North Field AFB (Tinian Island) | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

For unknown reason, the takeoff roll was aborted. The heavy bomber overran and came to rest in flames. Five crewmen were killed while six others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Crew killed were:
F/O Joseph C. Cochran,
1st Lt George E. Godsey,
1st Lt Joseph A. Little,
1st Lt Charles N. Roberts,
1st Lt Edward W. Williams.

Crash of a Boeing B-29-50-BW Superfortress into the Pacific Ocean: 12 killed

Date & Time: Feb 12, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Boeing B-29 Superfortress

Operator:

Registration:

42-24842

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

North Field - North Field

MSN:

4504

YOM:

1942

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Forty-five minutes after its departure from North Field AFB (Tinian Island), while cruising, the engine number four caught fire. The aircraft dove into the sea and exploded as it struck the water surface. Only few debris were found on site and all 12 crew members were killed.
Crew (39th Squadron):
Sgt Robert J. Beller, radio operator,
Cpl Harold M. Brown, air gunner,
1st Lt Bernard A. Casaurang, pilot,
Cpl Ralph R. Cima, radar officer,
Cpl Flavio M. Duca, air gunner,
Cpl Charles N. Gentry,
2nd Lt Edward A. Josephson, pilot,
F/O Louis T. Kestner Jr., navigator,
Cpl Joseph J. Kuebler, air gunner,
Cpl Richard V. Leland,
T/Sgt Fred B. Robbins, flight engineer,
2nd Lt Richard J. Scarisbrick, bombardier.

Probable cause:

Engine # 4 caught fire in flight.