Boeing B-29 Superfortress

United States Air Force - USAF

The aircraft, a trainer conversion of a B-29 four engine bomber, and its crew were with the 5040th Radar Evaluation Squadron based at Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage. On this day, they were on a routine radar-calibration training mission that was to last about 10 hours. Flying south down the Susitna Valley in bad weather, however, they strayed 27 miles off course into the Talkeetna Mountains. At 1822LT, the aircraft crashed into an unnamed glacier at an altitude of 5,600 feet and some 39 miles southeast of Talkeetna, just northeast of the Hatcher Pass. Six crew were killed while four others were injured. Crew: Major Robert A. Butler, † Captain Richard O. Seaman, † Captain Erwin Stolfich, † Captain Edward A. Valiant, † 1st Lieutenant William J. Schreffler, † Airman Basic James R. Roberson, † Staff Sergeant Calvin K. Campbell, Staff Sergeant Robert J. McMurray, Technical Sergeant Manuel Garza, 1st Lieutenant Claire W. Johnson. Thanks to Adam Elliott for his wonderful website and history: http://adamspictureblog.blogspot.ch/2013/02/bomber-glacier.html

United States Air Force - USAF

The Boeing KB-29P Superfortress left RAF Sculthorpe on a training mission to south of France. While cruising at an altitude of 15,000 feet in low visibility due to poor weather conditions, the airplane struck another USAF Boeing KB-29P Superfortress that was flying in front of it. The first KB-29, registered 44-69846, was carrying a crew of ten and lost speed for undetermined reason. Following the collision, both airplanes went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located in Morigny, about 25 km south of Saint-Lô. On the ten crew members aboard 44-69846, one survived. On board 44-83906, five crew survived while four others were killed. It appears that some of the survivors were able to bail out prior to impact. Among those killed were M/Sgt. Lawrence M. Grigory, A2c Arthur B. Kosier and A3c Franklin D. Schweigert.

United States Air Force - USAF

The Boeing KB-29P Superfortress left RAF Sculthorpe on a training mission to south of France. While cruising at an altitude of 15,000 feet in low visibility due to poor weather conditions, the airplane lost speed and was struck by a second USAF Boeing KB-29P Superfortress registered 44-83906 that was carrying a crew of nine. Both airplanes went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located in Morigny, about 25 km south of Saint-Lô. On the ten crew members, one survived. On board the second aircraft, five crew survived while four others were killed. It appears that some of the survivors were able to bail out prior to impact.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was completing a night training mission at Bergstrom AFB. On final approach, the airplane was too low and crashed in flames short of runway. Four crew members were rescued while five others were killed. Few hours later, one of the survivor died from his injuries. Those killed were: Lt Ronald Rosetti, Lt Robert E. Smith, Sgt Edward Clifford Clemmons, Sgt Thomas Salazar, A2c Michael Bryan McIntosh, Lt Don Anderson Berg.

United States Air Force - USAF

Nineteen minutes after his departure from Elmendorf AFB, while cruising at an altitude of 4,200 feet, the crew contacted ATC when the airplane struck Mt Bald located about 11 miles east of Talkeetna. As the airplane was fully loaded with fuel, a huge explosion occurred on impact. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight crew members were killed. Crew (508th Air Refueling Squadron): 1st Lt Thomas H. Patton, pilot, 2nd Lt James D. Dellinger, copilot, 1st Lt Lionel E. Reid, navigator, 1st Lt Luther G. Lamm, M/Sgt Otto D. McAdams, T/Sgt Thurman C. Rainer, S/Sgt John B. Pyland, A2c William P. Hodgson.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was performing a flight from RAF Molesworth, Cambridgeshire, to Stuttgart. While approaching Stuttgart-Echterdingen Airport by night, the crew was contacted by ATC and rerouted to Fürstenfeldbruck Airbase near Munich due to insufficient visibility caused by foggy conditions. Few minutes later, while cruising at low height, the airplane hit the slope of Mt Teckberg located about 1,5 km east of Owen. All ten crew members were killed.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was engaged in a local training sortie out from Kadena AFB. After completing low-level maneuvers, the crew was trying to get height when, flying in clouds, the airplane struck a hill located 5 km southeast of Naha. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all ten crew members were killed. Crew (581st Air Resupply Group): Victor C. Marston 9.

United States Air Force - USAF

Shortly after takeoff from Nagoya-Komaki Airport, while on a refueling mission, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. Six crew members were able to bail out before the airplane crashed in a huge explosion about 25 km southwest of the airport. The five crewmen who remained in the aircraft were killed.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was performing a flight from Sioux City to Ogden-Hill AFB, Utah. Upon arrival, the pilots mistook Ogden-Hinckley Municipal Airport for the nearly Ogden-Hill Airbase. After touchdown on a too short runway for this kind of aircraft, the heavy bomber overran, hit a 10-foot wide drainage ditch, crossed a highway and came to rest in flames. A crew member, James A. Gerwick, was killed, while six other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

