B-47

Aircraft by type

Boeing B-47 Stratojet
All Losses & Ejections
The list now requires editing and the addition of further notes and graphics

Date	Air Force	A'cft	Unit / Serial	based	crashed	crew	photo	seat
11th May 1949	USAF	F-82		325th FW Moses Lake AFB, Washington	Crashed five miles from base
11th May 1949	USAF	F-82		325th FW Moses Lake AFB, Washington	Crashed five miles from base	Lt. Jesse J. Gilliam Tallahassee, Fla. killed	?? killed
4th December 1953	USAF	F-86D
4th December 1953	USAF	F-86D			Two Air Force pilots escaped without a scratch in a spectacular belly-crash collision of their F-86D Sabre Jets at 23,000 feet today.

Date Air Force A'cft Unit / Serial based crashed crew photo seat

18th August 1950 Boeing XB-47-BO Stratojet 46-065
[first prototype] major structural damage following stalling on landing Crew ??
OK

11th May 1949 XB-47 Stratojet 46-65 Moses Lake AFB, WA Canopy came off at high speed, on test flight 40M E Moses Lake, WA Boeing Test Pilot
Edward Scott Osler
killed in canopy accident ??
co-pilot safely landed the aircraft

26th February 1951 B-47A Stratojet 49-1904 Wichita MAP, KS mishap Robert T. Robinson

19th March 1951 B-47A Stratojet 49-1904 Eglin AFB, FL mishap Richard C. Neeley

4th May 1951 B-47A Stratojet 49-1906 Eglin AFB, FL Landing accident Julian R. Abernathy

8th August 1951
USAF B-47A Stratojet 49-2645 caught fire and was destroyed

18th August 1951
USAF B-47A Stratojet 49-1906 Eglin AFB, FL crash-landed at Wichita John G. Foster

B-47A
Note
"There were problems with the ejection seat equipment. The ejection seats were removed after an XB-47 accident in which the pilot was killed. As a substitute, a bail-out spoiler was provided underneath the nose so that the crew entry door could be used for egress"
[The Stratojet Association - Chapter 2]

1st September 1951
USAF B-47B Stratojet 50-0007 Wichita AFB, KS On a formation test flight - mid air with B-47B 50-024 three Miles north east of base Wichita AFB Chester A. Clothorp [Clotharp]
&
Oppenheimer All on board killed

1st September 1951
USAF B-47B Stratojet 50-0024 Wichita AFB, KS On test flight - mid air with B-47B 50-007 three Miles north east of base Wichita AFB Boeing Test Pilot Douglas Corbett "Doug" Heimburger
&
Steve Gatti All on board killed

2nd November 1951
USAF B-47B Stratojet 50-0023 Wichita AFB, KS Landing mishap at Wright-Patterson AFB Olbert F. Lassiter

15th November 1951
USAF B-47B Stratojet 50-0011 3520th CCTW

16th November 1951
USAF B-47B Stratojet 50-0019 Eglin AFB, FL Mishap on landing John C. Foster

19th November 1951

afternoon

USAF
Boeing Boeing B-47B Stratojet 50-006 EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, California Routine test flight. rolled over on it's climb out and crashed a quarter of a mile west of the runway shortly after a take-off at Edwards AFB, CA, Air Research and Development Command

Captain Joseph "Joe" E. Wolfe, Jr
33
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Pilot
Assistant Chief of the Experimental Test Operations Branch
killed
LINK Major Robert A. Mortland Co-Pilot
30
Clarion, Penn.
killed
LINK Master Sergeant Christy N. Spiro
32
Worcester, Mass.
killed
LINK

19th November 1951
USAF B-47B Stratojet 50-0008 369BS
306BW
MacDill AFB, FL Mishap on landing David J. Williams
[RCAF]

3rd December 1951
USAF B-47B Stratojet 50-0019 Eglin AFB, FL Structural problems David A. Himes

21st December 1951
USAF B-47B Stratojet 50-0014 6510AMS
6510AMG
Edwards AFB, CA Structural problems Russell E. Schleeh

26th March 1952
USAF B-47B Stratojet 50-026 Kirtland AFB,NM, 4925th Test Grp. (Atomic) The aircraft stalled, crashed, and burned during an ATO takeoff

Capt. Arthur A. Zalk
AC
killed Capt. Francis H. Early
Co-Pilot
killed 1st Lt. Chester W. Thew
killed M/Sgt. Allen Witt
Crew engineer
killed

11th April 1952
USAF B-47B Stratojet 50-0038 MacDill AFB The aircraft landed short in Tampa Bay on approach

Capt. Henry Williamson
AC
survived Major W. Brazil
pilot
survived Capt. Herbert J. Johnson
pilot
survived

24th June 1952
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2048 Edwards AFB, CA, R&D Command Capt. Leonard Patrick Farrell
AC

3rd July 1952
USAF B-47B Stratojet 50-0065 306th BW, McCoy AFB, FL.
also seen as
360th McDill AFB Caught fire and crashed near Myakka, FI

Lt C. Howard T. Weeks
36
AC
killed
[Instructor Pilot CO 367 BS] Capt. Herbert J. Johnson
30
Co-Pilot
killed Maj. Raymond R. Haggar
31
observer
killed

22nd July 1952
USAF B-47B Stratojet 50-081 306th BW, McCoy AFB, FL
MacDill AFB
???
aircraft exploded in mid-air over Marianna, FL
High Speed Low Level Training Mission. Crashed in a small country town named “Marianna” located in Northwest Florida.
two civilian fatalities

Maj. Frederick "Fred" E. Ewing
31
Parker, Ind.
AC
killed Capt. Oscar W. Yon
[Yow?]
28
Eckley, W. Va.
Co-Pilot
killed Capt. James H. Foreman
29
Birmingham, Ala
Pilot
killed Capt. Richard E. Francis
28
Clay City, Ind
Observer
killed

21st February 1953
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2392 Boeing / Wichita Damaged beyond repair by fire

21st February 1953
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2389 Boeing / Wichita Damaged beyond repair by fire

19th March 1953
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2085 3520th FTW
Wichita AFB, KS bounced while landing Crew survived

26th March 1953
USAF RB-47B Stratojet 50-035 3520th TFW Wichita AFB, KS. Crashed while attempting to land

Captain William W. Tiller
31
Sanford, Fla.
Instructor Pilot
killed Maj. Eugene J. Marx
31
Ellensburg
Student Co-Pilot
killed Maj. S. E. Tucker
Student-Co-Pilot
killed

2nd July 1953
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2267 306th BW, MacDill AFB, FL.
On a 90-day rotation to RAF Fairford.
The aircraft stalled on the turn to final and crashed and burned at RAF Upper Heyford, UK

Major Thomas P. "Tom" Russell III
AC
killed ??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

24th July 1953
USAF YRB-47B Stratojet 51-2253 26th SRW, Lockbourne AFB, OH Crashed during touch-and-go's

Capt. Melvin F. Skiff
AC
killed ??
killed ??
killed

.

7th September 1953
USAF YRB-47B Stratojet 51-2226 91st SRW, 323rd SRS. Lockbourne AFB, OH left the runway, ground looped, caught fire,shooting touch-and-gos

Major Charles S. Graham
AC
survived 1st Lt. Harold W. Stone
Co-Pilot
survived Major Cecil A. Hubbard
photo-navigator
survived

Testing the Downward Ejection Seat System

USAF photo
USAF photo

USAF Downwards ejection trials from B-47 "052" from Elgin AFB. flown by pilot Bill Campbell, co-pilot Ralph Lusk.

7th October 1953
USAF B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 1 Col. A.M. "Chic" Henderson
alt. 10,000ft. speed 203kt.

?? October 1953
USAF B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 2 Mgsgt George Post

?? October 1953
USAF B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 3

?? October 1953
USAF B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 4

?? October 1953
USAF B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 5

?? October 1953
USAF B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 6 Lt. Hank Neilsen
speed 390kt. Inj.

7th October 1953
USAF B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 7 Lt. Ed. Sperry
alt. 10,000ft. speed 260kt.

16th October 1953
USAF B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 8 Lt. Ed. Sperry
alt. 10,000ft. speed 325kt.

21st October 1953
USAF B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 9 Lt. Ed. Sperry
alt. 10,000ft. speed 389kt. inj.

13th October 1953
USAF B-47 Stratojet 51-2096 33rd BS/ 22 BW, March AFB, CA Crashed while making a takeoff on the third touch-and-go. The aircraft crew had already spent two hours previously practising refueling.

Capt. Byron M. Steel
AC
killed ??
killed ??
killed

15th October 1953
USAF TB-47B Stratojet 50-0034 3540th FTW, Pinecastle AFB, FL. crashed during touch-and-gos

One person was killed. The AC was Capt. Carl M. Crenshaw.

3rd December 1953
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-2440 303rd BW, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. caught fire and exploded practicing air refueling

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

16th December 1953
USAF TB-47B Stratojet 50-0028 3540th FTW, Pinecastle AFB, FL cart-wheeled and crashed during touch-and-gos

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

8th January 1954
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2089 Wichita AFB, KS crashed while attempting to land

Capt. Harold L. Pristi
survived Lt. Dale D. Smith
killed Lt. Charles C. Hogan
killed

8th February 1954
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0023 22nd BW, March AFB, CA The aircraft struck a tree on the approach one mile east of Upper Heyford, cart-wheeled, and crashed.

