1951 — May 6, USAF B-36 landing crash, high wind, Kirtland AFB ~Albuquerque, NM–23

— 23 Baugher. 1949 USAF Serial Numbers. 8-17-2011 rev.
— 23 Gero. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, pp. 50-51.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Convair B-36D-25-CF Peacemaker….2660 w/o 5/6/51 at Kirtland AFB in landing during high winds. 23 killed, 2 survivors.” (Baugher. 1949 USAF Serial Numbers. 8-17-2011 rev.)

Gero:
“Date: 6 May 1951 (c.12:30)
“Location: Near Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
“Operator: US Air Force
“Aircraft type: Convair B-36D (49-2660)

“The 10-engine strategic bomber [49-2660] crashed at Kirtland Air Force Base, killing 23 of its 25 crewmen. Both survivors, who had been seated in the rear part of its fuselage, were injured. A lack of lateral control was an apparent factor in the accident, which occurred as the aircraft attempted to land on Runway 08 during a 30-knot east-south¬easterly wind, with gusts of up to 35 knots, and a visibility of 8 miles (13km) in blowing dust.

“The pilot appeared to have difficulty maintaining the correct flight path, making constant corrections to keep the wings level and remain aligned with the runway centerline. Passing over the threshold with its wings level but to the left of the centerline, the B-36 banked to the right for correction, whereupon its starboard jet pod and No. 6 propeller struck the pavement some 500ft (150m) down the runway. Following the initial impact with the ground, which tore off the propeller blades of the piston power plant, the pilot undoubtedly decided to go around. The aircraft climbed to about 200ft (60 m) above airfield elevation with the No. 6 engine afire, then slammed to earth on a northerly heading and in a right wing-down attitude and burst into flames, its under-carriage extended at the time of the crash. A C-54 four-engine transport, a twin-engine Lockheed Lodestar and a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza that had been parked at the air base were damaged by flying debris and/or fire.” (Gero. Military Aviation Disasters. 1999, p50-51.)

Sources

Baugher, Joseph F. 1949 USAF Serial Numbers. Aug 17 2011 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1949.html

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