United States Air Force - USAF

The heavy bomber left Andersen AFB at 0605LT on its way back to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, via Kwajalein Island. Shortly after takeoff, the engine number two failed. The crew was able to shot it down and feathered the propeller. On final approach to runway 07R, after passing through the last cloud layer, the pilot-in-command decided to make a go around and following a circuit before starting a second approach few minutes later. While struggling to land the second time, he turned the B-29 into the feathered propeller at too steep of an angle, with the landing gear down, and flaps retracted which caused the bomber to lose lift and control. The aircraft banked 80° to the left and crashed in a near vertical position onto several houses located short of runway. Among the 16 occupants, all four crew members and five passengers were killed, seven others were injured. On the ground, ten people were killed, among them six kids and two entire families. Crew: 1st Lt Henry G. Oetgen, pilot, † 1st Lt Sophus Eddie Larsen, copilot, † 1st Lt Dominick J. Christopher, navigator, † T/Sgt John M. Reilly, flight engineer, † 1st Lt Howard L. DeBoer, bombardier, † S/Sgt Homer A. Pickrell, gunner, † T/Sgt Fred Leard, † A3c Donald J. Wagner, † A2c Francis L. Murray, † 1st Lt Jack Patton, A2c Robert L. Jensen, A1c Donald C. Van Doren, A1c William J. Backman, A2c Nelson H. Graham, A2c Roberto Duran, A2c Walter R. Newby. Those killed on the ground were: Lt Col Benjamin L. Mills, his wife Agnes, and his three daughters Margaret 9, Helen 5, and Martha 2, Maj Gerald A. Orken, his wife Shirley, his daughter Vivian 5, and son Steven 3, Bonnie Kimball, 11, daughter of Cpt Stanley J. Kimball. Source: http://www.andersen.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/638565/60th-anniversary-of-the-worst-peacetime-accident-at-andersen/

United States Air Force - USAF

While returning from a tactical mission, the airplane crashed on final approach to Pohang Airport, killing all 13 crew members. It was reported that the crew encountered poor weather conditions at recovery airfield and that the aircraft was low of fuel at the time of the accident. Crew: A2c Donald L. Abney, Lt Col Edward E. Campbell, A1c Earl A. Davis, A2c John G. De Lancy, A2c Edward J. Fleming, 1st Lt Ralph L. Harris, A1c Percy J. Maples, Cpt Charles F. McGuire, 1st Lt Robert L. Person, A1c James C. Thomas, 1st Lt Clayton W. Vandarwarka, Walker, A2c Kenneth E. Wright.

United States Air Force - USAF

A coupling and fully-towed flight was accomplished using the right-handed EF-84B, but no electrical power was received from the B-29. The right hand fighter uncoupled and the left hand fighter coupled with the B-29 and was retracted in the fully-locked towing position. The cockpit panel light indicated that electrical power was available from the B-29, and as soon as everything was trimmed and stabilized and the automatic flight control system was activated momentarily from the fighter. This resulted in a violent pitching motion of the EF-84B causing it to flip up and inward into the B-29. The B-29 outer wing panel crumpled and struck the main B-29 wing spar, shearing off the F-84 nose section before the two aircraft separated. As Bud Anderson flew in formation on the right side of the Superfortress, John Davis brought the left-hand EF-84D into position and linked wingtips with the EB-29A. He transmitted, "Autopilot coming on" and then switched the autopilot on. It commanded hard nose-up elevator. Davis' Thunderjet rolled rapidly to the right onto the outer wing panel of the Superfortress. As the fighter rotated about the wing tip of the bomber, the explosive bolts fired to jettison the Thunderjet, but not in time to prevent the collision between the planes. The left wing of the EB-29A failed outboard of the engines. The nose of the EF-84D broke away from the rest of the airplane. B-29 went into steep spiral and crashed into Peconic Bay, Long Island and the F-84 crashed shortly thereafter. John Davis and five crew members aboard the EB-29A were killed in the accident. The other fighter, having unhooked, presumably landed safely. The project 'Tip Tow' was immediately cancelled. Source: http://www.air-and-space.com/Wing Tip Coupling B-29 F-84.htm http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_4.html

United States Air Force - USAF

Shortly after takeoff from Lajes AFB, while in initial climb, the heavy bomber lost height and crashed one mile south of the airfield. Six crew members were killed while nine others were injured, some of them seriously. Crew: Maj Hugh S. Abcock Jr., † Cpt Louis Carl Bowen, † A1c Jimmie R. Cherry, † T/Sgt Issac M. Daniel, † S/Sgt. Wilmer R. Devlin, † 1st Lt Roy Wesley Wallace, † 1st Lt William R. Sundermann, 1st Lt William J. Pederson, A2c Fred W. Maschner, A1c Charles M. Caillouett Jr., A2c Daniel L. Browder, 1st Lt Thomas W. Minter, S/Sgt Yulee Mickler, A2c Arthur L. Turk Jr., A2c James F. Locklin.

