South Plains AFB - South Plains AFB

On March 16, 1944 at 11:41 PM, South Plains AFB - South Plains AFB experienced a crash involving Lockheed C-60 LodeStar, operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF, with the event recorded near South Plains AFB (Lubbock) Texas.

The flight was categorized as training and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

3 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The crew was engaged in a glider towing exercise. Shortly after take off, while climbing to a height of 80 feet, the left engine failed. The glider's pilot immediately released the cable when the LodeStar banked left and crashed near the runway. All three occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration 42-55938, MSN 2375.