Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

The Collings Foundation

The vintage, former US military bomber airplane was on a tour that allowed members of the public to purchase an excursion aboard the airplane for an LHFE flight. The accident flight was the airplane’s first flight of the day. During the initial climb, one of the pilots retracted the landing gear, and the crew chief/flight engineer (referred to as the loadmaster) left the cockpit to inform the passengers that they could leave their seats and walk around the airplane. One of the pilots reported to air traffic control that the airplane needed to return to the airport because of a rough magneto. At that time, the airplane was at an altitude of about 600 ft above ground level (agl) on the right crosswind leg of the airport traffic pattern for runway 6. The approach controller asked the pilot if he needed any assistance, to which the pilot replied, “negative.” When the loadmaster returned to the cockpit, he realized that the airplane was no longer climbing, and the pilot, realizing the same, instructed the copilot to extend the landing gear, which he did. The loadmaster left the cockpit to instruct the passengers to return to their seats and fasten their seat belts. When the loadmaster returned again to the cockpit, the pilot stated that the No. 4 engine was losing power; the pilot then shut down that engine and feathered the propeller without any further coordination or discussion. When the airplane was at an altitude of about 400 ft agl, it was on a midfield right downwind leg for runway 6. Witness video showed that the landing gear had already been extended by that time, even though the airplane still had about 2.7 nautical miles to fly in the traffic pattern before reaching the runway 6 threshold. During final approach, the airplane struck the runway 6 approach lights in a right-wing-down attitude about 1,000 ft before the runway and then contacted the ground about 500 ft before the runway. After landing short of the runway, the airplane traveled onto the right edge of the runway threshold and continued to veer to the right. The airplane collided with vehicles and a deicing fluid tank before coming to rest upright about 940 ft to the right of the runway. A postcrash fire ensued. Both pilots and five passengers were killed and all six other occupants as well as one people on the ground were injured, five seriously.

Liberty Foundation

The weekend before the accident, a fuel leak was identified. The fuel leak was subsequently repaired, and a final inspection the morning of the accident flight reportedly did not reveal any evidence of a continued fuel leak. Shortly after takeoff, the flight crew noticed a faint odor in the cockpit and a small amount of smoke near the radio room. The flight crew immediately initiated a turn with the intention of returning to the departure airport. About that time, they received a radio call from the pilot of the accompanying airplane advising that there was a fire visible on the left wing. The accident pilot subsequently executed an emergency landing to a corn field. Emergency crews were hampered by the muddy field conditions, and the fire ultimately consumed significant portions airframe. In-flight photographs showed the presence of fire on the aft lower portion of the left wing between the inboard and outboard engines. Located in the same area of the fire were fuel tanks feeding the left-side engines. After landing, heavy fire conditions were present on the left side of the airplane, and the fire spread to the fuselage. A postaccident examination noted that the C-channel installed as part of the No. 1 main fuel tank repair earlier in the week was partially separated. During the examination, the tank was filled with a small amount of water, which then leaked from the aft section of the repair area in the vicinity of the partially separated channel. Metallurgical examination of the repair area revealed a longitudinal fatigue crack along the weld seam. The fatigue nature of the crack was consistent with a progressive failure along the fuel tank seam that existed before the accident flight and was separate from the damage sustained in the emergency landing and postlanding fire. The repair earlier in the week attempted to seal the leak but did not address the existing crack itself. In fact, the length of the crack observed at the time of the repair was about one-half the length of the crack noted during the postaccident examination, suggesting that the crack progressed rapidly during the course of the accident flight. Because the repaired fuel tank was positioned within the open wing structure, a fuel leak of significant volume would have readily vaporized, producing a flammable fuel vapor/air mixture. Although the exact ignition source could not be determined due to the fire damage, it is likely that the fuel vapor and liquid fuel encountered hot surfaces from nearby engine components, which initiated the in-flight fire.

Institut Géographique National

During the takeoff roll, after about 100 yards, a slight swing to the left developed, which the commander (who was the handling pilot) corrected by partially retarding the power on engines n°3 and 4, and by the use of rudder. Full power was then re-applied on all engines, but the aircraft started to swing to the right. The pilot throttled back engine n°1 and 2, together with the application of rudder, but these actions were not immediately effective. The aircraft did not resume a straight course until it was on the grass to the right of the runway. Knowing that the B17 had been operated from grass runways, the commander elected to continue with the take-off. However, after some 400-500 yards the aircraft swung further to the right, by which time the speed was 90-95 mph. The commander then became aware that the aircraft's path was obstructed by a tree and a pile of gravel. The left wing tip struck the tree and the n°4 propeller struck the gravel. The aircraft yawed to the right, crossed a hollow in the ground and landed in a cornfield beyond. The fuselage broke in two and a fire erupted. All 10 occupants were rescued, among them five were injured, two seriously. The aircraft was totally destroyed by fire.

Dothan Aviation Corporation

The crew departed Cordele-Crisp County Airport on a local crop control mission consisting of spraying forests. En route, one of the engine caught fire. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing. The airplane crash landed and came to rest in flames. While both occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Aircraft Specialties Company

Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in the US in July 1975, exact date unknown. Crew fate unknown.

