1950 — Jan 13, USAF G-15A glider dips, dives to ground too steeply, Lawson AFB, GA– 13
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard, 8-31-2023, for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–13 AP. “13 Killed in Glider Crash At Ft. Benning.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA, 1-14-1950, p1.
–13 Aviation Safety Network. USAF Waco G-15A crash Lawson AFB, GA, 13-Jan-1950.
–13 INS. “Shattered Wreckage of Glider…Searched.” McKinney Daily Courier-Gazette, TX, 1-14-1950, 1.
Narrative Information
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database:
“Date: Friday 13 January 1950
“Time: [not noted]
“Type: Waco B-15A [glider]
“Owner/operator: United States Air Force (USAF)
“Registration: 45-5548
….
“Fatalities: Fatalities: 13 / Occupants: 13 [Incorrect – there were 17 occupants.]
….
“Location: Lawson AFB, GA
“Phase: Landing [Incorrect – the glider had just been released from tow-plane.]
“Nature: Military [Mission was to carry paratroop trainees on final training flight.]
“Departure airport: Lawson AFB
“Destination airport: Lawson AFB
“Narrative:
“Crashed on landing from a training flight. The glider was carrying 10 trainee airborne soldiers and one instructor as passengers, and a crew of 2 USAF pilots. Control appears to have been lost when the glider stalled and dived into the ground killing all on board.”
Newspaper
Jan 14, AP: “Fort Benning, Ga., Jan. 14 (AP) The unexplained crash of an air-force glider here brought death to 13 of Uncle Sam’s top-flight rough and ready fighting men. Five of the 17 men aboard the glider survived yesterday’s crash, but one of the survivors died of injuries early today. Three of the remaining four survivors are in critical condition at the Lawson Airforce base hospital.
“Among the victims were 11 student paratroopers ready for their final exam – hitting the silk in one more jump. Also killed were a sergeant-instructor and the glider’s pilot, Second Lt. Robert D. Henley of Columbia, Mo.
“The crash…was the first fatal accident in the glider training school since the death of one man in 1946.
“The glider, one of two released by a C-82 tow plane, was settling on the runway normally when, witnesses reported, one wing dipped sharply and struck the ground. First Lt. Melvin L. Minnix, pilot of the companion glider, said the crack up came at a 30 degree angle and scattered wreckage over the field ‘like confetti after a parade.’ ‘His gliding speed seemed normal,’ Minnix continued in describing Henley’s landing. ‘His altitude glide appeared the same as mine, Minnix related, ‘when I noticed…he lost altitude fast and then hit the ground at about a 30 degree angle with his left wing’….” (Associated Press. “13 Killed in Glider Crash At Ft. Benning.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA, 1-14-1950, p. 1.)
Jan 14, INS: “Lawson Field, Ga., Jan. 14 (INS). – The shattered wreckage of a cargo glider which crashed during a landing attempt at Lawson Field, killing 12 airborne infantrymen and their pilot, is being searched today by a 14th Air Force investigation team. Twelve of the 13 victims, and four other infantrymen aboard the glider who are in serious condition at the nearby Fort Benning base hospital, were to have graduated from the glider school as paratroopers today.
“The glider cartwheeled across the field late yesterday and plunged into a runway whin it failed to pull out of a dive. Ten of the victims died instantly. Two others succumbed later in the base hospital, and another died early today.
“Eye witnesses said the crash, which scattered bodies and debris over a 500-foot area…’sounded like an artillery piece going off in the distance.’….
“The glider – one of two craft attached to a C-82 tow plane – had just been released from the mother ship when it plunged to earth yesterday. First Lt. Melvin L. Minnix, of Salem, Va., who piloted the second glider to a safe landing moments after the crash, said: ‘Both of us were about 1,ppp feet above the filed when we cut away. Everything seemed to have been entirely routine without any indication something would happen. The other pilot started on his final approach when I noticed his glide angle was fairly steep. He lost altitude fast, then hit at about a 30 degree angle with his left wind slightly down.’….
“The two gliders were of the same type used to carry White House Presidential Assistant David Stowe and other civilian leaders on a demonstration flight when they visited Ft. Benning last month. The airborne craft and the C-82 cargo plane were stationed at Smyrna Air Force Base near Nashville, Tenn., but all the infantrymen were from Fort Benning. Air Force authorities said it was usual procedure for the Air Force to supply gliders for Airborne infantrymen and paratroopers.
“They said the glider carried no fuel or other material that might have caused an internal explosion just before the crash. Gliders are generally cut loose for landing purposes at about 2,500 feet and take from four to nine minutes to land.” (INS. “Shattered Wreckage of Glider Is Searched.” McKinney Daily Courier-Gazette, TX, 1-14-1950, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “13 Killed in Glider Crash At Ft. Benning.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA, 1-14-1950, p. 1. Accessed 8-31-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/thomasville-times-enterprise-jan-14-1950-p-1/
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1950. USAF Waco G-15A crash Lawson AFB, GA, 13-Jan-1950. Accessed 8-31-2023 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/120720
INS [International News Service]. “Shattered Wreckage of Glider Is Searched.” McKinney Daily Courier-Gazette, TX, 1-14-1950, p. 1. Accessed 8-31-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mckinney-daily-courier-gazette-jan-14-1950-p-1/
Text content