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

22nd February 1954
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0053 2nd BW, Hunter AFB, GA
The aircraft exploded

on the flight line during refueling
M/Sgt Curtiss L. Harrod
killed

5th March 1954
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-2416 303rd BW, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ The aircraft lost power on takeoff and crashed while deploying for Greenham Common

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

16th March 1954
USAF B-47 Stratojet 51-2092 3520th CCTW
Forbes AFB Crashed while practicing low approaches on the Forbes radio range near the AFB after colliding with 50-0063

Maj. Clifford Wonderly
survived Capt. Kenneth Johnson
survived 1st Lt. Richard Hornback
survived

16th March 1954
USAF TB-47B Stratojet 50-0063 3520th CCTW
Forbes AFB Crashed while practicing low approaches on the Forbes radio range near the AFB after colliding with 51-2092

LtC. Sidney Smith
killed Maj. Herbert White
killed Maj. Lloyd Zuppan
killed

30th April 1954
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2232 4925th Test Group Landed short at Kirtland AFB, NM. The aft gear collapsed and the rear fuselage was destroyed by fire

10th June 1954
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51- 5252 44th BW, Lake Charles, LA
On TDY to Sidi Slimane, French Morocco
During refuelling went into spin, and crashed near Oujda, Morocco. Pilot killed

21st June 1954
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0229 2nd BW, Hunter AFB, GA Bomb bay fire led to the aircraft being destroyed at Townsend, GA

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

20th July 1954
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-17385 68th BW, Lake Charles AFB, LA Crashed 8 miles from the end of the runway while on a GCA at RAF Fairford, UK

??
survived ??
survived ??
survived ??
navigator
killed

Stratojet

27th July 1954
USAF TB-47B Stratojet 50-0001 ARDC, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH Crashed on takeoff (T.O.) from Tinker AFB, OK

6th August 1954
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-2382 51st BS, 68th BW, 806th Air Division
Lake Charles AFB, LA Crashed on takeoff from Fairford when aircraft stalled

Capt. William A. Catto
AC
killed Capt. Don W. Johnson
Co-Pilot
killed 1st Lt. Elon Friedman
observer
killed S/Sgt. Kennie Varney
crew chief
killed

24th September 1954
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0285 310th BW, Smoky Hill, KS Overshot the runway. Destroyed All aboard escaped safely

18th October 1954
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-2437 303rd BW, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ Crashed on landing

??
AC
survived ??
Co-Pilot
killed ??
crew chief
survived

29th October 1954
USAF RB-47E Stratojet 52-0770 90th SRW, Forbes AFB, KS Crashed ten miles from Olathe, KS. Went into a spin while making a VFR climb

Capt. Norman I. Palmer
32
Rochester, Indiana
AC
ejected at low altitude
survived Capt. George H. Miller
33
Burbank, California
co-pilot
killed Capt. Hassel O. Green
32
Newsite, Mississippi
instructor-pilot
killed Capt. Arthur F. Bouton, Jr.
31
Littlerock, Arkansas
observer
killed

25th November 1954
also seen as
2nd December 1954
[was this the date it was declared DBR?]

USAF B-47B Stratojet 52-0083 43rd BW, Davis Monthan
assigned to the 3910th ABG at Midenhall Major accident at Lakenheath

10th December 1954
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2100 321^st BW, Pinecastle AFB, Fl
The aircraft was deploying to Lakenheath. Crashed in mountainous area 50 miles south of Sidi Slimane at

Oulmes Fr. Morocco
No Ejection Seats
??

Captain Dale H. Cooper
AC
Bailed Out
recovered by ground crew

Captain James McMullen
Bailed Out
rescued in poor weather conditions by a 56th ARS H-19. Air Sea Rescue SA-16s an Navy PBYs from Port Lyautey

1^st Lt. Max A. Brunson
Bailed Out
recovered by ground crew

A 1/C Robert E. Hudson
Bailed Out
recovered by ground crew

5th January 1955
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52- 029 44th BW, Lake Charles, LA
029 collided with another B-47

during refueling and crashed, killing all the crewmen
navigator ejected and was never found

5th January 1955
USAF B-47E Stratojet
Collided with B-47E 52- 029, 44^th BW, Lake Charles, LA. 029 during refuelling that crashed killing all the crewmen. damaged landed safely

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

6th January 1955
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2086 3520th Flying Training Wing, McConnell Air Force base, Witchita, Kansas Barrel-rolled and crashed and exploded in field in Braman, Oklahoma with crew still aboard

Captain Wayne E. Andrew
Yellow Springs, Ohio
AC
killed 1st Lt. Joseph C. Cook
Sunland, Cal.
Co-Pilot
killed Captain William C. Berry
Dayton. Ohio
Observer
killed

12th February 1955
USAF B‑47E Stratojet 51-7033 19th Bomb Squadron Strategic Air Command 22d Bomb Wing. March AFB, CA Engine exploded and tore the right wing off the aircraft while it was flying over Saskatchewan.

Lt. Col. Kenneth G. McGrew
Aircraft Commander ejected. Regained consciousness on descent Captain Lester E. Epton
Co-Pilot thrown from aircraft when it broke up in mid-air Major Robert Dowdy
Observer never left the aircraft and died in the crash Captain Thomas Pittman thrown from aircraft when it broke up in mid-air survived three days in the sub-zero weather without food. Picked up at 13:55 Central Time by H-19 helicopter. Doctors were forced to amputate the lower part of his right leg after he was rescued.

28th February 1955
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0045 68th BW, Lake Charles AFB, LA Crashed into a trailer park while attempting to land. Two civilian fatalities

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

15th March 1955
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0046 308^th BW, Hunter AFB, GA Five unsuccessful attempts to land the aircraft at Hunter AFB under GCA. Ran short of fuel headed for Charleston AFB. where there was a
500 foot ceiling with 2 miles visibility in fog and haze. With fuel at the critical level the AC ordered the crew to bailout which they did safely

Crashed near North, SC

bailed out bailed out bailed out bailed out

15th March 1955
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0490 305th BW, MacDill AFB, FL Crashed on finals to landing at Ben Gurerir AB, Morocco and burned All crewmembers safely egressed the aircraft

Col. James W. Wilson
AC
305th BW C.O.
survived LtC. James M. Smith
I.P
survived Maj. William W. Richards
navigator
survived A2/C Harold E. Schultz
crew chief
survived

25th March 1955
USAF RB-47E Stratojet 52-0742 90th SRW, Forbes AFB, KS The aircraft was returning to Forbes AFB from Lake Charles AFB when it was directed to divert to Walker AFB, NM because of ice on the runway at Forbes. The AC elected to land at Biggs but then decided to land at EL Paso International. Blowing dust had reduced visibility at Biggs to 1/2 mile. The aircraft crashed ¹/2 short of the end of the El Paso runway.

Capt. Joseph R. Kingston
33
Medford Ma
killed Maj. Jules M. Fantel
34
Topeka KS
killed 1st Lt John R. Wilson
25
Appleton, N.Y
killed

FEEDBACK Thanks to Joseph R. Kingston Jr. (grandson) for providing the crew details of the above loss in an email received 11th October 2011

15th April 1955
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2277 3200 Test Grp, Eglin AFB, FL Crashed into Castle Harbor on take off at Kindley AFB, Bermuda

??
killed ??
killed
bnr ??
killed
bnr

18th April 1955
also seen as
17th April 1955
USAF YRB-47B Stratojet 51-2054
Roman I 26th SRW, Lockbourne AFB, OH Shot down off Kamchatka

Maj. Lacie Neighbors
killed Capt. Robert N. Brooks
killed Capt. Richard E. Watkins
killed

1st May 1955
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0386 303rd BW, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ Crashed and burned on takeoff at RAF Fairford, UK

27th May 1955
also seen as
24th May
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-054 307th BW, Lincoln AFB, KS Lincoln AFB, Nebraska Brake parachute failure. Overran runway returning from a night navigation training mission

John Kodsi
AC
survived ??
survived ??
survived Sgt. Edward Seagraves
survived

31st May 1955
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-7073 301st BW, Barksdale AFB, LA crashed and burned on takeoff

Major William H, Perkins
AC
killed Lt Col Frank J.P. Rasor
Co-Pilot
killed Major Robert J. Waste
observer
killed Airman Richard C. Olivio
crew chief
killed

21st June 1955
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2112 321st BW, Pinecastle AFB, FL Overran the end of the runway and destroyed by fire. All crew survived

14th July 1955
USAF B-47 Stratojet EECM modified aircraft 52-0421
Blue Cradle 376th BW, Barksdale, LA Crashed on takeoff at 12 minutes after midnight.

2nd August 1955
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0397 376th BW, Barksdale AFB, LA Damaged beyond repair after turning off runway at Upper Heyford, UK

3rd October 1955
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-1847 43rd BW, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ Crashed near Tatum, NM, after refueling with a tanker.

