1952 — Mar 26, USAF planes crash, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ (8); Albuquerque, NM (4)– 12

— 12 Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “12…Die in Plane Crashes in Southwest.” 3-27-1952, 1
— 8 Baugher. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-83886 to 44-92098). 10-15-2011 revision.
— 4 Baugher. 1950 USAF Serial Numbers. 9-21-2011 revision.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Boeing B-29-90-BW Superfortress….87782 converted to KB-29M. Crashed Mar 26, 1952 (43rd ARS, 43rd BG(M)), Davis Monthan AFB, AZ. Cause of crash was failure of engines #3 and #4. All 8 crew killed.” (Baugher. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-83886 to 44-92098). 10-15-2011 revision.)

Baugher: “Boeing B-47B-15-BW Stratojet c/n 450041…026 (4925th Test Group) crashed on takeoff Mar 26, 1952. 4 crew killed.” (Baugher. 1950 USAF Serial Numbers. 9-21-2011 revision.)

Newspaper

March 27: “(From United Press, Associated Press) Eleven crew members were killed and a 12th fatally injured Wednesday afternoon when two Air Force planes crashed in the Southwest.

“Eight airmen were killed when their crippled B-29 bomber crashed and burned on the desert near Davis-Monthan Air Force base, Tucson, Ariz., shortly after it had taken off on a routine training mission….

“Three men died and another was fatally injured when a B-47 Stratojet bomber assigned to an atomic test group crashed and burned on takeoff at Kirtland Air Force Base at Albuquerque, N.M….

“The B-29 went down shortly after its pilot radioed to Davis-Monthan field that one of its engines was dead and that it was returning to the base to land. Maj. Maston Jacks, base information officer, said no information was available as to the cause of the crash. He said only a tail section and blackened rubble was left of the huge bomber, assigned to the 43rd bomb wing. The scene of the crash was about 5 miles southeast of the base.

“The B-47, powered by six turbo jet engines, faltered just after taking off and piled into a runway at Kirtland. Investigating officers said that had been unable to determine the cause of the crash, but witnesses said a ‘flame-out’ – failure of one of the jet engines – apparently was responsible. The plane was assigned to the 4935th atomic test group of the special weapons command based at Kirtland.” (Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “12…Die in Plane Crashes in Southwest.” 3-27-1952, p. 1.)

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

Baugher, Joseph F. 1950 USAF Serial Numbers. Sep 21, 2011 revision. Accessed 1-5-2012 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1950.html

Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “12 Airmen Die in Plane Crashes in Southwest.” 3-27-1952, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=100017607