1958 — July 29, USAF B-52 goes out of control on AP approach, crashes 3M from Loring AFB, ~Limestone, ME–8

lornajarrettblanchard July 29, 1958

–8 AP. “Eight Men Killed in Bomber Crash near Limestone.” Biddeford Daily Journal, ME. 7-29-1958, 1.
–8 AP. “Resume Questioning of Jet Crash Survivor Today.” The Lowell Sun, MA, 7-30-1958, 20.
–8 AP. “Services held for 8 crewmen in jet accident.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 8-31-1958, 6.
–8 Aviation Safety Network. USAF B-52D Stratofortress crash near Loring AFB, ME, 7-29-1958
–8 UP. B52 Crash in Maine Kills 8.” The Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. 7-29-1958, p. 1.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database:
“Date: 29-Jul-1958….
“Type: Boeing-B-52D-60-BO Stratofortress
“Owner/operator: United States Air Force (USAF)
“Registration: 55-0093 [Baugher has listed as 55-093.]
“MSN: 17209
“Fatalities: Fatalities: 8 / Occupants: 9
“Other fatalities: 0
….
“Location: 3 mi S of Loring FB, Aroostook County, ME – USA
“Phase: Unknown [Blanchard: The phase was landing phase]
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: Limestone-Loring AFB, ME
“Destination airport: [None noted.] [Blanchard: The destination airport was Loring AFB.]
“Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources
“Narrative: Elevator trim excursion after touch and go landing. Crashed into grain field
at Harry Moor Farm in bad weather.

Baugher, Joseph. 1955 USAF Serial Numbers. 5-16-2023 revision:
“….crashed 7/29/58 in a farmer’s field near Loring AFB, Maine. Flew into ground during bad weather. 8 of crew of 9 killed.”

Newspapers

July 29, AP: “Limestone (AP) – A B-52 giant jet bomber crashed today three miles south of Loring Air Force Base killing eight men. The craft was returning from a routine training mission. The plane was approaching the air field with a ceiling of only 400 feet. It was raining at the time. The bomber crashed in a field three miles from the Maine-New Brunswick border. There was only one survivor – Maj. Moody E. Deaton, of Dennison, Tex., an instructor pilot. He was taken to the base hospital where his condition was described as good. The plane was attached to the 42nd Bomber Wing….

“The cause of the crash was not determined, an Air Force spokesman said. Residents in the area said the plane barely missed the farm home of Carl Ireland. They said wreckage was scattered over a 20-acre area. Some of it caught fire.

“B52 bombers are equipped to carry nuclear weapons. They cost an estimated eight million dollars.

“Witnesses said Maj. Deaton was found in the wreckage. [See second paragraph below.]

“The blast shattered almost all windows in Ireland’s home less than 1,000 feet from the scene of the main impact which left a deep crater. Mrs. Ireland and her 14-year-old daughter, Carol, were making beds upstairs when the crash occurred. Mrs. Ireland said she had ‘a funny feeling that the men (the crew members) knew they were going to crash and therefore tried to avoid the house.’…

“The 35-year-old Major Deaton was found about 100 yards from the bulk of the wreckage. Capt. Daniel J. Martin, base public information officer, said Deaton’s parachute was open and it was assumed he had been ejected from the huge bomber before it struck….Martin said investigators couldn’t talk with him because it was feared his throat also was burned [as was his face and neck].

“….Martin said the plane had made one practice approach to the base and was going around for its actual landing when the crash came.” (AP. “Eight Men Killed in Bomber Crash near Limestone.” Biddeford Daily Journal, ME. 7-29-1958, p. 1.)

July 29, UP: “Loring Air Force Base, Maine (UP) – Eight crewmen of an Air Force B52 were killed today when the huge Stratofortress bomber crashed in a field as it was about to make a landing. There was one survivor. He was Maj. Moody E. Deaton of Dennison, Texas, an instructor-pilot. He suffered second degree burns of the face and throat and cuts of the chest and back. His condition was good….

“The large eight million dollar plane crashed to earth in a field on the farm of Carl Ireland on the Caribou-Noyes Road, about three miles south of Limestone.

“The plane, attached to the 42nd Bomb Wink at this base, had been on a routine training flight. The Air Force said a light rain was falling, visibility was four miles and the ceiling was 400 feet.

“Officials began an immediate investigation to determine the cause.