Aircraft Specialties Company

The crew departed Elko Airport in the early evening on a fire fighting mission in the region of Eureka. While flying at low height, the pilot-in-command initiated a sharp turn when control was lost. The airplane crashed in a hilly terrain and was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. Both pilots were killed.

Black Hills Aviation

The crew departed Alamogordo on a fire fighting mission in the region of Socorro. During a second pass at low altitude, the airplane contacted trees and crashed in flames. Both pilots were killed.

Frigorifico Reyes

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Crew fate unknown.

Aero Union

The crew was engaged in a fire fighting mission in the region of Tucson, Arizona. While flying at low height, the crew noticed a loss of power on all four engines and attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in an uninhabited area and came to rest. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aeroflite

The crew departed Cody in the afternoon in a firefighting mission in the region of Dubois. While completing a pullup from a swath run, the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed on the slope of a mountain. Both pilots were killed.

Aeroflite

Shortly after takeoff from Kalispell Airport while on a firefighting mission, the copilot informed ground that the engine number three caught fire and elected to return for an emergency landing. Fire spread quickly to the right wing and the crew realized he could not make it so the captain attempted an emergency landing in an open field located near the airport. The airplane crash landed and came to rest in flames. While both crew members were uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed.

Boliviana de Aviación

Crashed in unknown circumstances at La Paz-El Alto Airport. No casualties.

Compania Boliviana de Rutas Aéreas

Crashed in unknown circumstances at La Paz-El Alto Airport. No casualties.

Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano - LAB Airlines

Crashed in unknown circumstances. No casualties.

Compania Boliviana de Rutas Aéreas

Crashed in unknown circumstances while on a cargo flight.

Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano - LAB Airlines

Crashed on landing. No casualties.

Bolivian Air System

Crashed on landing in unclear circumstances. All three crew members were unhurt.

Compania Boliviana de Rutas Aéreas

Crashed in unknown circumstances. There were no casualties.

Private American

During the takeoff roll at Santiago de los Caballeros-Cibao Airport, the captain decided to abandon the departure for unknown reason. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and came to rest into a ditch. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was written off. The reason that forced the crew to abandon the takeoff procedure remains unclear.

Servicios Aéreos Cochabamba

Suffered an accident at La Paz-El Alto Airport. Occupant's fate unknown.

Aerovias Moxos

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

Corporación Boliviana de Fomento

Crashed in unknown circumstances. No casualties.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

Shortly after takeoff from Recife-Guararapes Airport, while climbing, the airplane stalled and crashed onto a building. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Aerovias Moxos

Shortly after takeoff from La Paz-El Alto Airport, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing in Viacha, some 17 km southwest of the airfield. All four crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano - LAB Airlines

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Crew fate remains unknown.

Corporación Boliviana de Fomento

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Crew fate remains unknown.

Chinese Air Force - AFPLA - Chung-Kuo Shan Min Taie Fang Tsun Pu-Tai

Shot down by the pilot of a Chine MiG-17 and crashed south of Xingping, killing all 12 crew members.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

A failure with the undercarriage forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing while on approach to Salvador. There were no casualties.

Frigorifico Grigota

Crashed in unknown circumstances. There were no casualties.

Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano - LAB Airlines

Crashed while taking off from La Paz-El Alto Airport. There were no casualties.

Aerovias Los Andes

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Laja, about 19 km west of La Paz-El Alto Airport.

Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano - LAB Airlines

Crashed on approach to La Paz-El Alto Airport. Crew fate unknown.

Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano - LAB Airlines

Few minutes after takeoff from Cochabamba Airport, while climbing to an altitude of 9,000 feet, the airplane collided with a LAB C-49E registered CP-572. While the crew of the C-49 was able to perform an emergency landing at Trinidad Airport, the B-17 went out of control and crashed, killing all three crew members. The exact circumstances of the collision remains unclear.

Mark Hurd Mapping Company

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the Nevada desert. Two crew members were killed while a third occupant was injured.

United States Air Force - USAF

Mistakenly shot down by the pilot of a USAF North American F-86D Sabre registered 50-469 while performing a local training flight. Crashed in a prairie, killing four crew members and injuring four others.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

While conducting a local training sortie from Recife-Guararapes Airport, the four engine aircraft collided with a FAB North American AT-6 Texan registered 1555 and carrying two pilots. Following the collision, both aircraft crashed into the sea about 5 km off shore. Two crew members on board the Boeing were rescued while eight other occupants in both aircraft were killed. The exact circumstances of the collision remains unknown.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew left McChord AFB that day on a reconnaissance mission, taking part to rescue operations after a Northwest Airlines C-54 disappeared in the region of the Queen Charlotte Island. While returning to its base by night, the airplane was too low and hit tree tops before crashing in a wooded area located on the slope of Mt Buckhorn, about 17,5 miles south of Sequim. Three crew members were killed while five others were rescued.