United States Air Force - USAF

Captain Francis Quinn and 1st Lt Robert Errico and a crew of eight took off in SB-29-70BW, 44-69982 from Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland at 12:10 on the morning of March 18, 1953 to search for Convair RB-36H-25, 51-13721. 44-69982 was assigned to the 52nd Air Rescue Squadron of the 6th Air Rescue Group. The SB-29 was modified for the search and rescue role. It carried a 40 ft.aluminum boat under the bomb bay. The boat could be dropped by parachute. It had a 4-cylinder engine and rations for a number of days. It had an inflatable shelter at each end, and a tarpaulin could be zipped into place between the shelters to completely cover any occupants. A search radar was installed in place of the lower forward gun turret. The SB-29 scouted the location of the RB-36H crash and determined that there were no survivors. It returned to Harmon AFB at 7:45 P.M. There were broken clouds at 2,700 feet and and a solid overcast at 5,000 feet. Harmon tower advised Captain Quinn to turn to a heading of 180 degrees and handed him over to GCA. T Sgt. Robert Burgoon was the GCA operator on duty that evening. Captain Quinn reported that he was reading the GCA radio "five-by-five". T Sgt. Burgoon instructed him to descend from 4,000 feet to 3,000 feet and maintain a heading of 180 degrees. T Sgt. Burgoon read off the emergency procedure and current weather to Captain Quinn. Quinn acknowledged those transmissions, but when Burgoon read off the standard rate of turn, a different SB-29 crew member responded over the radio. When the SB-29 appeared on the GCA radar scope about seven miles from Harmon AFB, it was flying on a heading of 220 degrees. T Sgt. Burgoon instructed Captain Quinn to turn right to a heading of 30 degrees to avoid losing the Superfortress' radar return in the ground clutter during a left-hand turn. Quinn read back the heading as 300 degrees. Burgoon repeated that the proper heading was 30 degrees. Quinn read back something that Burgoon was not able to understand, so he reiterated his command to turn right to a heading of 30 degrees yet again. Quinn stated that he was initiating a left turn to 30 degrees, and Burgoon repeated that the turn was to be made to the right. Captain Quinn started his right turn and the SB-29 disappeared into the blind spot of the GCA radar. When the Superfortress appeared on radar again about 11 miles from the base, it was inbound on the proper heading of 30 degrees. T Sgt. Burgoon read off the runway condition, landing runway, and braking action to Captain Quinn, but received no reply. He requested acknowledgement of his transmission twice with no response from Quinn. Burgoon commanded Quinn to turn to a heading of 300 degrees to determine whether he was still receiving the GCA transmissions. Burgoon repeated the command twice but received no response from the Superfortress, and it continued on a heading of 30 degrees. The SB-29 was over St. George's Bay about ten miles from the base on a bearing of 240 degrees when it disappeared from the radar scope at 7:51 P.M. It did not get lost in ground clutter. It just disappeared from a location where it should have continued to be visible. On one pass the blip was there, on the next pass it was gone. T Sgt. Burgoon made several calls to the SB-29 in the blind, but no further transmissions were received from it. Pilot Captain Francis Quinn, Co-pilot 1st Lt Robert Errico, Navigator Captain William Roy, Navigator 1st Lt Rodger Null, A/3c James Coggins, A/3c Sammy Jones, A/2c Michael Kerr, S/Sgt David Kimbrough, A/1c David Rash, A/1c Robert Montgomery were lost in the crash. At 8:15, an Air Force rescue vessel was dispatched to the area where the radar return had disappeared. De Havilland of Canada L-20 Beaver, 51-16490 took off at 8:44 to search for any signs of survivors at the crash site. Sikorsky H-5G Dragonfly helicopter, 48-553 took off to conduct a search at 8:46. It was going on midnight when three more vessels joined the search. An oxygen tank from the SB-29 was spotted floating in St. George's Bay at 5:09 the next morning. Search teams found fuel cells, the radio operator's table, air scoop dust covers, hydraulic fluid, an oxygen tank, the navigator's brief case, a partially inflated six-man life raft, and other small debris from the SB-29. The few pieces of structure that were recovered showed evidence that the SB-29 had suffered major damage when it impacted the water. A total of fifty-three pieces of debris were recovered during the first day of searching. A buoy was placed at the oil slick where the debris was found. Two L-20 Beavers searched the bay all day on March 19th. The local countryside was scoured for witnesses. The H-5 Dragonfly was used to visit residences along the shoreline of the bay that were otherwise inaccessible. Civilian John Walters of Kings Head reported that he heard a loud explosion and saw a bright flash, "kinda like a red flame" about two to three miles offshore about 7:45 that evening. His was considered to be the most reliable eyewitness account. The Dragonfly was flown to the location where the SB-29 had disappeared from radar. It made a series of descents and ascents. It was noted that it disappeared from the radar as it descended through about 800 feet. Dragging and diving operations began on March 20. Forty square miles of ocean floor were dragged. Divers made sixty-one dives with negative results. The divers and dragging gear were unable to search below a depth of 200 feet. The U.S.S. Salvager was dispatched from Norfolk, Virginia to search the bay with SONAR equipment. It arrived at the station on March 27, but it did not have suitable gear for locating the wreckage. UOL equipment and personnel arrived on April 5 and started searching for the SB-29 wreck on April 6. The UOL equipment was disabled by contact with rocks on the bottom of the bay on April 9. The main wreckage of SB-29, 44-69982 and the bodies of her crew were never found. Source: http://www.air-and-space.com/b-36 wrecks.htm#51-13721