“A spokesman at Loring quoted an unidentified eyewitness as saying he though he saw the right wing afire before the crash. The spokesman said the witness said the plane broke into small pieces and burned after hitting the potato field.” (United Press. B52 Crash in Maine Kills 8.” The Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. 7-29-1958, p.1.)

July 30, AP: “Limestone, Maine. July 30 (AP) – An Air Force investigating team planned today to resume questioning the lone survivor of a B-52 jet bomber crash that killed eight crew members.

“Looming out of a murky 400 foot ceiling yesterday, the huge plane smashed into the ground three miles south of Loring Air Force base.

“The survivor, Maj. Moody E. Deaton, 35, of Dennison, Tex., was believed to have ejected himself moments before the plane crashed. He was found about 100 yards from the hulk of the wreckage, his parachute open. Deaton was hospitalized at the air base for treatment of second degree burns of the face and neck. Investigators talked briefly with him yesterday but hope to learn more from him today.

“The investigating team was flown in from Westover Air Force base, Massachusetts, headquarters of the 8th Air Force.

“At least two civilians living near the crash scene reported hearing an explosion and then seeing some wreckage hit the ground. Spokesmen at the big strategic air command base appealed for all witnesses to come before the investigators and tell what they saw. Wreckage of the huge eight million dollar bomber was spread over a 20 acre area, barely missing several houses.

“The craft dug a deep crater near the home of Carl Ireland. Ireland was away at the time. His wife and 14-year-pld daughter, Carol, were making beds in upstairs rooms.” (Associated Press. “Resume Questioning of Jet Crash Survivor Today.” The Lowell Sun, MA, 7-30-1958, p. 20.)

July 31, AP: “Limestone, Maine (AP) – Memorial services were scheduled for today for eight crewmen who died Tuesday in the fiery crash of a giant B52 jet bomber….Meanwhile, Air Force investigators continued poking through the wreckage of the bomber in an effort to determine the cause of the crash. The plane’s lone survivor, Maj. Moody E. Deaton, 35…told the investigators that the plane unexplainably went out of control as it climbed for altitude after making a practice approach to a runway at Loring. Deaton said he bailed out, by the ejection method, when he realized there was no chance of bringing the airplane under control. He is under hospital treatment for second degree burns. Deaton was an instructor pilot during a training mission that lasted more than 11 hours.” (Associated Press. “Services Held for 8 Crewmen in Jet Accident.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 8-31-1958, p. 6.)
Additional Source

B-52_Stratofortress: “55-0093, 29th July 1958, USAF B-52D, 42 BW Loring AFB, Maine.

Crew Fatalities:

Major Kirkwood G. Myers 35 Roanoke VA Crew Commander
Lt. Lane L. Kittle 24 Oaklawn, IL Copilot
Lt. Leonard M. Corcaro, Niagara Falls, NY
Sgt. Oran C. Reily 32 Corpus Christi, TX
Lt. Robert F. Testerman 25 Aubrey, TX
Lt. Leslie N. Martin Jr. 27 Montgomery, AL
Lt. James F. Thompson 23 Hardy, NE
Major Mile C. Johnson 36 Leavenworth, KS Instructor Navigator”

Sources

Associated Press. “Eight Men Killed in Bomber Crash near Limestone.” Biddeford Daily Journal, ME. 7-29-1958, pp. 1-2. Accessed 7-8-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biddeford-daily-journal-jul-29-1958-p-1/

Associated Press. “Resume Questioning of Jet Crash Survivor Today.” The Lowell Sun, MA, 7-30-1958, p. 20. Accessed 7-8-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-jul-30-1958-p-20/

Associated Press. “Services Held for 8 Crewmen in Jet Accident.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 8-31-1958, p. 6. Accessed 7-8-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-jul-31-1958-p-6/

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database. USAF Boeing B-52D-60-BO Stratofortress crash near Loring AFB, ME, 7-29-1958. Accessed 7-7-2023 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/48396

Baugher, Joseph. 1955 USAF Serial Numbers. 5-16-2023 revision. Accessed 7-8-2023 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1955.html

B-52 Stratofortress Draft Listing. Originally published at:
http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/aircraft_by_type/b52_stratofortress.htm
Accessed 7-8-2023 from Archive.org at: http://web.archive.org/web/20171101061754/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk:80/aircraft_by_type/b52_stratofortress.htm

United Press. B52 Crash in Maine Kills 8.” The Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. 7-29-1958, p.1. Accessed 7-8-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/berkshire-eagle-jul-29-1958-p-1/