??
killed ??
Co-Pilot
survived ??
killed

4th October 1955
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0580 40^th BW, Smoky Hill KS Following air re-fuelling experienced uncontrollable engine fire in the wing aircraft crashed near Galva, KS

AC
ejected safely

Co-Pilot
unable to eject bailed out through the open bomb bay.

observer
bailed out through the open bomb bay.

instructor observer bailed out through the open bomb bay

13th October 1955
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2231 320th BW
March AFB, California Crashed three minutes after takeoff.

Capt. Edward A. O'Brien Jr.
pilot
killed Capt. David J. Clare
co-pilot
killed Major Thomas F. Mulligan
navigator
killed Capt. Joseph M. Graeber
chaplain
killed

14th October 1955
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0500 305th BW Being ferried from MacDill AFB to Dobbins AFB. Crashed while attempting landing runway 27 at NAS Atlanta, Georgia breaking off the tail crew escaped safely

Capt.. James D. Vitko
AC
survived ??
survived ??
survived ??
survived

21st Oct. 1955
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0336 9th BW, Mountain Home, ID
Crashed shortly after taking off from Misawa AB, Japan. The AC ordered ejection before the aircraft crashed.

??
survived ??
survived ??
survived Observer
killed

8th November 1955
03:45z
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-7035 97th BW, Biggs AFB, TX Blew up in flight, three miles southeast of Marlin, TX

??
killed
??
killed ??
killed

30th November 1955
USAF RB-47E Stratojet 52-0785 26th SRW
Stalled and crashed at Lockbourne AFB. All crew survived

1st December 1955
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0301 310th BW, Smoky Hill, KS Blew up in flight

18th December 1955
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2286 19th BW, Pinecastle AFB, FL mid-air collision with 52-535 on the outskirts of Tampa

Maj. Samuel L. Castlebury
AC
killed Capt Robert Chamberlin
instructor pilot
killed Capt. Lynn E. Hunter
observer
killed Capt. Arthur M. Miller
Co-Pilot
killed

18th December 1955
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0535 306th BW, MacDill AFB, FL mid-air collision with 51-2286 near Mac Dill on the outskirts of Tampa.

Capt. Robert B. Harris
AC
killed Capt. Samuel Brier
Co-Pilot
killed Major Frederick A. Clark
observer
killed

3rd January 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0070 96th BW, Altus, OK Hit a telephone pole on practice instrument approaches at Amarillo, TX. Crashed, and exploded

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

5th February 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-1831 715th BS, 509th BW, Walker AFB, NM Crashed at the end of the runway when the undercarriage failed to retract. Destroyed by fire.

7th February 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2304 2nd BW, Hunter AFB, GA Crashed and burned on landing. AC received major injuries

10th February 1956
USAF B-47 Stratojet ?? Smoky Hill AFB Salina, KS Crashed and destroyed on radar acceptance flight near Westmoreland, KS

Lt. Col. Frederick G. Wheeler
35
Menlo Park, California
killed Captain Thomas H. Waggoner
27
New Castle, Indiana
killed Lt. John J. Platt
26
Jersey City, NJ
killed Airman 1st Class Kenneth R. Patterson
22
Detroit, Michigan
killed

10th February 1956
USAF RB-47H Stratojet 53-4283 55thSRW, Forbes AFB, KS Crashed on take off from Ellsworth AFB, SD killing all six occupants

Captain Floyd Ray Shirk
29
Rapid City
killed Captain William L. Youman
29
Columbus, Ohio
killed Captain Robert Eugene Lambiaso
38
Peoria, Illinois
killed 1st Lt. Joseph E. McHugh
31
Mobile, Alabama
killed 2nd Lt. Charles Gosney
24
Kansas City, Mo.
killed 2nd Lt. Joseph L. Petek
23
Pueblo, Colorado
killed

27th February 1956
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2344 340th BW, Whiteman AFB, MO Structural failure. Crashed shortly after take

Capt. Robert R. Hayes
AC
killed Capt. James P. Gianakos
pilot
killed Capt. Frank J. Matuszewski
instructor AOB
killed 1st/Lt.. Jack Leon Peters
AOB
killed

10th March 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0534
Inkspot 59 369th Bomb Squadron, 306th BW MacDill AFB, FL One of a flight of four B-47s En route non-stop to Ben Guerir AFB. Did not make rendevous with tanker refueling over the Mediterranean
Two unarmed nuclear devices never recovered

??
missing
presumed killed ??
missing
presumed killed ??
missing
presumed killed ??
missing
presumed killed

28th March 1956
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2175 3520 FTW, McConnell AFB, KS
An explosion in the bomb bay tank led to structural breakup with the aircraft shedding its wings. The aircraft crashed near

East Wichita

Capt. William C. Craggs
Wichita
AC
killed Lt.Col. William H. Dames
39
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
pilot
killed 2nd /Lt. John C. Leysath
24
North, South Carolina
Co-Pilot
killed

5th April 1956
11:40
also seen as 6th April
USAF B-47 ? Stratojet 372 BS
307 BW
Lincoln AFB Crashed near Ceresco, Nebrasks Crashed 15 minutes after take off near Ceresco, NE

Captain James W. Sullivan
killed 1st Lieutenant Anthony C. Marcanti
[Mercanti?]
killed 2nd Lieutenant Lawrence A. Schmidt
killed Airman 1C James J. Berry
killed

18th April 1956
USAF Stratojet ??

2nd May 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0450 98th BW
also seen as

372 BS
307 BW
Lincoln AFB
Crashed one mile short of the runway
all crew were from the 345th Bomb Squadron

Captain Marion J. Perdue
33
San Antonio, Texas
Aircraft Commander
killed 2nd Lieutenant Linwood M. McIntosh
22
Dallas
killed Captain Charles H. Stonesifer
35
Maricopa, California
navigator/bombardier
killed Staff Sergeant William F. Rockholt
24
Fellows, California
crew chief
killed

16th May 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-2442 97^th BW, Biggs AFB, TX
number Number 6 engine failed and then caught fire. Aircraft crashed in the English Channel, 12 miles southwest of Lands End
The crew was ordered to bailout, only the navigator survived.

26th June 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0565 40th BW, Smoky Hill AFB, KS Crashed and burned in a wheat field near Salina

Capt. Robert A. Galvin
AC
killed 1st Lt. Charles W. Ward
Co-Pilot
killed Capt. Bruce C. Harris
navigator
killed

2nd July 1956
USAF B-47 Stratojet 53-2304

13th July 1956 B-47E Stratojet 52-0572 40th BW, Smoky Hill AFB, KS Crashed on take off

killed
killed
killed ??
killed

27th July 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-4230 307th BW, Lincoln AFB, NE The aircraft, carrying three un-fused nuclear devices, was performing touchand-goes at Lakenheath, UK. On the fourth approach the aircraft began to porpoise and the AC attempted to make a go-around. However, the right wing-tip dropped and dragged and the aircraft crashed being consumed in flames

Capt. Russell R. Bowling
AC
killed 2nd Lt. Carroll W. Kalberg
Co-Pilot
killed 1st Lt. Michael J. Selmo
observer
killed T/Sgt. John Ulrich
A&E technician
kil

5th October 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-5230 22nd BW, March AFB, CA stalled on take off after it developed engine trouble

Capt. Joseph A. Santino
killed Capt. Edmund S. Temple
killed Lt. James L. Carter
killed

10th October 1956
also seen as
1st October 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2301 2nd BW, Hunter Air Force Base, GA landed short and was destroyed while attempting to land under GCA control One crew member received major injuries

25th October 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-1933 4th BW, Lake Charles AFB, LA Crashed on take off

killed
killed
killed ??
killed

31st October 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0151 22nd BW, March AFB, CA Crashed and burned while it was attempting a GCA landing in foggy weather Crash crews rescued all four crew men

??
rescued by crash crew ??
rescued by crash crew ??
navigator
rescued by crash crew
died the following day ??
rescued by crash crew

Tuesday 6th November 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-2421 96th BW
Altus AFB. Ok Crashed on farm near Hobart, Oklahoma following engine problems

Maj. Joseph E. Wilford
AC
killed Capt. Francis P. Bouschard
pilot
killed Capt. Lee D. Ellis, Jr.
instructor-aircraft observer
killed 1st Lt. Andrew J. Toalson
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
observer
killed

17th November 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-369 98th BW, Lincoln AFB, NE Destroyed on ground by an ANG F-80 that had landed in error on the taxiway instead of the runway. F-80 pilot and two ground crew were killed, four others were injured.

17th November 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-4235 307th BW Lincoln AFB, NE

24th November 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-5233 341st Bomb Wing Major damage after it left runway on landing at Dyess AFB. Texas Crew survived

30th November 1956
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-3360 301^st BW, Lake Charles AFB, LA Control lost. Crashed near Port Arthur, CanadaThe aircraft was flying An Operational Readiness Inspection, ORI, mission. Prior to refueling near Port Arthur, Canada, the AC was experiencing difficulty with the aileron power unit. The AC and co- pilot were unable to correct the problem and the aircraft entered a shallow right bank. The AC ordered the crew to bailout when the right bank increased to 60 / 70 degrees and he believed it was impossible to regain control. Of the four crew members, only the AC survived. At the time it was standard operating procedure for units flying an ORI to carry nuclear weapons. Though official records make no mention of it, a reconnaissance pilot from the 91st SRW, who located the crash site, stated they were looking for the remains of the aircraft and the weapons that they were carrying

The AC ordered the crew to bailout only the AC survived

Maj. Robert L. Slane
AC
survived ??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

15th January 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0049 379th BW, Homestead AFB, FL Fire reported as aircraft was about to land. Crashed on approach

Maj. Donald I. Cooper
AC
killed 1st. Lt. Artie W. Wall
Co-pilot
killed Maj. Gabriel Tallone
navigator
killed Maj. John S. Arena
instructor navigator
killed

24th January 1957
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2332 19^th BW, Homestead AFB, F Mid air collision during refuelling operations near the Isle of Pines, Cuba.

