1950 — May 18, USAF B-29 engine problem, emer. lndg. crash, Lajes Field, Azores –all 16

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard, 8-26-2023, for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–16 Aviation Safety Network. USAF KB-39M Superfortress landing crash, Lajes AFB, Azores.
–16 Baugher, J. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-40049 to 44-70254). Oct 28, 2011 revision.
–16 Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “16 Feared Dead in Crash of B-29 at Azores Base.” 5-18-1950, 1.
–15 European Stars and Stripes, Germany. “15 B29 Fliers Die in Azores.” 5-19-1950, p. 1.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1950:
“Date: 18-May-1950
“Time: night
“Type: Boeing KB-29M Superfortress
“Owner/operator: United States Air Force (USAF)
….
“MSN: 10707
“Fatalities: 16 / Occupants: 16
“Other fatalities: 0
….
“Location: Lajes AFB [US a tenant] Terceira, Azores – Portugal
“Please: Landing
“Departure airport Barksdale AFB, LA
“Destination airport: Lajes AB, Azores [Actually the plane took off for the UK but diverted to
Lajes after developing engine problems.]
“Narrative: Came down on runway 16 with engine trouble, collided with a service car
and burst into flames.”

Baugher: “Boeing B-29-65-BW Superfortress….69875 modified to KB-29 and assigned to 301st Air Refueling Squadron, 301st Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, LA. Crashed at Lajes Field, Azores May 18, 1950. All 16 onboard killed.” (Baugher. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-40049 to 44-70254). Oct 28, 2011 rev.)

Newspapers

May 18, AP/INS: Shreveport, La., May 18 (AP, INS) – A B-29 crashed in the Azores and killed possibly 16 occupants. Barksdale public information officer said an unconfirmed report from Lagens air force base, scene of the crash, indicated 11 crew members and five passengers (probably military personnel), were killed. The B-29 had left Bermuda for England and was diverted to Lagens ABF when engine trouble developed, Pelle said. He added that the plane ‘definitely is one of ours.’

“The bomber, attached to the 301st bomb wing at Barksdale AFB here, was en route to England as part of the air force rotational policy to provide overseas training for regular air force groups.

“The first planes of the group left Barksdale about May 5, Pelle said….He explained that planes of the 301st are being shuttled to England to replace the second bomb group, which is returning to its headquarters at Chatham air force base at Savannah, Ga.” (Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “16 Feared Dead in Crash of B-29 at Azores Base.” 5-18-1950, 1.)

May 18, UP: “Shreveport, LA, La., May 18 (UP) A B29 from Barksdale Air Force Base crashed in the Azores Islands last night killing all 15 persons aboard, the Air Force reported today. The report received here from the Lagens Air Base in the Azores said the plane had developed engine trouble on a flight to England and crashed during an attempted landing.

“Ten crewmen and five passengers, all military personnel, were aboard the bomber when it left here Tuesday morning, Capt. Salvatore Pelle, Barksdale public information officer, said. Pelle said he had been unable to learn all the details of the crash because of communication difficulties. He said the engine trouble started after the plane had left Bermuda, where it had stopped to refuel. It then changed its course to try to make the Azores base, which lies west of Spain between Bermuda and England. Pelle said the B29 was flying to England with other planes of the 30lst Bomb Wing for temporary duty….The crash occurred about 7 pm yesterday.” (European Stars and Stripes, Germany. “15 B29 Fliers Die in Azores.” 5-19-1950, p. 1.)

Sources

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1950. USAF KB-39M Superfortress landing crash, Lajes AFB, Azores, Portugal, 18-May-1950. Accessed 8-26-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/98707

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

European Stars and Stripes, Darmstadt, Germany. “15 B29 Fliers Die in Azores,” 5-19-1950, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=133387930

Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “16 Feared Dead in Crash of B-29 at Azores Base.” 5-18-1950, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=94796482