United States Air Force - USAF

While on a night bombing mission, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Soviet AF MiG-15 fighter and crashed about 20 km south of Pyongyang. Five crew members were rescued and became POW while nine others were killed. Crew: A2c Gerald D. Abrahamson, 1st Lt Gilbert L. Ashley Jr., † 1st Lt Dewey R. Henry, † A2c Hidemaro S. Ishida, Sgt Lee H. Miller, A2c James J. O'Meara Jr., † 1st Lt Arthur R. Olsen, † A2c James D. Pope, † A2c Edward A. Schwab, † 2nd Lt John P. Shaddick III, † A3c Frank J. Stevenson, 2nd Lt Dewey Stopa, † 1st Lt Harold P. Turner, † A2c Robert L. Weinbrandt.

United States Air Force - USAF

En route, the heavy bomber was attacked by Major Anatoly Karelin, pilot of a Soviet AF MiG-15 fighter. Ten crew members were able to bail out before the aircraft crashed. A crew member was rescued while three others were killed in the crash. Those killed were: M/Sgt Cleo A. Brown, 1st Lt Edward R. Francis, 1st Lt Ralph I. Phy.

United States Air Force - USAF

Assigned to the 581st Air Resupply and Communications Wing, Kadena AB, Okinawa (91st SRS), was shot down by MiG's during a leaflet dropping mission on January 13, 1953. One of the most sensational missions of the 581st in Korea occurred on 12 January 1953, when a 581st ARC B-29 (tail number 44-62217) on its first leaflet drop mission with the 581st ARC Wing Commander, (as well as the operations commander of the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing) on board, was shot down on their last leaflet target just south of the Yalu River in far northern Korea near the Chinese town of Antung. At the time, Russian fighter squadrons, some equipped for night flying, were supporting and supplying the Chinese with airpower, including the Russian-made MiG-15 Fagot. Twelve Russian MiG-15s from the 351st (and perhaps the 535th) Fighter Air Regiments (IAP) intercepted a lone Superfortress of the 581st ARCW south of the Yalu River, about 15 miles from the Chinese border. The MiGs were scrambled and vectored to the bomber's location by Russian radar-controlled searchlight units stationed near Antung, China. The searchlights illuminated the unarmed Superfortress and several MiGs engaged the bomber. Russian MiG pilot of the 351st IAP was credited with the intercept and downing of the B-29. Although US sources believe the B-29 was flying in North Korean airspace at the time of its mayday call, a belief that is strongly disputed by the Chinese and Russian authorities, crew members who bailed and landed believe they were in North Korean territory. Upon capture, the crew was rounded up, blindfolded and put aboard trucks, subsequently transported into China and later charged as CIA spies (the Chinese subsequently learned of the CIA connection with the ARCW units). During the highly publicized Chinese trial in Peking in October 1954, the surviving crew members, along with captured CIA agents, who were imprisoned two years earlier after they had been shot down while attempting to pick up their Chinese double agent, were given prison sentences ranging from 5 years to life. Not until 4 August 1955, two years after the Korean War Armistice, were the surviving crew members released from Chinese prison. These crew members held the distinction of being the longest held POW USAF captives of the war. Crew: Col John K. Arnold Jr., Maj William E. Baumer, A2c Harry M. Benjamin Jr., T/Sgt Howard W. Brown, 1st Lt Wallace L. Brown, Cpt John W. Buck, A1c Alvin D. Hart Jr., † A1c Steve E. Kiba, Cpt Elmer F. Llewellyn, A1c Daniel C. Schmidt, A2c John W. Thompson III, Cpt Eugene J. Vaadi, 1st Lt Paul E. Van Voorhis, † 1st Lt Henry D. Weese. † Source: http://www.joebaugher.com

United States Air Force - USAF

The aircraft was on a bombing mission over the Anju Marshaling Yard when it was hit by enemy fire from MiG-15's immediately prior to bombs away. After bombs away and while still under attack, the aircraft started losing altitude. After crossing the Taedong River by Chinnampo, the aircraft commander reported number three engine on fire. Twelve of thirteen members of the crew bailed out. The burning B-29 flew toward friendly lines while USAF Fighter Jets followed it, however, the B-29 continued to descend until it hit the side of a mountain and exploded. The crew killed was Captain Arthur Heise. Source: http://www.joebaugher.com

United States Air Force - USAF

Shot down by the pilots of Soviet AF MiG-15 and crashed about 40 km north of Pyongyang. It is believed that seven crew members were killed while five others became POW. Crew: 1st Lt Harold Copland, M/Sgt Patrick M. Differ, † 1st Lt Robert R. Foster, † 2nd Lt David T. Heer, † A1c Rudolf Nikles, † A2c Damian F. O'Toole, † 1st Lt Otho A. Orr, 1st Lt Harry M. Rehm, † A2c Daryl E. Rodney, † A2c Donald G. Swalls, A2c Leland H. Van Slyke, 1st Lt Paul I. Wilcox.