24th January 1957
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2352 19^th BW, Homestead AFB, F AC only survivor

1st February 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-6198 100th BW, Pease AFB, NH. Disappeared off the radar scope, 11 miles east of Gloucester, MA while making an approach to land

Capt. Alexander A. Wawrzyniak
AC
missing presumed killed Lt. Stanley Jenkins
Co-Pilot
killed
body recovered 1st Lt. Stanley N. Partridge
Navigator
missing presumed killed Capt. Orrin Snyder
instructor navigator
missing presumed killed

15th February 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-1832 509th BW, Pease AFB, NH Damaged in a ground mishap

2nd March 1957
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2192 320th BW, March AFB, CA crashed shortly after takeoff. Hit the ground and exploded Crew ??

7th March 1957
USAF EB-47E Stratojet 52-0439 376th BW, Lockbourne AFB, OH Damaged beyond repair after an accident at Lake Charles, LA.

7th March 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2395 44th BW, Lake Charles, LA Destroyed on the ramp by fire

22nd March 1957
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2265 321 BW, Pinecastle AFB, FL Crashed while making a heavy weight take-off and was destroyed

Captain Norman B. Horowitz
33
Orlando
killed First Lieutenant David R. Lewis
25
killed First Lieutenant Brian H. Rodgers
23
Morganfield, Ky
killed Staff Sergeant Louis Grau
20
Orlando
killed

5th April 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0456 98th BW Lincoln AFB, NE Crashed during landing. Destroyed by fire All crew egressed safely on ground

7th April 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-2425 96th BW, Altus AFB, OK Crashed into Kaala Mountain on a flight from Andersen AFB, Guam on way to Hickam AFB

Capt. Don N. Rogers
killed 1st Lt. Sherwin Bozeman JR
killed 1st Lt. Frank L. Clausi
killed S/Sgt. Haskel E. Gray
killed

1st May 1957
USAF RB-47E Stratojet 52-0761 70^th SRW, Little Rock AFB, AK Entered a spin at 7000 feet during refuelling. Crashed near Pittsburgh, TX.

ejected ejected ejected killed in aircraft

24th May 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2091 43^rd BW, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ Control lost during flight through severe thunderstorms.
Crashed near Arnett, OK

Captain James Holden
AC
ejected Lt. Cosimo Malozzi
ejected
Lt. Robert A.

McIssac
ejected

17th July 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-7031 341^st BW, Dyess AFB, TX Crashed during take off in an overloaded condition.

killed killed killed killed

18th July 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-7042 22^nd BW, March AFB, CA
Night refuelling. Had increase height to avoid thunderstorms. Crashed into a mountain

8 miles west of Shaffer, NV

6th August 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-2102 340^th BW, Whiteman AFB, MO
Ground-looped during landing. Crashed at Whiteman AFB, MO.

Aircraft Commander
evacuated burning aircraft Co-Pilot
evacuated burning aircraft Observer
killed Observer
killed

.

8th August 1957
USAF RB-47E Stratojet 52-754 90^th SRW, Forbes AFB, KS Crashed during touch and goes. Fires broke out.

All crew evacuated aircraft

12th September 1957
USAF JB-47E Stratojet 53-2282 3245 Tech Sqd./ Grp, Air Proving Ground Command
Air Force Operational Test Center Hydraulic problems. Aircraft became uncontrollable. Crashed near Bastrop, LA

Col. Joe C. Bailey
AC
ejected Captain Doy Baxter
Co-Pilot
killed Captain Ralph A Harvey
another pilot
killed Captain Robert A. Bergeman
Radar Observer/ Navigator
killed

17th September 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-15811 380^th BW, Plattsburgh AFB, NY
Control problems. MAYDAY was declared. Eventually AC ordered the crew to eject. The aircraft was abandoned in the Gulf of St. Lawrence between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland

Capt Ray T. Cable
ejected
not found Co-Pilot
ejected
was rescued from a raft Not found

Both the pilot and the co-pilot ejected. The co-pilot saw him as they floated down, but he was unresponsive to the co-pilot shouting to him during descent.   The pilot was not recovered.

1st October 1957

USAF

B-47B Stratojet

51-2317

9^th BW,
[also seen as 379th BW]
confirm
Homestead AFB, FL

AC tried unsuccessfully to abort the takeoff. Crashed off the

end of the runway

The crew survived by ground egress

9th October 1957
USAF DB-47B Stratojet 51-2177 321^st BW, Pinecastle AFB, Fl
blew up in mid

air.

pic pic pic

Col. Michael McCoy
321^stWing C.O
killed Lt Col Charles Joyce
Deputy for Operations of the wing
killed Major Vernon D. Stuff
killed Group Captain John Woodroffe DSO, DSC
RAF
killed

11th October 1957

USAF

B-47B Stratojet

51- 2139

379^th BW, Homestead AFB, Fl

The aircraft's port-rear wheel casing failed at 30kt. The Stratojet's tail hit the runway and a fuel tank ruptured. The aircraft burned for seven hours after the firecrew evacuated the area, ten minutes after the crash.

The aircraft was carrying an unarmed nuclear weapon and was participating in exercise Dark Night

John A. Edwards
pilot
killed Captain James D. Perky
killed Captain Thomas Thomann
killed A 1/class William Jones
killed

24th October 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-1891 44^th BW, Lake Charles LA
destroyed in a

ground mishap

29th October 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-6229 310^th BW, Schilling AFB, KS
Stalled and spun in flying a LABS mission. Crashed near Falun, KS

Captain Bernard Rhinebold
killed Captain Harold Horry
killed Captain Bobby Hodges
survived

4th December 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-241 306^th BW, MacDill AFB, Fl
crashed at the Eglin

AFB, Fl bombing range

Willie Gregory
AC
killed Ron Farnsley
Co-Pilot
killed Odie Rogers
Navigator
killed

6th December 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-458 301^st BW, Barksdale AFB, LA
crashed when

the AC tried to abort the takeoff

killed killed killed
1st

Lt. Carlton A. Boutelle
killed

13th December 1957
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-186 98^th BW, Lincoln AFB, NE
Two and half hours into the mission the AC declared a “MAYDAY” when a fire warning light failed on Number 1 and the left wing appeared to be on fire. He shut down the engines on the left wing. The AC was cleared to make a GCA landing at Duluth Municipal Airport. He overshot the turn to final approach by five miles and while correcting back and after crossing the center line the left wing stalled and the aircraft crashed. The investigation revealed no evidence of an engine or in flight fire. The main contributing factor to the accident was the weather phenomena known as aerodynamic vapor condensation that can blanket the entire wing giving the appearance of smoke. The malfunction of the number Number 1 warning light with the vapor led the AC to believe there was a fire in the left wing and caused him to shut down engines 1,2. and 3

Maj. William F. Gardner
AC
killed Captain William A. Baldwin
Co-Pilot
killed Captain Byron H. Blackmore
Landing accident
navigator
killed

18th December 1957
USAF TB-47B Stratojet 50-0076 320^th BW, March AFB, CA The aircraft crashed into Mt. Palomar while attempting to land in weather killing the three crewmen aboard.. The aircraft hit between the 48 inch Schmidt telescope and the 200 inch Palomar telescope, none of the equipment was damaged. The accident investigation revealed that the aircraft was 8 miles off course and 5,000 feet below the minimums for the approach the aircraft was flying.

Major Thomas Marlon Esmond
37
Austin, Texas
aircraft commander
killed Col. Frank Wilby Ellis
40
Covington, Kentucky
pilot
killed Capt. Frank Frederick Harradine
27
Alameda, California
flight surgeon
killed

14th January 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-6240 2^nd BW, Hunter AFB, GA The aircraft landed short and was destroyed the crew escaped safely

20th January 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-7052 380th BW, Plattsburgh AFB, NY The right outrigger tire exploded in the wheel well at 22,000 feet near Plattsburgh NY, resulting in loss of engines 4 and 5 and damage to the outrigger landing gear, pod strut and cowling. After burning off fuel, aircraft was landed on a foamed runway by the Instructor Pilot and the crew egressed normally

Maj John F. Fagan
Instructor Pilot Capt Olaf K. Rosseland
Student A/C Lt. Robert C. Huber
Student A/C
Note: Lt. Huber was later lost in the B-47 mid-air collision of 14 September 1960
A/1C Wesley L. Bender
Crew Chief

28th January 1958
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2220 321^st BW, Pinecastle AFB, Fl. The aircraft burned after a hard landing.

