p. 1.)

Jan 19: “Salinas, Kas. Jan. 19 – (AP) — The Smoky Hill Air Force Base today announced the names of 20 men aboard an American B-29 Superfortress which crashed in Scotland, two of whom are Pennsylvanians. The plane crashed yesterday near Lochgoilhead, Scotland….

“The bomber, which was attached to the 301st Bomb Group stationed at Scampton Field, Lincolnshire, was on the way home to Salina after three months temporary duty in England. Col. Joe Kelly, 301st wing commander at Smoky Hill, said he had no definite word on the number of

fatalities. Colonel Kelly listed among those aboard the plane when it took off at Scampton as:

Master Sgt. Wayne W. Baker, whose parents live at (313 Liberty St.) Franklin, Pa.

Master Sgt. Henry P. Prestosh, whose parents live in Gouldsboro, Pa.” 

(Indiana Evening Gazette, PA.  “Penna. Men in B-29 Crash.” 1-19-1949, p. 13.)

Sources

Baugher, Joseph F. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-40049 to 44-70254). Oct 28, 2011 revision. Accessed 12-25-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_4.html

Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. UK and Newbury Park, CA: Patrick Stephens Limited, an imprint of Hayes Publishing, 1999. 

Huntingdon Daily News, PA. “Bodies of 20 U.S. Servicemen Taken From B-29 Crash.” 1-18-1949, p. 1. At:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=102304265

Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Penna. Men in B-29 Crash [Scotland].” 1-19-1949, p. 13. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=114089881

Logansport Pharos-Tribune, IN. “Fear 20 Dead in B-29 Bomber Crash.” 1-17-1949, p. 1. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=85755269

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