1943 – March 29, USAAF B-17F 42-5313 flies into ground 5M NE of Ephrata AAB, WA-11
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-14-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–11 Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). 10-28-2011 rev.
–11 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V. 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p. 322.
Narrative Information
Baugher: “Boeing B-17F-45-BO Fortress….5313 crashed 5 mi NE of Ephrata, WA Mar 29, 1943. 11 crew killed.” (Baugher. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). 10-28-2011 revision.)
Mireles: “At 0310 PWT, a Boeing B-17F flew into the ground five miles northeast of the Army Air Base at Ephrata, Washington, killing 11 fliers….
“Investigation revealed that B-17F #42-5313 took off from Ephrata Army Air Base at 0254 PWT on a one hour and thirty minute local training mission to practice night landings and night instrument flight on the Ephrata Range. There was no radio contact with this B-17 after take-off. At 0310, an explosion was noted five miles northeast of Ephrata AAB. Control Officers then called in all of B-17s that were operating from Ephrata AAB, but they were unable to contact the subject airplane, B-17F #425313, and B-17F #42-29500. At first it was thought that these two aircraft had collided in mid-air and crashed together but investigation of the explosion revealed that only the wreckage of B-17F #42-5313 was present at the crash site. Investigation of the wreckage revealed that B-17 #42-5313 had dove into the ground and exploded violently, scattering wreckage and body parts over an area of one-half mile long by 200 yards wide. It was speculated that the pilot probably did not transition from contact to instrument flight, or from instrument to contact flight, soon-enough to prevent the airplane from flying into the ground….
“Killed in the crash were: [We break paragraph into single lines.]
2Lt. Marvin R. Furch, pilot;
2Lt. Joseph J. Whalen, co-pilot;
2Lt. James A Calnon, observer-pilot;
TSgt. Harold L. Mason, engineer;
TSgt. William T. Freeland, radio operator;
SSgt. Joseph E. Brielman, assistant radio operator;
SSgt. Harold W. Bunce, gunner;
SSgt. John G. Bowen, assistant engineer;
TSgt. Herman E. Stephens, assistant engineer;
Sgt. Abraham Kaden, passenger;
Sgt. John D. Naus, passenger.”
(Mireles 2006, Vol. 1, p. 322.)
Sources
Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). Oct 28 2011 revision. Accessed 12-9-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_1.html
Mireles, Anthony J. Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 1: Introduction, January 1941 – June 1943). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.