31st January 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0242 306^th BW, MacDill AFB, Fl. The aircraft was destroyed on the runway at Sidi Slimane, Morocco. The aircraft was taxing down the runway in response to a Coco alert when the rear wheel shattered sending flak in all directions. The aircraft caught fire but the crew managed to safely evacuate the aircraft. The aircraft burned for seven hours leaving a 100 foot gap in the runway. The aircraft was carrying a nuclear weapon but there was no explosion. However, there was a small amount of residual radiation. Base personnel were evacuated when the accident occurred but the residents outside of the base were not informed of the potential danger.

5th February 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0388 22BW, March AFB, CA The aircraft apparently blew up at night over water flying a Hairclipper mission near San Miguel, CA. No traces of the aircraft were found.

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

5th February 1958
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2349 19^th BW, Homestead AFB, Fl. The aircraft was carrying a nuclear weapon when it collided with an F-86 near Savannah. The aircraft was ordered to drop the weapon in the Savannah River rather than risk the possibility of a nuclear accident on landing.

Major Howard Richardson
AC
landed the aircraft safely 1^st Lt. Robert Lagerstrom
Co-Pilot Captain Leland Woolard
navigator

The F-86 pilot was Clarence Stewart.
Major Richardson was awarded a DFC and the other two crewmembers received Commendation Medals. The aircraft was struck from the records on March 27^th. The jettisoned nuclear weapon was never recovered.

February 5, 1958 A B-47 on a simulated combat mission from Homestead AFB, California, collided at 03.30hr near Savannah, Georgia, with an F-86 Sabre. The B-47, with no nuclear capsule aboard, made three attempts to land at Hunter AFB, Georgia, but could not get down to a safe landing speed due to structural damage and the weight of the weapon. The bomb was jettisoned from 7,200ft at 180- 190kt, several miles from the Savannah River estuary, off Tybee Beach. The store's HE did not detonate and the B-47 landed safely. Divers with hand-held sonar searched a three-mile area of the Wassaw Sound for over a month, but the weapon was not found.

One of the more notable mishaps involving a B-47 occurred on 5 February 1958 near Savannah, Georgia. A B-47 based out of Homestead AFB, Florida was engaged in a simulated combat exercise with an F-86 Sabre, the bomber simulating an attacking aircraft and the fighter a defender. As was the practice at the time, the B-47 was carrying a single 7,600 lb Mark 15 thermonuclear weapon without its core. During this exercise, the F-86 collided with the B-47. The F-86 pilot ejected and the fighter crashed, while the B-47 suffered substantial damage, including loss of power on one of its outboard jet engines. The bomber pilot had to "safe" soft drop the Mark 15 weapon off the coast of Savannah, Georgia near Tybee Island after three unsuccessful landing attempts at Hunter Air Force Base. The bomb was successfully jettisoned and the aircraft landed safely. An extensive nine-month search was mounted for the unarmed bomb, but proved futile.

8th February 1958
USAF JTB-47B Stratojet 50-053
Air Research and Development Command, Wright Air

Development Center, Wright- Patterson AFB
The aircraft crashed and burned on takeoff. The aircraft had flown an Air Defense Command (ADC) mission on 5 February and because of bad weather at Wright-Patterson AFB the aircraft landed at Westover AFB, MA. The aircraft experienced ignition problems on the takeoff and the takeoff was delayed The aircraft was then scheduled to fly another ADC mission on 7 February. The Aircraft was returned to the fueling pit and serviced to 165, 000 lb gross weight T.O. The flight was aborted on takeoff roll due to the loss of oil pressure on Number 1 engine. It was determined the problem was with the instruments and the aircraft was rescheduled to takeoff on 8 February. On February 8^th the Number 6 engine would not “motor” due to a starter malfunction. The pilot contacted his home base and received what he thought to be permission to make five engine take off. The aircraft was de fuelled to what was to be 135.000 lb gross weight takeoff on five engines. The aircraft did not break ground at the calculated distance and when it did it was nose high and the right wing was low. At 7,500 feet down the runway flap retraction and the aircraft began a sharp climbing turn to the right. The aircraft stalled in a 45 degree to the right at an altitude of 250 feet. All three crewmembers were killed. Factors leading to the crash were miscalculation of the fuel on board due to the refuelling and defueling of the aircraft over two days, and the decision to takeoff on five engines.

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

18th February 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2154 BW, Lincoln AFB, NE. Engine problems. Minor damage

18th February 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-6204 BW, Lincoln AFB, NE. Burnt on ground
[see below]

Shortly after a VFR heavy weight takeoff the AC had indications of a fire on Number 2 and Number 3 engines with wing overheat conditions. The AC notified the tower that he would have to jettison his wing tanks to keep the aircraft from crashing. The AC was instructed to drop the tanks in the designated on base drop area that was parallel and adjacent to the runway. However, the pilot lost visual contact with the runway and requested assistance from the tower in dropping the tanks. Unfortunately the aircraft was not in the proper position when the tower told the AC to drop the tanks and they fell on aircraft 53-6204, that was being pre-flighted and a hangar. Both the hangar and aircraft continued to burn for several hours. 53-2154 sustained minor damage.

A crew chief and an A&E repairman were killed and A 2/C Clive D. Wilson, 307^th FMS fuel truck driver, was injured. M/G W. H. “Butch” Blanchard, the 7^th Air Division Commander, found everyone directly or indirectly involved in the accident at fault including the AC, the tower operator, the tower supervisor, and the flying supervisor.

26th February 1958
USAF RB-47E Stratojet 52-0720 26^th SRW, Lockbourne AFB, OH.
Crashed on approach six miles south of Lancaster, OH. The aircraft hit the ground at an angle of 50 degrees. It was determined that the aircraft was allowed to get into an unusual attitude and/or high speed, through disorientation, from which there was no recovery. In actuality a wheel door had broken away and prevented the control surfaces to be fully active.

1st Lt. Theodore L. Jenner
killed 1st Lt. George M. Reiley
killed 1st Lt. Alvin B. Storey
killed 1st Lt. Earl N. Fogle
killed

Thanks to Chris Jenner for providing his own researches into his father's fatal accident.

27th February 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0181 40^th BW, Schilling AFB, TX. The aircraft was destroyed when it ran out of fuel and landed 1 ¼ short of the end of the runway at Biggs AFB. The aircraft was directed to land at Walker AFB, NM due to weather at Schilling. The crew determined that they had enough fuel to Walker but elected to land at Biggs. One crew member was killed.

Lt.C. Hilding L. Jacobson, Jr.
IP
survived Capt. Gerald A. Weimer
pilot
survived 1st/Lt. Donald F. Maisel
Co-Pilot
survived
1st/Lt. Samuel G. Harding
navigator
killed

28th February 1958
USAF B-47 Stratojet 53-6216

11th March 1958
USAF B-47 Stratojet
March 11, 1958 The number three in a flight of four B-47s en route from Hunter AFB, Georgia, to an overseas base, accidentally jettisoned a weapon with no capsule, after levelling off at 15,000ft. The weapon impacted 6'2 n.m. east of Florence, South Carolina, and the HE detonated, causing several injuries on the ground and damaging property. The B-47 returned to base. on take-off from Dyess AFB, Texas.

Three crewmen ejected at 1,500ft, while the fourth was killed in the crash. The armed weapon's HE detonated forming a crater 35ft in diameter and six feet deep. "Nuclear materials were recovered near the crash site."

??
ejected ??
ejected ??
ejected ??
killed

13th March 1958
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2104 379^th BW, Homestead AFB, Fl.
The aircraft crashed after take

off killing all four aboard.

Maj. Leon F. Hatcher Jr.
AC
killed Maj. Frank H. Whyte Jr.
instructor pilot
killed 1st Lt. Paul J. Pennington
Co-Pilot
killed Capt. George Reid
Navigator
killed

13th March 1958
USAF TB-47B Stratojet 50-0013 3520 FTW, ATC, McConnell AFB, KS
The aircraft was on a normal training mission with the student in the

front seat and the instructor pilot was in the back seat. The student was given unusual positions. During the recovery from the second unusual position, a 30 degree right wing low descent, the pilots heard a thump or crack. They then flew two steep turns. Then as the pilot was establishing a 45 degree bank the pilots heard what was described as a thump, rumble, muffled explosion, or a crack. The control column was pushed forward and the student pilot noted flames. He then pushed the alarm bell and ejected. The instructor had not completed the ejection sequence when the aircraft began to tumble and gyrate. He unbuckled his safety belt and dropped free when the aircraft went into inverted flight. Both the pilot and instructor survived but the pilot occupying the navigator’s seat did not eject. The investigation revealed that the left wing failed at Butt line 35 due to fatigue cracks that had existed for an undetermined period of time. This was the first in a series of crashes that led to the Milk Bottle Inspection and Repair As Necessary, IRAN, mod program.

Pilot Instructor
attempted ejection
made force bail out Student Pilot
ejected Pilot on Navigator's seat
did not eject

21st March 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-244 306^th BW, MacDill AFB, Fl. The aircraft completed a series of low level bombing runs on the Avon Park, Fl bombing range. After completing the runs the AC made a low pass by the control and started a climbing roll to the left. The right wing snapped and the aircraft burst into flames, killing the four crewmen. It is believed that the aircraft was overstressed in flight.

Bob Heiney
AC
killed Ed Pooser
Co-Pilot
killed Siling
Navigator
killed ??
killed

10th April 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0470 376^th BW, Lockbourne AFB, OH.
The aicraft blew up at North Collins, NY, which is 20 mile south of Buffalo, NY. The aircraft was on a refuelling track about1.5 miles in back of the tanker when it blew up killing the four crewmen.This was third crash that led to the Milk Bottle mod program.

