1945 — June 29, USAAF TB-24 engine power loss after takeoff/crash, 6M SE Chandler AZ–7

Compiled 12-23-2023 by Wayne Blanchard for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–7  AP. “7 Killed When Bomber Crashes.” Somerset Daily American, Pa. 6-30-1945, p. 1.

–7  Aviation Safety Network. USAAF TB-24 engine power loss, crash, 1M SE Chandler AZ.

Narrative Information

 

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 100:

“Date:                          Friday 29 June 1945

“Time:                         07:05

“Type:                         Consolidated TB-24L Liberator

“Owner/operator:        United States Army Air Forces (USAAF)

“Registration:              44-50103

….

“Fatalities:                   Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 7

….

“Phase:                        Initial climb

“Nature:                      Military

“Departure airport:      Williams Field, Chandler, Arizona

“Destination airport:   return to same

“Narrative:

 

“Crashed. Power was lost in the № 2 engine minutes after departure. The motor/propeller was feathered, and the aircraft crashed into the ground, left wing low, while making a left banking turn to return to the airfield, six miles southeast of Williams Field, Chandler, Arizona. All six airmen aboard were killed when the airplane plummeted into the ground, flipped over and broke apart.

 

“The aircrew killed were:

 

1st. Lt. Victor S. Bruce, O-686888, NY, Pilot
2nd Lt. Hesler W. Ellis, O2095264, NY, Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. Quentin P. Redden, O2079100, MO, Navigator
Flt. Off. Frederick D. Gregor, T-143723, PA, Student Navigator
Flt. Off. Earnest L. Sager, T-143763, IL, Student Navigator
T/Sgt. Richard W. Hoyt, 39040075, CA, Radio Operator
S/Sgt. Sgt Arthur W. Hendrix, unknown, AR, Flight Engineer.”

 

Newspaper

 

June 29, AP: “Williams Field, Ariz., June 29 – (AP) – Seven men were killed today when an army B-24 crashed and burned southeast of its base at Williams Field. The dead included 1st Lt. Victory Schott Bruce, 27, of South Glens Falls., N.Y. (Wife lives at Mesa, Ariz.).” (Associated Press. “7 Killed When Bomber Crashes.” Somerset Daily American, Pa. 6-30-1945, p. 1.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “7 Killed When Bomber Crashes.” Somerset Daily American, Pa. 6-30-1945, p. 1. Accessed 12-23-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-daily-american-jun-30-1945-p-1/

 

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 100. USAAF TB-24 engine power loss, crash, 1M SE Chandler AZ, 29 June 1945. Accessed 12-23-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/101965