United States Air Force - USAF

Following a bombing mission over North Korea, the heavy bomber was returning to its base in Kadena when it was attacked by few Soviet AF MiG-15. Out of control, the aircraft went into a dive and two occupants were able to bail out before it crashed into the sea about eight km north of the Ch'o-do Island. Twelve crew members were killed and two others were rescued. Crew: 1st Lt Robert J. Bird, † T/Sgt Morton H. Jensen, † Maj Kassel M. Keene, † A2c Robert J. McLoughlin, † A2c James L. Nichols, † 1st Lt James K. Peck, † A1c James H. Porter, † Maj William F. Sawyer, 2nd Lt Myron F. Sestak, † 1st Lt Beverly A. Swingle, † S/Sgt Raymond Thompson, † M/Sgt Horace N. Tiller, † S/Sgt William H. Whitman, † 1st Lt Allan R. Winchester.

United States Air Force - USAF

While overflying North Korea by night on a bombing mission, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Soviet AF MiG-15 fighter (pilot Major Anatoly Karelin). The heavy bomber went out of control and into a dive during which three crew members were able to bail out. They were found alive a day later and became POW. All nine other occupants were killed in the crash. Crew: 1st Lt Emmett O. Evans, † 1st Lt James W. Fleming Jr., † Cpt Fred H. Garrison, † A1c Franklin H. Hall, T/Sgt Keith E. Hammon, † 1st Lt Charles M. Hill Jr., S/Sgt Wayne F. Jensen, † A1c Robert P. Kelleher, † 1st Lt Charles F. Kirk, † A1c Clyde E. Schluter, A2c Warren W. Schmitt, † Cpt Norman W. Schneidt, †

United States Air Force - USAF

While approaching Kadena AFB, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea about 14,5 km northwest of the airbase. Intensive SAR operations were conducted and three crew members were rescued while 11 others were killed. Crew: Cpt Donald L. Adams, † 2nd Lt Michael Bochnovic, † 1st Lt Gordon N. Froisness, † Cpt Robert G. Harvey, † 2nd Lt John H. Haun, † A2c Robert Q. Hopkins, † 1st Lt James E. Knox, A1c Edward B. Lemaster III, A2c Harry T. Peoples Jr., † 1st Lt Robert F. Phalen, † A2c Charles H. Rees, A1c Jimmy C. Sides, † M/Sgt Marvin E. Sleppy, † A2c Donald H. Wilson. †

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew left Travis AFB on a special mission consisting of an aerial attack of the city of Portland. Two pilots on board a Lockheed F-94 Starfire registered 49-2574 left McChord AFB to assist the bomber in this mission. In flight, while engaged in a gunnery mission, both aircraft collided. It is believed that during one of the mock passes at the bomber, the fighter struck the outer wing of the B-29. While the crew of the Starfire was able to complete an emergency landing at Aurora Airport, the heavy bomber went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a field. All 11 crew members were killed. Crew: Sgt Billy Edward Butler, Cpt William E. Cullen, A1c Glen P. Daily, Cpt Parker A. Goodall, Maj Robert W. Head, Lt Orval L. Huffman, Maj Robert Cleveland Jobe, S/Sgt Clarence Krohn, A2c Charles E. Wovries 2.

United States Air Force - USAF

The heavy bomber left Kadena AFB on a bombing mission over North Korea. En route, the crew encountered severe icing conditions and the aircraft went of control and crashed in a mountainous area located about 34 km southwest of Gangneung. A crew member was rescued while 11 other were killed. Crew: 2nd Lt Merle T. Ayers, † 1st Lt John L. Dreese, † M/Sgt Alphonse Gerrato Jr., M/Sgt Ralph R. Heath, † 1st Lt Raymond B. Houston, † A2c George D. Jones Jr., † A2c Jimmie L. Kahanek, † A2c James McCormick, † A1c Richard T. Michel, † Cpt John L. Roberts, † Maj Earl J. Sanders Jr., † A2c Amos C. Temples. †

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew left Kadena AFB on a bombing mission over the Sup'ung Dam (Sui-ho Hydroelectric Plant) located at the border between China and North Korea. While approaching the target, the heavy bomber was shot down by the pilot of a Soviet AF MiG-15 and crashed near the city of Supung. A crew member was rescued and became POW while 11 other occupants were killed. Crew: 1st Lt Fred E. Bloesch, † M/Sgt Nelson M. Brown, † A1c Jimmie R. Hobday, † 1st Lt Henry B. Kelly, † A1c James W. Kelly, † A1c James R. Le Baron, † Cpt James A. Lowe Jr., † A1c Fred Parker Jr., 1st Lt Spiro J. Peters, † 1st Lt William K. Phillis, † 1st Lt Ted G. Royer, † A1c James O. Trosclair. †

United States Air Force - USAF

An engine failed en route, forcing the crew to bail out. The airplane crashed in a mountainous area located about four miles northeast of Philipsburg and was destroyed upon impact. All 12 occupants were rescued.