Maj. Harold L. Kelly
killed Lt Col John Robert Glyer
killed Lt. Robert Tellier
killed Lt. Albert B. Monica
killed

15th April 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet
LABS 52-0235 306^th BW, MacDill AFB, Fl.
The aircraft took off with thunderstorms in the area and crashed five minutes after takeoff killing the four crewmen aboard. The investigation revealed that the wing had a metal fatigue crack and the additional gusts imposed on it by the thunderstorm turbulence caused the wing to fail. Supervisory error was deemed a contributing factor for allowing the aircraft to takeoff in the vicinity of thunder storms. In so doing the aircraft was subjected to the additional gust loads that caused the wing to completely crack.

15th April 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-562 509^th BW, Pease AFB, NH.
The aircraft crashed after attaining an altitude of 400 feet killing the four people aboard. The investigation revealed that the fuel panels were incorrectly set. The impact of this on the crash is uncertain since the aircraft took off in the planned distance with only a slight loss in acceleration on the takeoff roll.

Capt. Richard D. Burns
27
Royal Oaks, Michigan
aircraft commander
killed 1st Lt. William Stevens Starley
25
Delta, Utah
pilot
killed 1st Lt. Edward S. McKinney
25
Casper, Wyoming
navigator
killed S/Sgt. Jennings V. Ware
23
Hacker Valley, Webster, West Virginia
crew chief
killed

25th April 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0322 98^th BW, Lincoln AFB, NE. The aircraft crashed on the ice on Goose Bay while attempting to make a take off from Goose Bay Air Base. Only the AC survived. It was determined that the crash was due to the AC For allowing the aircraft to loose altitude during the climb.

Maj. Ivan C. Henry Jr.
AC
survived 1st Lt. Benjamin C. Iglauer
killed 1^st Lt. Thomas H. Opsomer
killed

11th June 1958
USAF TB-47B Stratojet 50-0031 3520^th CCTW, McConnell AFB, KS. On landing the aircraft was left wing low to compensate for a crosswind. After initial touch down the aircraft ballooned and the aircraft drifted to the right. Power was applied in an attempt to level the wings. The Instructor then immediately retarded the throttles and the right wing made contact with the sod. Afterwards the Number 6 engine, right outrigger, main landing gear, and left outrigger made contact in that order. Shortly thereafter the left outrigger and left engines were torn from the aircraft. The rear landing gear failed and the fuselage broke in back of the aft gear. The crew escaped without injury. The aircraft was classified as destroyed

11th June 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-1931 2^nd BW, Hunter AFB, GA. The aircraft was en-route to Loring ME to stop prior to going reflex. The aircraft was diverted to Plattsburgh because of weather in the Loring area. The aircraft was one of several attempting to make GCA landings at Plattburgh. The Plattsburgh GCA had trouble making positive contact with 1931 and directed the aircraft to climb to 5,000 feet on a heading of 170 degrees. The pilot acknowledged the transmission and this was the last transmission that was heard from him. The aircraft crashed near Enosburg, VT killing all four aboard. The aircraft was found to be in a near vertical bank to the left, nose down. The investigation concluded that disorientation resulting in loss of control was the primary cause. All four aboard were killed.

Captain Arthur Craven
AC
killed

1st Lt. Frank. J. Jannarone Jr.
Co-Pilot
killed

2nd Lt. William Gulbertson
navigator
killed

S/Sgt. John

Willis
crew chief
killed

25th July 1958
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2206 321^st BW, McCoy AFB, FL.
The aircraft was redeploying back to McCoy after three weeks reflex at Loring AFB, ME. The takeoff was normal and during level off the Co-Pilot noted the elevator sowed four units nose up trim. he AC confirmed his trim position and noted the aft fuel gage indicated empty. Assuming that the aft tank was losing fuel the AC initiated emergency tank emptying procedures. Deciding the tank was empty he discontinued the procedure and repositioned fuel selectors for engines 1, 2, 5, and 6 to “TME” and engines 3 and 4 to “ME” and began the transfer of the fuel from the forward auxiliary tank. When the forward auxiliary tank became empty the elevator trim indicated 21/2 to 3. The Co-Pilot found the CG to be within limits. All subsequent fuel management during the flight was made on the assumption the aft main tank was empty. The crew contacted the Hunter command Post and advised them of their problem. The Hunter C.P. advised them they were in no danger and to proceed to McCoy. At McCoy the 321^st BW command post reconfigured the CG using the Co-Pilot’s numbers. Although the CG was not ideal, it was deemed to be safe and not dangerous. The AC was advised to descend to an altitude between 20-25,000 feet, setup a landing configuration and approach first stall warning smoothly in an attempt to determine the gross weight and CG. After the gear and flaps were lowered the airspeed dropped off rapidly and full power was applied. Both the AC and the Co-Pilot were on the controls to force the nose down. The aircraft fell off the left wing in a spin. Indicated air speed was 143 knots. Recovery was effected but when power was applied the aircraft again fell off to the left in a flat spin. The observer called off altitudes until 14,000 feet was reached at which time the AC ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft.

??
ejected

safely

??
ejected

safely

??
ejected

safely

??
ejected

safely

18th August 1958
USAF TB- 47B Stratojet 50-0045 4347th CCTW, SAC, McConnell AFB, KS

Tuesday 19th August 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2267
[53-2268]? 97th BW, Biggs AFB, TX

Captain Robert Held
AC
ejected 1st/Lt.. James E. "Jim" Cason
Co-Pilot
ejected 1st/Lt. Norman E. Hermes
navigator
did not eject
survived S/Sgt. Roy K. Schell
crew engineer
killed

The aircraft was scheduled to lead a four plane formation in a night Mass Gas refuelling operation near Follet, TX. During descent to the refueling altitude the AC lost his attitude gyro, but he elected to continue the mission with the Co-Pilot monitoring the aircraft’s attitude. Several disconnects occurred during the refuelling operation, attributed to the fact that the tanker director lights were inoperative. The refuelling was terminated early at the request of the tanker leader due to the thunder-storm activity. The B-47 cleared the track and proceeded to climb. At 32,000 feet the AC saw abright flash over his shoulder accompanied by a crack. Simultaneously the aircraft pitched down and the canopy departed. Loose articles were swept off the floor. The elevator appearedto be disconnected and moved freely back and forth. The AC and Co-Pilot ejected safely. The observer was thrown clear of the aircraft when it broke up. He effected seat separation and theparachute opened successfully at a low altitude.

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined, but the most probable cause was structural breakup.

I ejected from a B-47 belonging to the 97^th Bomb Wing, Strategic Air Command, USAF, on August 19, 1958. This accident occurred near Follett, Texas, at about 10 p.m. on that date. I was the cp-pilot. I ejected safely, as did the aircraft commander. The navigator never actually ejected but survived the accident through what I consider to be miraculous circumstances. There was a fourth man on board, a crew chief, who unfortunately was killed in the accident.

I am wondering how to get details of this accident included on your webpage.

Sincerely,

James E. “Jim” Cason
in email 4th April 2011

25th September 1958
USAF RB-47E Stratojet 52-726 90^th SRW, Forbes AFB, KS. The aircraft was scheduled to fly touch and gos following a seven hour training mission. A student pilot was in the back seat. The student flew the GCA and took over visually when he reached GCA minimums. During the flare out the right aileron struck the runway followed by a roll to the left with the left out rigger and aft gear contacting the runway. The aircraft veered to the left off the runway, en- countered a shallow contour that collapsed the forward gear and tore off the left inboard engines and nacelle strut. The acc ident board found that the IP failed to recognize an unsafecondition and failed to take over in sufficient time to avert the accident.

25th September 1958
USAF DB-47E Stratojet 51-5219 AMC The aircraft had departed Patrick AFB, Fl for the Martin Company Airport in Baltimore, MD. The aircraft began to porpoise after it first touched down and the pilot intentionally ground looped the aircraft. The forward gear and the two out riggers collapsed. The three crewmembers successfully evacuated the aircraft. The aircraft might have been bailed to Martin, it was reclaimed on Oct. 20, 1958

29th September 1958
USAF RB-47E Stratojet 52-0744 70^th SRW , Little Rock AFB, AK. The previous day the aircraft had been diverted by weather to McConnell. On September 29^th the crew was scheduled to fly a training mission to Little Rock terminating with touch and gos at Wichita. On the third touch and go the forward gear touched first, the aircraft bounced slightly, recovered, and power was applied. The aircraft became airborne 5,200 feet down the runway in a nose high attitude banking to the right until it crashed about 9,400 feet from the approach end and 1,200 feet off the centerline.

Maj. Merle T. Cunningham
killed Lt Col Zenith Barber
killed
Captain

Richard L. Haggard
killed
Lt Col Lynn Parker
killed

23th October 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0402
Blue Cradle 376^th BW, Lockbourne AFB, OH. The aircraft crashed on take off during a test hop. The aircraft attained an altitude of 300 feet when the aircraft dropped off the right wing and crashed and was almost in the middle of the runway when it burned. The cause of the accident was due to an improper CG of 39.9%. The result of a faulty forward fuel gage and improper refuelling procedures that resulted in the forward main tank having 8,000 lbs less fuel than indicated. On a previous flight the fuel remaining was 2,000 lbs and the tank was filled when the fuel gage read 10,000 lbs.

