Crash of a Boeing B-29-15-BA Superfortress in Ellsworth AFB: 17 killed

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
42-63442
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ellsworth - Ellsworth
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Ellsworth AFB, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion in a prairie located 5 miles north of the airfield. All 17 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb.

Crash of a Douglas C-54G-1-DO Skymaster in Berlin

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
45-0514
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
35967
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown on runway 27R at Tempelhof Airport, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran, hit a wooded fence and came to rest in flames. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was partially destroyed by fire. The crew was taking part to the Berlin Airlift.

Crash of a Boeing B-29-55-MO Superfortress in Roswell: 13 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-86383
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Roswell – Gander
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Roswell Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion six miles south of the airfield. Eight crew members were injured while 13 others were killed. It was reported that the aircraft may have been overloaded.
Crew killed were:
Maj Joe O. Will Jr., pilot,
Cpt Richard W. Hunsicker,
M/Sgt James L. Brewer,
Sgt Clyde N. Vanderslice,
Sgt Earl P. Boley,
Cpl Richard L. Lighthall,
Cpl Gordon E. McNeill,
Cpl Wayne O. Werkchiser,
Pfc John J. Capitan,
Pfc Maurice Harris,
Pvt Kenneth Ruohonen,
Sgt Charles R. Jackson,
Pfc Norman J. Remy.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-70-BN Superfortress off Aden: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 27, 1948 at 1900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-62309
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
11786
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
After takeoff, while climbing in thunderstorm activity, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in to the sea. All six crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-15-DK in Berlin: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1948 at 0100 LT
Operator:
Registration:
43-49534
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Wiesbaden – Berlin
MSN:
15350/26795
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On final approach to Berlin-Tempelhof Airport, taking part to the Berlin Airlift, the twin engine aircraft hit the roof of a building and crashed in flames in the adjacent street located in the suburb of Friedenau. Both crewmen were killed while three people on the ground were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.

Crash of a Boeing B-29F-100-BW Superfortress into Lake Mead

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
45-21847
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
13741
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
This version was an electronic reconnaissance aircraft used in Arctic conditions. It crashed into Lake Mead, during a research flight. The crew of five was able to scramble away before the plane sank. It has been located by sonar in 170 feet of water, largely intact except for 3 missing engines (number two, three and four). The flight was for a secret missile guidance system that allowed navigation by tracking of the Sun. A low pass over calm water with pilot error put it into the lake. The aircraft plummeted from high altitude down to as close to the lake as possible. Unfortunately, Captain Robert M. Madison lost his depth perception and plowed the huge plane into the lake at 230 mph. The impact tore off all but one of the engines and sent the plane skipping along the lake surface. When she eventually stopped, she began to take on water and started to sink. Fortunately, all of the crew was able to escape into life rafts and wait for rescue.
Source: http://www.advanceddivermagazine.com/articles/B29/B29.html

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-45-BN Superfortress at Smoky Hill AFB: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-61713
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Smoky Hill - Smoky Hill
MSN:
11190
Crew on board:
13
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Smoky Hill AFB (Schilling AFB), while on a local training flight, an engine failed. Four crew members were able to bail out before the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located two miles southeast of Smolan, about four miles south of the airbase. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and nine crew members were killed. Of the four crew members who were able to bail out, three were injured and one was killed.
Crew:
Cpt Miles C. Wagoner, †
Lt Kyle B. Bordeaux,
Lt Robert B. Pring, †
S/Sgt Arthur P. Taylor, †
Lt Miles J. Miljush, †
Cpt Donald C. Caffey, †
Cpt K. K. Spangenberg, †
Lt Donald K. Gillmor,
Lt Oliver D. Holmquist, †
Mr. Sullivan, †
Pfc L. D. Johnson, †
S/Sgt Homer J. Jones, †
S/Sgt Earl W. Reuter.

Picture of the crew just prior to takeoff. Thanks to Mitch Holmquist for his contribution.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DK in Königstein im Taunus: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 8, 1948 at 2330 LT
Operator:
Registration:
43-48256
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Wiesbaden – Berlin
MSN:
14072/25517
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Wiesbaden-Erbenheim AFB, while climbing by night, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Steinkopf located near Königstein im Taunus, about 16 km northeast of Wiesbaden Airport. All three crew members were killed. They were involved in the Berlin Airlift.

Crash of a Douglas TA-26C Invader in Offutt AFB

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-34667
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Schedule:
Offutt - Offutt
MSN:
27946
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed 2 miles southwest of Offutt AFB following an engine failure. The crew fate remains unknown.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL in Greenville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1948
Operator:
Registration:
43-15282
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
19748
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
During a night approach to Greenville, the aircraft crashed in flames and burned. At least one crew member was killed in the accident.