1952 — April 15, USAF B-36 takeoff crash and fire, near Fairchild AFB, Spokane, WA– 15

–15 Baugher. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-83886 to 44-92098). 10-15-2011 rev.
–15 GlobalSecurity.org. Military. “Fairchild AFB.”
–15 Goleta Air & Space Museum. Convair B-36 Crash Reports…. “B-36D.” 1952.”
–15 NFPA. “Fires Causing Large Loss of Life.” Handbook of Fire Protection. 1954, p. 36.
–15 NFPA. “Worst Aircraft Fires of ’52—North America.” Quarterly, V46, N3, Jan 1953, p235
–15 Wikipedia. “List of Accidents and Incidents Involving Military Aircraft (1950-1974).

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Consolidated B-36B-10-CF Peacemaker c/n 47/61 92050 crashed on takeoff from Fairchild AFB Apr 15, 1952. The cause has been blamed on an improperly-set trim tab prior to takeoff. 15 killed, 2 survived with major injuries. However, there is uncertainty about the actual cause of the accident. It may have happened that the aircraft was airborne briefly for a quarter mile when one starboard engine began backfiring and caught fire, followed by the shutdown of all six engines. There may have been a nuclear bomb aboard, which may be the reason for the high amount of secrecy surrounding this incident.” (Baugher. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-83886 to 44-92098). 10-15-2011 rev.)

GlobalSecurity.org: “On the early morning of 15 April 1952 a B-36 crashed on takeoff, resulting in a low order high explosive detonation that left 15 dead with 2 survivors. The incident occurred at the West end of the runway.” (GlobalSecurity.org. Military. “Fairchild AFB.”)

Goleta Air Space Museum: “Major Don Hinton provided this summary of the crash of B-36D 44-92050 of the 92d Bomb Wing (H), 326th Bomb Sq at Fairchild AFB on 15 Apr 52…:

During maximum weight, night take off on Runway 23, the crew discovered that the trim was incorrectly set, and the decision was made to compete the take-off, confident the trim could be corrected during the take-off roll. Right seat pilot attempts to re-trim, left seat pilot remains on controls. Left seat pilot anticipates crash, retards recips, instructs engineer to prepare for crash. A decrease in elevator control forces due to change in trim and change in thrust and drag moments (nose-up thrust from the jet engines and windmilling drag of the props) causes the aircraft to become airborne, reaching 30-50 feet altitude. Engineer closes fuel manifold valves, cuts ignition. Right seat pilot diverts attention from trim to flying the A/C, advances throttles, but engines are dead because of no fuel, jet engines continue to run using residual fuel in manifold system, starts gear retraction. Aircraft continued on the ground 520 feet past the end of the runway before becoming airborne. Aircraft impacts ground 3714 feet past the end of the overrun and the debris field extends an additional 1000 feet. Initial impact was 75 feet to the right of the Runway 23 centerline, 3714 feet from the end of the runway (this is on base). The aircraft tore through the airfield perimeter fence, coming to rest 450 feet from the perimeter fence, off base (this is where most all of the wreckage came to rest). Fifteen of the 17 crewmembers died. A/C weight was 357,800 pounds. The aircraft was to conduct seven practice bomb drops and was loaded with bombs (doesn’t state bomb weight/type, practice/inert or live bombs).

(Goleta Air Space Museum. Convair B-36 Crash Reports…. “B-36D 44-92050…15Apr1952”)

National Fire Protection Association: “Apr. 15, Fairchild AFB, Wash., United States Air Force; 15 killed; $3,500,000

“A B-36 with 17 aboard, barely got off the ground following an attempted take-off from Fairchild Air Force Base. A CAA employee at nearby Geiger Field saw the accident and described the ground impact as being accompanied by a series of bright flash fires followed by a major flash and a severe fire which lasted more than two hours. Two occupants miraculously escaped but suffered severe burns and other injuries. The accident occurred on deserted farm land, but rescues could not be attempted due to the tremendous heat generated by the large quantities of gasoline involved in the fire.” (NFPA. “Worst Aircraft Fires of ’52—North America.” Quarterly of the NFPA, Vol. 46, No. 3, January 1953, p. 235.)

Wikipedia: “15 April [1952] – While making a maximum gross weight takeoff at ~ 0345 hrs., a B-36D Peacemaker failed to become safely airborne and crashed off the end of a runway at Fairchild AFB. The aircraft was airborne briefly for ~ a quarter mile, when one starboard engine began backfiring and caught fire, followed by the shutdown of all six engines. The aircraft then skidded on its nose for another quarter mile, struck a ditch, and exploded. A “large heavy object (of highly classified nature)” tore through the front of the plane on impact, causing severe injuries to many crewmen. Later, amid several smaller explosions, a huge single explosion shook the ground. Seventeen men were aboard the plane; 15 were killed and two survived with major injuries.” (Wikipedia. “List of Accidents and Incidents Involving Military Aircraft (1950-1974).)

Sources

Baugher, Joseph F. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-83886 to 44-92098). Oct 15, 2011 revision. Accessed 12-31-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_6.html

GlobalSecurity.org. Military. “Fairchild AFB.” Jan 21, 2006 update. Accessed 10-16-2009 at: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/fairchild.htm

Goleta Air & Space Museum. Convair B-36 Crash Reports and Wreck Sites. “Synopsis Air Force Accident Report.” 10-16-2009 at: http://www.air-and-space.com/b-36%20wrecks.htm#44-92079

National Fire Protection Association. Fire Loss in the United States 2007. Quincy, MA: NFPA, August 2008, 41 pages. Accessed at: http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/OS.fireloss.pdf

National Fire Protection Association. “Worst Aircraft Fires of ’52—North America.” Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association, Vol. 46, No. 3, January 1953, pp. 231-241.

Wikipedia. “Lists of accidents and incidents involving military aircraft (1950-1959).” Accessed 11-13-2011 at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_accidents_and_incidents_involving_military_aircraft_(1950%E2%80%931959)