United States Air Force - USAF

On final approach to Daegu Airport, the pilot-in-command decided to make a go around when the heavy bomber went out of control and crashed in a mountainous area located 6 km northeast of the airfield. All 12 crew members were killed. Crew: Cpt Bernard E. Barnes, 1st Lt John H. Buckley, A2c Donald H. Buss, 2nd Lt William F. Hill, M/Sgt William D. King, 1st Lt Victor A. Koehler, A2c John W. Maslin, Cpt Robert W. McAnelly, A2c John G. McMann, A2c James C. Prasnikar, Maj Hilliard M. Roper, A1c Glen L. Slavicek.

United States Air Force - USAF

After takeoff from Yokota AFB, while climbing to a height of 150 feet, the engine number four caught fire. The airplane continued to climb to 500 feet when the engine number two caught fire as well. At a height of 600 feet, two explosions occurred in the engine number two and at a height of 650 feet, nine crew members bailed out. The airplane stalled and crashed in flames about 10 km from the airbase. Three crew members were killed while all crew who bailed out were rescued.

United States Air Force - USAF

En route, an engine caught fire. Shortly later, the heavy bomber exploded in the air and crashed, killing all 13 crew members. Crew: 1St Lt Forrest B. Angstman, Cpt Leroy E. Aschenbrenner, Cpt Osbaldo Garza, T/Sgt Leroy A. Haney, A2c Lloyd W. Ingrim, A2c Michael L. Jacobs, Cpt David Meredith, A2c David E. Miles, Cpt Paul C. Ross, A2c Clifton E. Scites, A2c Charles O. Spain, T/Sgt Keith D. Thomas, A2c Manuel J. Yduarte Jr.

United States Air Force - USAF

While cruising at an altitude of 7,200 meters, the heavy bomber was attacked by the pilot of a Soviet AF MiG-15. The airplane went out of control and dove into the ground. During the dive, the aircraft partially disintegrated in the air and lost its four engines before crashing in a field. Two crew members were killed while 11 others were injured and taken POW. Crew killed were: A1c Richard L. Albright, A1c Clifford H. Mast.

United States Air Force - USAF

The aircraft was shot down by Soviet pilot Studilin in the region of Seoncheon while completing a bombing mission on a railroad bridge at Gwaksan, North Korea. The Soviet aircraft attacked 'Miss Jackie' four times. The first attack was unsuccessful due to distance. On the second attack the engine on the left wing caught fire. After the fourth attack an engine on the right wing caught fire. Then the heavy bomber went out of control and crashed into the sea about 15-20 kilometers southeast of the Tetsyuzan peninsula. All 14 crew members were killed. Crew: A2c Douglas Earl Attinger, A1c Buddy Joe Bonney, Cpt Marvin Jr. Cessna, 1Lt William Sidney Earns, S/Sgt John Harrison Errington, A1c John Francis Flaherty, 1Lt Richard Melvin Friedman, Maj George Allen Hadley, A1c Carl August Jenkins, 1Lt Wilbur Eugene Lewis, 1Lt John Richard Miller, 1Lt Preston Skinner, A2c Westervelt Charles Stagg Jr., S/Sgt Elwood John Thompson.

United States Air Force - USAF

While on a bombing mission over Gwaksan, the heavy bomber was shot down by the Soviet pilot Anatoly Karelin and crashed near Sinmi-do Island. A crew member survived and became POW while 12 other occupants were killed. Crew: 1Lt John Howard Adams, † A1c Edgar Foy Barrington, † 1Lt Robert Black Baumer, † Cpt. Anton Brom Jr., S/Sgt William Alfred Canning, † Cpt Louis Paul Gorrell, † 1Lt Harold Ray Holmes, † 1Lt Robert Edward Hudson, † A2c Paul Kenneth Kellstrom, † 1Lt David Mandell, † A2c Thomas J. Pettit, † A1c Elbert Josephus Reid Jr., † A2c Robert Lewis Ross. †

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was engaged in a training sortie from March AFB when the heavy bomber collided in unclear circumstances with a USN Vought F4U-4 Corsair registered 81218 from VMA-251 flying out from MCAS El Toro. The 4 plane Corsair formation was on a GCI and Camera Gunnery flight. Apparently they were asked by the B-29s to make head on gunnery passes. The first three Corsairs did so, but the fourth, piloted by 2nd Lt Joe K. Jensen did not. Following the collision, both aircraft crashed into the Pacific Ocean about 30 miles west of Oceanside. The pilot of the Corsair was killed as well as 11 crew members from the Superfortress, six other have been rescued.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was engaged in a low level target exercice when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the gulf of Mexico, about 27 miles west-northwest of Tarpon Springs. Seven crew members were killed while seven others were rescued.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was returning to his base at McClellan AFB after a 19 hours mission consisting of weather reports. On final approach, a propeller went into reverse. The airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion about three miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 10 crew members were killed. Crew: Maj Bruce Acebedo, S/Sgt Carlton J. Fose, M/Sgt Edwin M. Fultz, Cpt Guilford A. Hopkins, S/Sgt. Elbert E. King, Cpt Robert L. Kizer, 2nd Lt August I. Lam, S/Sgt Hayden C. Schulz, T/Sgt George R. Shook, Cpt Leonard B. Winstead.

