1949 – Sep 30, USAF B-17 crash into mesa in storm/poor visibility, 4M W of Raton, NM–10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard Sep 17, 2023 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 Assoc. Press. “Plane Crash Near Raton Kills Ten.” Hobbs Daily News, NM. 10-2-1949, p.1.
–10 Aviation Safety Network. USAF B-17 crash 4M W of Raton, NM, 30-Sep-1949.
–10 United Press. “10 Killed in B-17 Crash Near Raton.” Yuma Daily Sun, AZ. 10-1-1949, p1.
Narrative Information
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1949:
“Date: 30 Sep 1949
“Type: Boeing SB-17G Flying Fortress
“Owner/operator: United States Air Force (USAF)
“Registration: 44083567
….
“Fatalities: Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 10
“Other fatalities: 0
“Location: 4 mi W of Raton, NY – USA [AP and UP note the crash was N of Raton.]
“Phase: Unknown
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: [Not noted] [UP: Biggs Field, El Paso TX.]
“Destination airport: [Not noted] [AP: Lowry Air Base, Denver, CO.]
“Narrative:
“Crashed into hill due to bad visibility after encountering thunderstorm. Coordinates listed on Cert. of Death was 36 deg 59’N; 104 deg 27′ 30″W
“Those killed were stationed at Lowry AFB, Denver, Colorado. All were WWII Veterans.
Walter C Williams, USAF, Buried: Sharon, Pennsylvania
Melvin R Truman, USAF, Buried: Dallas, Texas
James L Reidinger, USAF, Buried Little Rock, Arkansas
Martin L Murray, USAF, Buried Rapid City, South Dakota
Floyd C Melton, Jr. USAF, Buried Waco, Texas
Frank M Kackstetter, USAF, Buried Fairmount Maus., Denver, Colorado
James R Irby, USAF, Buried East Point, Georgia
Carl A Hill, USAF, Buried Mount Ida, Arkansas
Arthur L Gaudreault, USAF, Buried South Berwick, Maine
Melvin C Brock, USAF, Buried Salt Lake City, Utah.”
Newspaper
Oct 1, AP: “Raton, Oct. 1 (AP) – Ten men, three of them from Biggs Air Force Base, El Paso, Texas, were killed last night in the crash of a B-17 air rescue plane near here. The plane, during a storm, hit about 150 feet below the top of 9,500-foot Lynwood Mesa seven miles north of Raton. Wreckage was scattered over 400 yards. Only the tail section remained intact. Seven crew members killed in the crash were stationed at Lowry air base in Denver..” (Associated Press. “Plane Crash Near Raton Kills Ten.” Hobbs Daily News, NM. 10-2-1949, p. 1.)
Oct 1, UP: “Raton, N.M., Oct. 1 (UP) – An Air Force B-17 crashed in rugged mesa country six miles north of here sometime last night and authorities at its home base, Biggs Field, Tex., said all 10 crewmen were killed. In El Paso, Biggs Field spokesman said it had confirmed that the crewmen, from Flight B of the 2151st Air Rescue Unit, had not survived the crash.
“Two ranch employes discovered the wreckage of the four-engine bomber scattered over a quarter-mile area in the almost inaccessible wilderness country of the Bartolino Ranch north of here shortly after dawn this morning. The ranch hands, Herman Lyle and Gus Sackariason, said they believed the plane exploded.
“The site of the crash is about 10 miles south of Trinidad, Colo.
“The plane, bound from Biggs Field at El Paso, Tex., to Denver, apparently crashed shortly after 6 p.m. An unidentified rancher told civilian authorities he heard the sound of a plane engine at about that time and then shortly afterward heard a big ‘boom’.” (United Press. “10 Killed in B-17 Crash Near Raton.” Yuma Daily Sun, AZ. 10-1-1949, p.1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Plane Crash Near Raton Kills Ten.” Hobbs Daily News, NM. 10-2-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hobbs-daily-news-sun-oct-02-1949-p-1/
Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1949. USAF B-17 Flying Fortress crash 4M W of Raton, NM, 30-Sep-1949. Accessed 9-17-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/63650
United Press. “10 Killed in B-17 Crash Near Raton.” Yuma Daily Sun, AZ. 10-1-1949, p1. Accessed 9-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/yuma-sun-sep-30-1949-p-8/
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