1943 – Oct 15, USAAF B-24E with engine trouble hits mt. returning to Blythe AAB, CA–10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-24-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 Associated Press. “Army Bomber Crashes.” Bakersfield Californian, CA. 10-16-1943, p. 1.
–10 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 550.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 1948, a Consolidated B-24E crashed eight miles northwest of the Army Air Base at Blythe, California, killing ten crewmembers. Investigators stated,
‘B-24E #4264397 took off from Blythe AAB at 1926 on a routine navigation training flight. At 1937, he checked into the radio net and at 1945, from an altitude of 6,000 feet west of the field, he called the Tower and reported that he was having engine trouble and asked for permission to land west to east on Runway 8. He was granted permission by the Tower, which stopped all other traffic. Immediately after this, the ship acknowledged receipt of the permission, which was followed by voiced transmission, which the tower could not read. At 1947, the radio operator checked out of the radio net. At 1948, the tower saw the flames as the ship hit the mountains at an altitude of 1,800 feet, about eight miles northwest of Blythe AAB. It is the opinion of the board that his pilot, after being cleared to land on Runway 8, approached the field, and finding that he was at too great an altitude to get in, decided to let down in a 360-degree turn. At this time, the moon had not come up and there was no horizon. Against local flying regulations the pilot made this left-hand turn and contacted the mountain at 1,800 feet. The airplane exploded and burned immediately after contact’.” (Mireles 2006. Vol. 2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 550.)
Newspaper
Oct 16, AP: “Blythe, Oct. 16. (AP) – A four-engined bomber from the Blythe army air base crashed in the mountains west of here last night, officials of the base reported today. Lieutenant John R. McCarty, public relations officer, said all 10 men aboard were believed killed.” (Associated Press. “Army Bomber Crashes.” Bakersfield Californian, CA. 10-16-1943, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Army Bomber Crashes.” Bakersfield Californian, CA. 10-16-1943, p. 1. Accessed 4-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bakersfield-californian-oct-16-1943-p-1/
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.