Captain George

W. Berliner
killed
1^st. Lt. Carl Atherton
killed Captain Thomas A. Henry
killed

29th October 1958
USAF RB-47E Stratojet 52-824 70^th SRW, Little Rock AFB, AK. The aircraft had been practicing low approaches simulating the failure of two engines on the Grider VOR at Pine Bluff, AK when it crashed killing all three aboard. The aircraft was seen to stall, made a one turn spin to the right, momentarily recovered, then appeared to drop its tail and slide backwards The nose then dropped 65 degrees and the aircraft entered a spin from which it never recovered

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

4th November 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-2391 341^st BW, Dyess AFB, TX. On the takeoff roll an ATO bottle exploded setting the rear end of the fuselage. The AC managed to get the aircraft to where the crew ejected safely. The aircraft was carrying a nuclear weapon but there was no explosion.

Maj.

Don E. Youngmark
AC
ejected Captain John M. Gerding
Co-Pilot
ejected Captain John M. Dowling
navigator
ejected
S/Sgt. Robert E. Schneider
refused to bailout

into the flames that were engulfing the aircraft and died in the subsequent crash.

22th November 1958
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2199 321^st BW, McCoy AFB, AFB, Fl.
The aircraft was redeploying from Loring to its home station at McCoy AFB when it crashed on takeoff killing all four

aboard.The cause of the accident was undetermined but probably due to the loss or failure of Number 6 engine pin allowing the engine to swing down. Tear down revealed no power on Number 6.

??
killed 1st Lt. Melvin H. Shira
killed ??
killed ??
killed

27th November 1958
[also seen as 26th]
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-4212 44^th BW, Chennault AFB, LA.
A B-47 armed with a n clear weapon exploded. However there was no explosion from the bomb but no explosion or any radiation.

November 26, 1958
A B-47 caught fire on the ground at Chennault AFB, Louisiana. The single nuclear weapon aboard was destroyed. Contamination was limited to the immediate vicinity of the weapon residue within the B-47's wreckage.

Captain Joseph T. Lyles
AC
killed Co-Pilot
??
details Lt. Robert M. Simpson
was burned and listed in serious condition
killed

16th December 1958
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0247 306^th BW, MacDill AFB, Fl. Four minutes and forty seconds after takeoff the pilot reported a fire in the right aileron pack. The AC declared an emergency but failed to make his intentions clear regarding an emergency landing to departure control. Reports from the emergency aircraft were blocked by normal communications with other aircraft. Five minutes and fifty seconds after takeoff the pilot reported Number 6 still burning and declared his intentions to make an emergency landing on runway 040. The aircraft crashed into Tampa Bay killing all four aboard. The investigation revealed that the right aileron PCU flex return line pulled loose from the coupling prior to takeoff allowing hydraulic fluid to pool in the wing and drain into the canoe fairing above Number 6. The heat from Number 6 on takeoff ignited the fluid causing the “burnout” panel to be blown from Number 6 that resulted in the failure of the PCU hydraulic line pressure. The fire burned the aileron cable pulley that allowed the aileron cable to slip from the damaged pulley causing a complete loss of aileron control during the turn on to final approach.

Capt. George E. Whitney
AC
killed 1st/Lt. Joseph D. Berardi
Co-Pilot
killed 1st/Lt. William C. Bieler, Jr.
navigator
killed Maj. Marcel F. D'Amico
Instructor navigator
killed

5th January 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-7023 380^th BW, Plattsburgh AFB, NY. Aircraft destroyed in a crash when the left wing dropped and the aircraft rolled to the right. The left wing then hit the ground and the aircraft exploded.

Capt. William J. Duffey
AC
injured 2nd Lt. John Egan
Co-Pilot
killed Capt. James R. Golden
I P
injured Capt. Robert C. Love
observer
injured

21st January 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2035 509^th BW, Pease AFB, N. H The aircraft crashed when it hit the ground short of the runway at Plattsburgh AFB on a landing approach.

3rd February 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-3371 384^th BW, Little Rock, AFB, AK. The aircraft crashed while attempting to land

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

11th February 1959
[5th May 1959]

USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-6215 310^th BW, Schilling AFB, KS. The aircraft crashed on takeoff at Goose Bay killing two crewmen.

??
killed ??
killed

17th February 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-4208 307^th BW, Lincoln AFB, NE. The aircraft crashed on a test flight at Lockheed, Marietta, GA

??
killed ??
killed civilian
??
killed

24th March 1959
USAF RB-47E Stratojet 52-3389 70^th SRW, Little Rock AFB, AK.
The aircraft crashes after Number 6 engine catches fires and explodes

Captain K.L. Trask
AC
received the DFC

This is apparently the first time that five people have successfully escaped from a B-47 in flight.

2nd April 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2319 43^rd BW, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
The aircraft crashed 8 miles from Mountain Home, ID while attempting to land. The Number 4 engine was lost near Miles City, MT followed by a fire in Number 5. The fire was put out and the aircraft was diverted to land at Mountain Home. Nearing the base the Number 5 engine broke loose and became wedged between the tip tank and the leading edge. An emergency landing was attempted but the altitude could not be held.

All four were killed the CP ejected too low, the AC and Nav did not eject and the fourth man’s chute was ripped on bailout.

Col. Herbert I. Shingler
43^rd Bomb

Wing commander
killed
Captain James Harley Jr
killed Captain Charles A. Walker
killed 1^st Lt. Oscar B. Tucker Jr
killed

4th April 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0320 43^rd BW, Davis-Monthan AFB AZ. The aircraft crashed into a mountain nineteen miles from Davis-Monthan making a night weather approach

Maj. Kermit Wagner
killed 1^st Lt. Thomas A. Wilkie
killed Lt. Richard L. Anderson
killed

6th May 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-7041 306^th BW, MacDill AFB, FL. The aircraft crashed and burned on an aborted takeoff killing the Co-Pilot. The three other crewmembers escaped with minor injuries. Three firemen received minor burns during the rescue effort

??
escaped
minor injuries Co-Pilot
killed ??
escaped
minor injuries ??
escaped
minor injuries

8th May 1959
USAF B-47E 52-0179 2^nd BW, Hunter AFB, GA The aircraft left the runway and was destroyed

20th May 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0491 40^th BW, Schilling AFB, NE. The aircraft ran off the runway.

2nd June 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-3344 22^nd BW , March AFB, CA Crashed five miles south of base

Lt Col Donald D. Wynn
killed Maj. John W. Thomas
killed 1st Lt. James M. Browning
killed Captain Thomas Cairney
was seriously burned and hospitalized

4th June 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-2365 308^th BW, Hunter AFB, Savannah Georgia.
The aircraft inadvertently landed on a taxiway following an in flight emergency. The aircraft went off the end of the taxiway and exploded when it hit a ditch killing all crewmen aboard except for the observer who survived

Captain William Ceasar Savoca
AC
wing commander and chief safety officer at Hunter Air Base,
died as result of crash on 10th June 1959 Capt. James M. Watson, Jr.
Co-Pilot
killed Captain Gorden Mode
navigator
survived T/Sgt. Meyer Gray
crew chief
killed

possibly
Lt. Colonel John Thompson
confirm
he was on board

11th June 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2129 308^th BW, Hunter AFB, GA. Number6 engine blew up and the aircraft was deemed to be uneconomical to repair. The aircraft was sent to salvage

1st July 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-15805 306^th BW, MacDill AFB, FL. The aircraft crashed over the Atlantic near Lajes

Roy From
AC
ejected ??
ejected Carter
navigator
ejected was there a fourth crew member?

17th September 1959
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2126 4347CCTW, SAC, McConnell AFB, KS Practice in-flight refuelling. Made emergency landing at Bergstrom AFB 5 miles north of Bryan, TX. following engine explosion (No. 5) resulting in aircraft fire

Capt. James David Diamantople
IP
survived 1st Lt. Herbert Roscoe Jordan
pilot
survived 1st. Lt. Marvin I. Helm
CP
survived S/Sgt. Charles B. Smith
CE
survived A1/C James E, East, Jr.
survive

8th October 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-5248 307 BW, Lincoln AFB, NE Crashed during an ATO takeoff killing all four aboard.

1^stLt. Joseph R. Morrisey Jr
AC
killed Major Paul R. Ecelbarger
Instructor pilot
killed Captain Lucian W. Nowlin
Navigator
killed
Captain Theodore Tallmadge
Navigator
killed

21st October 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0606 96^th BW, Dyess AFB, TX. The aircraft crashed making a landing at Dobbins AFB

the four man crew escaped safely.

egressed safely
egressed safely
egressed safely
egressed safely

21st October 1959
USAF RB-47E Stratojet 52-0702 90^th SRW, Forbes AFB, Topeka, KS. The aircraft crashed near the Lake of the Ozarks

??
killed ??
killed ??
survived ??
survived

Some reports state two crewmen were killed and two survived. Did three men eject?

3rd November 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-205 306^th BW, MacDill AFB, FL A fire between Number 4 and Number 5 engines forced the crew to bailout at 11,000 feet over the Gulf of Mexico. The aircraft crashed into the Gulf.

