1943 — June 15, two USAAF B-24Es in formation collide/crash 10M N of Ruidoso, NM– 19
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-10-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–19 AP. “Death of 19 in Alamogordo Crash Probed.” Santa Fe New Mexican, 6-16-1943, p. 1.
–19 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V. 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p. 406.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 0650, two Consolidated B-24E aircraft collided in mid-air ten miles north of Ruidoso, New Mexico, killing 19 crewmembers aboard both airplanes…. The aircraft were part of a formation of eight B24 airplanes flying in three elements of three in a javelin type formation on a bombing and gunnery training mission. The formation was flying north and had leveled out at about 13,000 feet (4,000 feet above ground level) when B-24 #7071, flying in the number-three position of the first element, began sliding over to the right, eventually flying above and behind B-24 #7146, which was flying in the lead position of the first element. The port propellers of B-24 #7071 made slight contact with the port vertical fin and rudder of B-24 #7146. B-24 #7071 backed off for an instant before colliding with the tail of B-24 #7146 again, severing the upper third of the port vertical fin and rudder with the inboard port propeller. The starboard propellers chewed into the starboard vertical fin as B-24 #7071 slid to the right while the port propellers severed the remainder of the tail section. B24 #7146 fell to earth and exploded into flames.
“According to the surviving engineer, Sgt. Robinson, B-24 #7071 was under control after the accident and he stated that the pilot stalled the airplane and it entered a spin to the ground. Being held in the airplane by the forces of the spin, Sgt. Robinson was able to pull himself to a hole in the fuselage and was flung to safety. Wreckage of the airplanes fell five miles west of Pt. Stanton and ten miles north of Ruidoso, approximately 50 miles north of the bomber base at Alamogordo. It was noted by investigators that the rising sun was a contributing factor in the accident.” (Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents, Vol. 1, Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p. 406.)
Newspaper
June 16, AP: “Alamogordo, N.M., June 16 (AP) – A board of Army officers today was investigating the collision crash of two large bombers yesterday between Ruidoso and Capitan in which 19 officers and enlisted men were killed. One man parachuted to safety.
“Deputy Sheriff Nick Vega said that six bodies were removed from the smoking fuselage of the plane late yesterday, and that the others and plane wreckage were scattered over a large area. Vega said military police had barred all civilians from the crash scene.
“From nearby ranchers, the sheriff’s office learned that the planes were part of a formation. Witnesses placed tie time of the collision at about 7 a.m. First reports of the accident came from William Ferguson a rancher. A guest at his home, Mrs. Ella Hartley, said she saw the planes come together, but she gave no details of the crash.” (Associated Press. “Death of 19 in Alamogordo Crash Probed.” Santa Fe New Mexican, 6-16-1943, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Death of 19 in Alamogordo Crash Probed.” Santa Fe New Mexican, 6-16-1943, p. 1. Accessed 4-19-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-fe-new-mexican-jun-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.