United States Air Force - USAF

An unexpected situation occurred during a night training mission over Kansas. The captain ordered his crew to bail out and attempted to make an emergency landing when he lost control of the heavy bomber that crashed in a huge explosion in a field located about 5,5 miles west of Onaga. The pilot was killed as well as a second crew member whose parachute failed to open. All ten other crew members were found alive. Those killed were A2c Charles Filittoni, right gunner, and Lt Col Thomas Stanley Robert, pilot.

United States Air Force - USAF

En route, the engine number one and four failed. All 11 crew members decided to bail out and abandoned the heavy bomber that dove into the ground and crashed about 5 km north of Kaesong. All 11 crew members were found alive while the aircraft was destroyed.

United States Air Force - USAF

Four minutes after takeoff from Yokota AFB, while climbing, the heavy bomber hit the slope of a mountain located near the village of Saimon, about 10 km northwest of the airbase. Two crew members were rescued while nine others were killed. Crew: Cpl Sherley B. Ardoin, † Cpl Norman F. Cline, 2nd Lt William F. Evert, † T/Sgt Charles R. Fitzwater, † 1st Lt Earl H. Lemons, † S/Sgt Wayne L. Marchand, † Cpl Carrol L. Rackley, † 2nd Lt Harold G. Richards, † 1st Lt Norbert L. Robie, † Sgt James H. Sample, 1st Lt John G. Stevens. †

United States Air Force - USAF

At 1350 CST, 12 March 1952, two B-29 aircraft, AF No. 44-87774 and No. 44-62223, both assigned to Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, were involved in a mid-air collision approximately 19 miles north of Randolph Air Force Base. Results of the collision were such that the tail section of the rammed aircraft, No. 44-62223, separated from the fuselage, rendering this aircraft uncontrollable. Portions of the ramming aircraft, No. 44-87774, found along the flight path following the collision, indicated a strong possibility that all personnel in the forward section of this aircraft were incapacitated. Both aircraft crashed with all personnel aboard. Crew on board 44-87774 were: M/Sgt Clyde L. Arnold, instructor engineer, Cpl Wallace L. Bertog, flight engineer, Pfc Donald L. Jameson, student gunner, 1st Lt Lester H. Johnson, pilot, Pvt Sanford L. "Sandy" Kerner, student gunner, Maj Robert W. Padgett, student aircraft commander, Pfc William E. Reynolds, student gunner, 1st Lt Dale W. Scott, instructor pilot. Crew on board 44-62223 were: Pfc Arthur L. Hall, student gunner, M/Sgt Ward W. Hovis, flight engineer, Cpl Patrick H. Martin, instructor gunner, M/Sgt Harrell B. Meyers, instructor engineer, 1st Lt Robert D. Neu, student aircraft commander, Cpt Donald L. Rottier, instructor pilot, 1st Lt Moses G. Seals, pilot. Source: http://www.koreanwar-educator.org/

United States Air Force - USAF

At 1350 CST, 12 March 1952, two B-29 aircraft, AF No. 44-87774 and No. 44-62223, both assigned to Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, were involved in a mid-air collision approximately 19 miles north of Randolph Air Force Base. Results of the collision were such that the tail section of the rammed aircraft, No. 44-62223, separated from the fuselage, rendering this aircraft uncontrollable. Portions of the ramming aircraft, No. 44-87774, found along the flight path following the collision, indicated a strong possibility that all personnel in the forward section of this aircraft were incapacitated. Both aircraft crashed with all personnel aboard. Crew on board 44-87774 were: M/Sgt Clyde L. Arnold, instructor engineer, Cpl Wallace L. Bertog, flight engineer, Pfc Donald L. Jameson, student gunner, 1st Lt Lester H. Johnson, pilot, Pvt Sanford L. "Sandy" Kerner, student gunner, Maj Robert W. Padgett, student aircraft commander, Pfc William E. Reynolds, student gunner, 1st Lt Dale W. Scott, instructor pilot. Crew on board 44-62223 were: Pfc Arthur L. Hall, student gunner, M/Sgt Ward W. Hovis, flight engineer, Cpl Patrick H. Martin, instructor gunner, M/Sgt Harrell B. Meyers, instructor engineer, 1st Lt Robert D. Neu, student aircraft commander, Cpt Donald L. Rottier, instructor pilot, 1st Lt Moses G. Seals, pilot. Source: http://www.koreanwar-educator.org/

United States Air Force - USAF

En route, the airplane suffered engine problems and one of them caught fire. Apparently, seven crew members were able to bail out and were later rescued while five others were killed when the heavy bomber crashed into the sea few km west of Kaesong. Crew: S/Sgt Thomas C. Baker, † Cpt Osborne T. Carlisle, † 1st Lt James W. Carney, A2C Willard M. Denn, † 1st Lt Carl G. Happ Jr., † Sgt James W. Hendricks, Sgt Theodore G. Lincoln, Cpt Joseph R. Manion, 1st Lt William R. Mowder, 2nd Lt Lawrence A. Nelson, † Sgt Lloyd D. Smith, S/Sgt Herbert Vonderkall.

