Zone
New Mexico

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker at Walker AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 3, 1965 at 2300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
Operator:
Registration:
63-8042
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Refuelling
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Walker - Walker
MSN:
18659
YOM:
1964
Location:
Walker AFB
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the four engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. All five crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It is reported the loss of control was caused by the failure of the electric system.

Crash of a Boeing B-52E-90-BO Stratofortress near Mora: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 30, 1963 at 0500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Operator:
Registration:
57-0018
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Walker - Walker
MSN:
17412
YOM:
1957
Location:
Mora
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training mission our from Walker AFB by night when the tail broke off in turbulence. Four crew members ejected before the aircraft crashed into the Sangre de Christo Mountain Range, some 10 miles northwest of Mora. Two crew members were killed.
Crew:
Four crew survived:
Lt Col Donald Hayes, pilot,
Maj Thomas J. McBride, copilot,
Maj Emil Goldbeck, navigator,
Lt Col Nicholas Horangic, radar operator,
Maj George Szabo, weapons systems operator, †
M/Sgt Harvey Burl Dean, tail gunner. †

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker at Walker AFB: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
Operator:
Registration:
56-3628
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Walker - Walker
MSN:
17377
YOM:
1958
Location:
Walker AFB
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Walker AFB, Roswell, New Mexico. Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the airplane rolled left and right and eventually crashed in a huge explosion on a hangar at the airbase. The airplane was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire as well as two others Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker registered 57-1449 and 57-1457. All six crew members were killed as well as two employees in the hangar.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident occurred in strong cross winds. At the time of the accident, the instructor was seating on the jump seat instead of one of the pilot's seats as directed by the commander.

Crash of a Boeing KC-97G-27-BO Stratotanker near Gray Mountain: 16 killed

Date & Time: Oct 29, 1957 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker
Operator:
Registration:
52-2711
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Walker - Walker
MSN:
16733
YOM:
1952
Location:
Gray Mountain
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
The crew left Walker AFB at 0630LT for a nine hours training mission consisting of a low level survey flight. After it overflew the small town of Gray Mountain at a height of about 60 feet in marginal weather conditions, the four engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain and crashed about 35 miles of Flagstaff. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 16 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited due to low clouds.

Crash of a Boeing KC-97G-26-BO Stratotanker near Walker AFB: 11 killed

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1956
Type of aircraft:
Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker
Operator:
Registration:
52-2700
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
MSN:
16731
YOM:
1952
Location:
Walker AFB
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Walker AFB, while climbing by night, a propeller blade detached from the engine number two, penetrated the fuselage and pierced a fuel tank. The aircraft caught fire, exploded and crashed in a desert area located 8 miles south of the airbase. All 11 crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of a propeller blade during initial climb.

Crash of a Convair B-36J-5-CF Peacemaker near Sterling City: 15 killed

Date & Time: May 25, 1955 at 2305 LT
Type of aircraft:
Convair B-36 Peacemaker
Operator:
Registration:
52-2818
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Walker - Walker
MSN:
374
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
Abbott 27
Location:
Sterling City
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
15
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
While conducting a training mission from Walker AFB, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and turbulences. The airplane lost wing panels, went out of control and crashed in a flat attitude in a desert area located 18,5 miles southwest of Sterling City. All 15 crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control caused by heavy turbulences in thunderstorm activity.

Crash of a Boeing B-50D-90-BO Superfortress near Caprock

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-50 Superfortress
Operator:
Registration:
48-092
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Walker - Walker
MSN:
15901
YOM:
1948
Location:
Caprock
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While performing a training flight, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. The captain attempted an emergency landing in a desert area located 12 miles south of Caprock. The airplane was damaged beyond repair but there were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Convair RB-36H-20-CF Peacemaker in Walker AFB

Date & Time: Feb 18, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Convair B-36 Peacemaker
Operator:
Registration:
51-13719
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Rapid City – Walker
Location:
Walker AFB
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
22
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On landing, the undercarriage collapsed and punctured the fuel tank. The aircraft slid on its belly for dozen yards and came to rest in flames on the runway. All 22 occupants evacuated safely before the aircraft would be destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage collapsed on landing.

Crash of a Boeing B-29-90-BW Superfortress in Walker AFB: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Operator:
Registration:
44-87735
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
12538
YOM:
1944
Location:
Walker AFB
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
On final approach to Walker AFB, the heavy bomber went out of control and crashed in flames two miles south of the airbase. Seven crew members were killed while five others were injured.
Subscribe to Walker AFB