44-61797

On December 3, 1951 at 11:20 AM, 44-61797 experienced a crash involving Boeing B-29 Superfortress, operated by United States Air Force - USAF, with the event recorded near Denver Colorado.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a city crash site.

14 people were known to be on board, 8 fatalities were recorded, 6 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 57.1%.

Crew on board: 14, crew fatalities: 8, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The crew was performing a liaison flight when an engine failed en route. The captain decided to divert to Lowry AFB in Denver for a safe landing. Unfortunately, on final approach, the heavy bomber stalled and smashed in flames in a residential area located few hundred yards short of runway threshold. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and was destroyed by a post crash fire. Five houses were damaged and four others were destroyed. On ground, six people were injured as well as six crew members. Eight others were killed in the crash. Crew: Cpt James W. Shanks, pilot, 1st Lt Robert H. Snure, copilot, T/Sgt Robert F. Jarvis, gunnery instructor, † T/Sgt Herbert Oeser, gunnery instructor, † Cpl Richard P. Yukob, gunnery instructor, † Pfc James E. Snyder, gunnery instructor, † Pfc Ronald W. Wiersma, gunnery, † Pfc William J. Ablondi, gunnery, † Pfc Baxter Srber, gunnery, † Pfc John R. Servic, gunnery. † S/Sgt William A. Zippel, Cpl Ray E. Widner, Pfc Teddy D. Allen, Pfc Joe D. Wiggins.

Aircraft reference details include registration 44-61797, MSN 11274, year of manufacture 1944.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 39.7392°, -104.9849°.