United States Air Force - USAF

Crashed in unknown circumstances ten miles northwest of Talkeetna while on a flight from Elmendorf AFB to Fort Wainwright (Ladd Army Airfield) in Fairbanks. A crew member was killed while six others were injured. The wreckage was removed by Champaign Aviation Museum in July 2011 for use on 44-85813 restoration.

United States Air Force - USAF

Crashed on takeoff for unknown reasons. There were no casualties.

Institut Géographique National

Crashed in unknown circumstances. There were no casualties.

United States Air Force - USAF

Less than five minutes after takeoff from Tokyo-Haneda Airport, while in initial climb, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Tokyo Bay, about 14,5 km southeast of the airport. A crew member was killed while ten others were rescued. The airplane was on its way to Kadena AFB, Okinawa.

United States Air Force - USAF

En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. In low visibility, the airplane hit the slope of a mountain located four miles west of Raton. The aircraft was destroyed and all ten crew members were killed. Crew: Walter C. Williams, Melvin R. Truman, James L. Reidinger, Martin L. Murray, Floyd C. Melton Jr., Frank M. Kackstetter, James R. Irby, Carl A. Hill, Arthur L. Gaudreault, Melvin C. Brock.

Institut Géographique National

En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with turbulences. The aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in an open field. All five crew members were killed. It was reported that the pilot may have lost the control of the aircraft when the cargo shifted while flying in severe turbulences.

United States Air Force - USAF

Crashed on final approach to Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Four crew members were rescued while seven others were killed.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was involved in a SAR mission following the crash of a USAF C-47 on December 9. In unknown circumstances, the B-17 crash landed in an icecap. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and abandoned on site, all six crew members were rescued by the crew of a ski equipped C-47 on December 27, 1948.

Portuguese Air Force - Aeronáutica Militar

After touchdown, the four engine aircraft overran and collided with a rocky wall. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

United States Air Force - USAF

The aircraft left Istres-Le Tubé Airbase in the morning to try to locate an USAF C-47 that disappeared in the region three days earlier. In fact, this C-47 registered 44-76443 crashed on the Cheval Blanc mountain, killing all 11 occupants. Around noon, the crew of the B-17 localized the wreckage of the C-47 on the east slope of the mountain and while flying to close from the terrain, the aircraft went out of control, maybe due to downdraft, and hit the north slope of the same mountain, near the village of Chanolles. The aircraft was destroyed on impact and eight of the ten occupants were killed. Two crew members, among them a pilot, survived. The pilot decided to leave the area to find help but his dead body was found in an isolated area on March 25, 1948. The only survivor, Sgt Angelo La Salle, was rescued few hours later.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

While approaching the Hawaiian coast of Oahu Island on a flight from Tokyo, the crew encountered a fuel exhaustion and was forced to ditch the aircraft about 60 miles west of Hickam Field where it should land. Ten people were rescued while three others were killed, among them George Acheson, personal advisor of General McArthur and President of the Allied Council in Japan.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

At 1430LT on 2nd January 1947 an SB-17 belonging to 1386th AAF Base Unit Air Sea Rescue took off from Keflavik airfield, Iceland on a local flight expected to last 2 to 3 hours, however approx 1 hour after leaving the field a snow storm developed and the crew now on instruments and were given instructions by ATC to fly to Prestwick as the visibility at Keflavik was too bad, and so a flight plan was arranged and radioed to the pilot. Expecting this to be just a local flight, the navigator was without proper charts, they had no Wireless Op on board, and little fuel for any marginal error. Drift readings were taken and bearings using the astro compass and radio compass were taken, though stronger than forecast headwinds slowed the aircraft down and it took much longer to reach their turning over Scotland, also heavy cloud hindered any visual contact, but eventually an island, that of Shetland was spotted and it was estimated that they should reach the Scottish mainland within 30 minutes, however, as they continued past their ETA, no land was sited and the Navigator suggested they do a 180 degree turn and head back to the Island, this they did and back over Shetland at approx midnight, they flew a few miles off shore, jettisoned the lifeboat, circled a number of times firing off flares, then with an estimated guess of less than an hours fuel left,the pilot gave the order to abandon the aircraft, then putting it on a SW course on autopilot, he left the aircraft himself. Three of the crew landed on the Shetland mainland itself, one came down on a tiny island in Braewick Voe, and another landed in the sea and struggled to unhitch his chute, but fortunately the wind blew him towards the shore. After a long night with the Co-Pilot suffering a sprained knee, and the Pilot suffering exposure, all were eventually found and taken to hospital where they were given hot drinks and blankets, and treated for their injuries. The Fortress went down in the sea somewhere to the West of the Shetland mainland at a location yet to be discovered. Maybe one day a fishing boat will pull up a piece of wreckage identified as coming off a Flying Fortress and the last resting place of 44-83771 will be known. Crew (1386 BU): 1/Lt W. E. Dee, pilot, 1/Lt M. H. Craven Jr., copilot, 1/Lt W. L. Pilcher, navigator, H. E. Shields, flight engineer, R. M. Gessert, flight engineer. Source: http://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=99049