United States Air Force - USAF

Shortly after takeoff from Yokota AFB, while climbing in snow falls, the heavy bomber went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion on several houses located about 5 km northwest of the airfield. All 13 crew members and five people on the ground were killed. Crew: Col John Grable, pilot, 2nd Lt Richard Johnson, pilot, Cpt Robert Belcher, navigator, T/Sgt Robert Crutchfield, flight engineer, 1st Lt Allen Frisbee Baker, bombardier, Sgt Edward Caron, gunner, Cpl Edward Ebehart, gunner, Sgt Neal Heffernan, gunner, 1st Lt Robert Henry, Cpl Owen J. Imsdahl, Cpl Walter Setser, Maj Daniel D. Smith Jr., M/Sgt Howard Thompson.

United States Air Force - USAF

The heavy bomber left Kadena AFB at the end of the day on a bombing mission to Korea. Around 2154LT, the last radio contact was recorded while the aircraft was cruising about 100 miles north of its departure point. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. Crew: Cpt Robert H. Adams, 1st Charles E. Allen Jr., 2nd Lt Richard G. Bristol, Cpt Robert R. Hebert, Cpl James W. McLain, 1st Lt Irwin Moldafsky, Cpl Leonard G. Owens, 2nd Lt Paul H. Reiche, M/Sgt James Ruska, T/Sgt Arthur H. Schuman, Pfc Clem L. Stinnett, Cpt William E. Threlkeld, Cpl Merlyn K. Williams.

United States Air Force - USAF

En route, an engine caught fire and exploded. All 13 crew members decided to bail out and abandoned the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed in a mountainous area located 7 km west of Yokosuka. The airplane was destroyed while all 13 crew members were found alive. Crew: Cpt Norman T. Abercrombie, 1st Lt Cecile C. Choato, Sgt Bruce H. Gilbert, 2nd Lt James Guinane, Cpt Raymond M. Lajeunesse, Cpt Julian C. Meadows, Sgt Jerry M. Murry, M/Sgt Clarence C. Price, Cpl Loyal Robinson, Sgt Franklin E. Rynot, Pfc Donald H. Thomas, Col Delmore P. Wood.

United States Air Force - USAF

En route from Kadena Airbase and while approaching the North Korean coast, the heavy bomber went out of control and crashed into the Yellow Sea few km off Nampo. No trace of the aircraft nor the 14 crew members was found. Crew: 1st Lt James Argetis, Cpl James L. Bell, S/Sgt Richard B. Caldwell, 1st Lt Bartus H. Carter, Cpl Roderick G. Conn, 1st Lt Thomas L. Eyres, Cpt William R. Fisher, M/Sgt Carrell T. Hodges, Cpt Garold B. Kubicek, S/Sgt Asa L. Law, Pfc David Lewis, 2nd Lt Hugh K. Thomson, Cpl George A. Wedsworth, Cpl Travis C. Wldon.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was performing a training mission from Minneapolis to Griffiss AFB when an engine failed in flight. All eight occupants decided to bail out and abandoned the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed in a field located one mile southeast of Flushing, Michigan. Seven crew members were evacuated while the eight occupant died as his parachute failed to open.

United States Air Force - USAF

Following an uneventful training mission, the crew was returning to his base in Barksdale and completed the approach by night. On final, the heavy bomber hit the roof of a house and crashed onto it about 1,2 mile short of runway 15. Four crew members were killed while nine others were injured. The couple who was sleeping in the house at the time of the accident was evacuated safely.

United States Air Force - USAF

Shortly after takeoff from Lajes Airbase, while in initial climb, the heavy bomber went out of control and crashed into the sea few hundred yards off shore. No survivors was found among the 16 occupants who were returning home for Christmas after a three month period of training in England. The airplane was performing a flight from UK to Florida with an intermediate stop in Lajes, Azores Islands, for refueling.

United States Air Force - USAF

Less than three minutes after takeoff from Kadena AFB, bound for Korea, the heavy bomber went out of control and crashed in a field located 8 km east of the airbase. Nine crew members were killed while three others were injured. Crew: 1st Lt Howard T. Coyler, † Cpl Louis S. Dent Jr., S/Sgt George E. Evenskaas, † Sgt H. J. Groves, 1st Lt David H. Hogan, † 1st Lt Ralph U. Hooper, † S/Sgt Robert L. Kaufman, † Cpl Charles E. Lint, 1st Lt William L. McLain Jr., † 1st Lt Raymond J. Rood, † Maj George R. Salisbury, † Sgt Sherrill L. Stokes. †

United States Air Force - USAF

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.