1944 — Feb 18, two USAAF B-24s collide, 3 plane formation, 20M from Phoenix, AZ–all 17
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-13-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–17 Baugher, Joe. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-39758 to 42-50026). 5-18-2011 revision.
–17 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 693.
–17 Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ “Two Bombers Collide in Air, Killing Crews, 2-19-1944, p. 2.
Narrative Information
Baugher: “Consolidated B-24D-140-CO Liberator….41159 collided in midair with 42-52756 20 mi outside of Phoenix, AZ Feb 18, 1944. All 17 onboard killed.” (Baugher. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-39758 to 42-50026). 5-18-2011 rev.)
Mireles: “At 1059 MWT, a Consolidated B-24D and a B-24H collided in mid-air and crashed 45 miles northeast of Williams Field, Chandler, Arizona, killing 17 fliers….. Investigators stated,
[At 0900 MWT] a flight of three B-24s took off on a high altitude formation flight from Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona. B-24H #42-52756 took off thirty minutes late and joined the formation at 15,000 feet indicated. This was by previous arrangement. The formation to be adopted was a three-airplane V-formation in the first element with a single airplane as leader of an imaginary second element javelin down in trail. The formation, after rendezvousing at 15,000 feet indicated, climbed to 20,700 feet indicated and leveled off. The leader of the second element, B-24H #42-52756, lagged on the climb, and as the formation leveled off was above the formation and considerably to the rear. In attempting to get back in proper position, he overran to the top of the formation to a point slightly above and to the left of the ship in the number-two position. The right wing of aircraft #42-52756 struck the left wing of aircraft #42-41159, the number-two ship, and they both crashed to the ground. (Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 693.)
Newspapers
Feb 18, Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ: “Officers from the Davis-Monthan Army airbase, where B-24 Liberato bomber crews are trained, were reported to have left today for Falcon field, near Phoenix, where it was reported two of the big ships collided. The public relations office said it was ‘presumed’ the planes were B-24 bombers assigned to the Davis-Monthan base. The PRO added that their normal complement of each plane is 10 men. Officials at Falcon field, a British flying training base, said there was fire in the wreckage. They were unable to say if there were any survivors or how many were aboard.” (Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ “B-24 Bomber Collision Reported Near Phoenix.” 2-28-1944, p. 1.)
Feb 19, Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ: “Planes From Tucson Field Crash Near Phoenix After Accident. An investigation started today into the crash of two B-24 Liberator bombers from Davis-Monthan field yesterday on the Salt River Indian Reservation which resulted in the death of 17 army crewmen and fliers According to witnesses the two planes were cruising together, 20 miles northeast of Phoenix when they locked wings and plummeted to the earth, killing the entire crews of both planes.
“Seven men were aboard one plane and the other carried its full complement. Wreckage was scattered over a large area and parts of the planes were sill smoking when officers arrived, indication being that the ships either exploded or burst into flames after striking the earth.
“High ranking officers from three training fields in the area, and a British cadet base, were attracted to the scene. A lone Indian and a British cadet witnessed the tragedy. The list of Divis-Monthan Men losing their lives follow:
Second Lt. Peter J. Block, 22, son of Mrs. May A. Block, 950 East Fifth street, Brooklyn, N.Y. (pilot)
Second Lt. George W. Zellers, 21, son of Mrs. Helen B. Zellers, 1003 Kansas avenue, Holton, Kas., (Co-pilot)
Second Lt. Earl M. Lieberman, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob M. Lieberman, 333 East Fairfax road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Second Lt. Robert J. Poett, 24, husband of Mrs. Mildred Poett, 145 Kansas street, Indianapolis, Ind.
Second Lt. John S. Glass, 24, husband of Mrs. Mary K. Perry, 491 Pleasant street, Worcester, Mass. (Living in Tucson.)
Second Lt. Merle H. Mahan, 21, son of Mrs. Ammie Mahan, 1566 East Ninety-third street, Cleveland, Ohio.
Second Lt. Donald F. West, 26, son of Mrs. Ann M. West, 13 Pendleton, Courtland, N.Y.
“Staff Sg. Robert H. Drummond, 1124 Westport R., Kansas City, Mo.
Staff Sgt. William R. Bassett, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. William C. Bassett, 4822 Prosperity Pl., Cincinnati, Ohio.
Sgt. Harvey M. Fanning, 21, son of Olin J. Fanning, Rte. 1., Cincinnati, Ohio.
Sgt. Edward D. Dennis, 21, mother, Mrs. Maude Blanche Dennis, 1010 Carlisle Ave.., Spokane, Wash.
Sgt. Walter L. Bradford, 21, wife, Maida Bradford, 1124 Forest Ave., Marysville, Ky.
Sgt. Thomas J. Jablonsky, 19, son of Mrs. Anna Jablonsky, 4733 So. Rockwell St., Chicago.
Corp. Robert E. Hentgen, 23, son of Mrs. Frances Hentgen, 605 Montana Ave., So. Milwaukee, Wis.
Pvt. Russell J. V. Johnson, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Johnson, 400 61st St., Red Oak, Ia.”
(Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ “Two Bombers Collide in Air, Killing Crews, 2-19-1944, p. 2.)
Sources
Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-39758 to 42-50026). 5-18-2011 revision. Accessed 10-19-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_2a.html
Mireles, Anthony J. Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 2: July 1943 – July 1944). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006
Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ “B-24 Bomber Collision Reported Near Phoenix.” 2-28-1944, p. 1. Accessed 4-13-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/tucson-daily-citizen-feb-18-1944-p-1/
Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ “Two Bombers Collide in Air, Killing Crews, 2-19-1944, p. 2. Accessed 4-13-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/tucson-daily-citizen-feb-19-1944-p-2/