Maj. Morris O. Beck
ejected
missing 1^st Lt. George W, Eggleston
ejected
missing 1^st.Lt. Franklin D. Harrod
navigator
ejected
rescued Sgt. Norman W. Rume
ejected
missing

17th November 1959
USAF TB-47B Stratojet 50-0021 4347^th CCTW, McConnell AFB, KS The aircraft crashed on take off from Whiteman AFB
The aircraft was mis-trimmed nose down

Capt. Herbert J. Edwards
I P
killed Maj. Edgar Jodoin
pilot
killed 1st/Lt. Robert Lee Westrup
Co-Pilot
killed A/1C James Redmond II
crew engineer
killed

17th November 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2136 100^th BW, Pease AFB, NH. Authorized for reclamation on this date.

17th December 1959
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51- 7082 384^th BW, Little Rock AFB, AK. The aircraft was destroyed in a collision with an F-102 over James Bay, Ontario, Canada

Captain Roy Miner
AC
escaped
ejection presumed

1^st Lt. Theodore C. Adams
Co-Pilot
escaped
ejection presumed

1st Lt. Hunt
navigator
missing presumed killed

1st Lt. Horn
extra Co-Pilot
missing presumed killed

The F-102 pilot, 1st Lt. Gaylord Beryl Treu, missing presumed killed

30th December 1959
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2261 19^th BW, Homestead AFB, FL. Crashed one minute after takeoff at Torrejon Air Base, Spain

Captain

Alfred Z. Lobell
AC
killed

Captain Albert J. Harding
Co-Pilot
killed

1^st Lt. James A. Rasmussen
navigator
killed

Captain Felix F. Flaitz
instructor

navigator
killed

1st January 1960
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-5243 380^th BW, Plattsburgh AFB, NY
A landing gear relay failure led to a ground accident. The aircraft was on alert with a nuclear weapon and ATO. The aft gear collapsed breaking the rear fuselage and rupturing the rear fuel tank spilling fuel all over the alert ramp. The drains were frozen and JP-4 covered the alert ramp. Unbelievably the command post hit the klaxon and the crews started their engines and taxied to the end of the runway. Fortunately none of the spilled fuel ignited. The aircraft was recorded as having been sent to reclamation on January 13.

5th January 1960
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-566 40th BW, Schilling AFB, KS
The aircraft was having trouble during refuelling when the aircraft went into inverted spin and crashed near Hugatan, KS. Only one crewman survived from the four man crew.

??
survived ??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

14 January 1960
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0498 40^th BW, Schilling AFB, KS The aircraft crashed while making a tower flyby for a gear check at Eielson AFB, Alaska

Two crewmembers were killed and two survived the crash.

27th January 1960
USAF RB-47E Stratojet 52-0814 3970^th CSG
The aircraft landed short of the runway at

Torrejon AB, Spain. sent to reclamation on March 10^th.

All the crewmembers survived. The aircraft was

10th February 1960
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2256 4347^th CCTW

surplus to Tinker AFB, OK on

January 28, 1960
It was reclaimed in February 1960

18 February 1960
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-5239 4347^th CCTW, McConnell AFB, KS Salvaged December 2, 1960

18th March 1960
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-7028 306th BW, MacDill AFB, FL Post maintenance flight. Loss of powers, problems with landing gear. Main gear collapsed during landing. The three crew survived egressing on the ground

Maj. George L. Peabody
AC 1st Lt. Orville P. Vereen
Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Victor L. Hackman
Navigator

23rd March 1960
USAF B-47B Stratojet 51-2154 4347^th CCTW. McConnell AFB, KS It was sent to reclamation on April 4, 1960

31st March 1960
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-1414 384th BW, Little Rock AFB, AK. Exploded in flight. Three crew killed. Civilian casualties [two fatal caused by falling debris]

,

LtC Reynolds J. Watson
killed 1st Lt. Thomas G. Smoak
Co-Pilot
survived
did he eject?? Capt. Hertbert J. Aldridge
killed S/Sgt K. E. Brose
killed

31st March 1960
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-1414 384^th BW, Little Rock AFB, AK

The aircraft exploded in flight.

One crewman managed to escape, the three others were killed as well as two civilians on the ground who were killed by falling aircraft debris. The debris fell on two housing areas two miles apart setting eight houses on fire. Those killed in the explosion were Lt Col Reynolds J. Watson, Captain Hertbert J. Aldridge, and S/Sgt K. E. Brose. The two civilians killed were Jimmy Hollowbaugh and Mrs. Andrew I. Clark. 1^st Lt. Thomas G. Smoak, the Co-Pilot, was hospitalized with burns and injuries.

http://okwreckchasing.org/521414.html

13th April 1960
USAF RB-47E Stratojet 52-0716 90th SRW

The aircraft crashed near Perrin, MO. killing twocrewmembers. The crew consisted of an instructor pilot, two students, and a crew chief. There

was no navigator aboard and the students were B-47 Co-Pilots TDY to Forbes to upgrade to ACs. The aircraft was flying above its optimum operational altitude trying to avoid thunder storms but without a navigator to guide them they flew into a thunderstorm where the down drafts and updrafts literally tore the aircraft apart. Captain Joseph Harter and the crew chief survived. Harter was tossed about like a rag doll as he descended in the storm cloud and landed in the middle of the lake. Physically beaten by his ordeal in the storm cloud, he barely made it to shore.

29th April 1960
USAF RB-47H Stratojet 53-4309 55th SRW, Forbes AFB, KS Crashed eight miles south of Topeka

Capt. Paul Jones
AC
killed 1st Lt. Carl Heaberlin
Co-Pilot
killed 1st Lt. Granville Harkrader
Navigator
killed

1st July 1960
USAF RB-47H Stratojet 53-4281
38th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing based at Forbes Air
Force Base, Kansas, and temporarily flying out of Brize-Norton Royal Air Force Base in England
The aircraft was shot down in international waters over the Barents Sea by Soviet PVO Strany MiG-19s

Maj. Willard[William] A. Palm
AC
killed

Captain Freeman Bruce Olmstead
Co-Pilot
ejected
recovered by Soviet trawler
taken captive
released from Lubyanka prison January 1961

Captain John R.

McKone
navigator
ejected
recovered by Soviet trawler
taken captive
released from Lubyanka prison January 1961

1st Lt. Dean B. Philips [Phillips]
electronic warfare officer
killed

Captain Eugene E. Posa
electronic warfare officer
killed

1st Lt. Oscar L. Goforth
electronic warfare officer
killed

USAF Boeing RB-47 Stratojet reconnaissance bomber BuNo 34281 operating from RAF Brize Norton flown by Major Willard G. Palm, Co-pilot Capt. Freeman. Bruce Olmstead and Navigator /bombardier Capt. John R. McKone was shot down at 30,000ft. over the Baltic Sea on the northern Artic coast [ over the Barents Sea in the area of the Kola Peninsula] of the Soviet Union by a MiG flown by Capt. Vasily A. Polgakov. Four crew were killed. McKone and Olmstead were picked up in International water by a Soviet trawler. They were taken by the Russians and held in Moscow's Lubyanka Prison. They were released on 25-1-1961*. Other source gives release
4-1-1961
[Fighting Jets p.86-87 - Time Life Pub.] & [*Osprey Book B-47 p. 164]

I2th July 1960
22:15
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-2274 19th Bomb Wing (SAC)
Homestead AFB, Florida
also seen as 19th
Number 4 turbine wheel disintegrated forced the crew to abandon the aircraft 70 miles northwest of Homestead near Lake Ockeechobee, FL

M.E. Saunders
AC
ejected Captain Cassius N Davison
Co-Pilot
ejected unk
nav
ejected

12th August 1960
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-6227 380th BW, Plattsburgh AFB, NY. Landed short and caught fire. Badly damaged.
Crew egressed on ground

14th September 1960
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-1967 380th BW, Plattsburgh AFB, NY Part of a three ship cell heading for Brize Norton. Mid-air collision with 51-7047 300 miles west of Shannon, Ireland. Landed at Shannon, Ireland.

Capt. John Brennan
AC Capt. Richard Glogowski
Co-Pilot; Lt. John Cornochan
navigator

14th September 1960
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-7047 380th BW, Plattsburgh AFB, NY Part of a three ship cell heading for Brize Norton. Mid-air collision with 53-1967 300 miles west of Shannon, Ireland.

Capt. Robert C. Huber
AC
missing presumed killed 1st Lt. Duane E. Bartlett
Co-Pilot
missing presumed killed 1st Lt. Gary L. Simpson
navigator
missing presumed killed

The three man crew from 51-7047 were never found and were presumed to have been killed. Unknown whether or any of them ejected.

27th September 1960
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-047 306th BW, MacDill AFB, FL. Crashed in Tampa Bay after explosion caused engine fire

crew rescued by a cabin cruiser and a Coast Guard cutter.

14th October 1960
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-556 340th BW, Whiteman AFB, MO Crashed and burned while on a GCA approach

Major Harold J. Shea
AC 1st/Lt. Ludlow O. Clements
Co-Pilot 2nd/Lt. Frederick J. Schilke
Pilot 1st/Lt. Ralph L. Fickling
Navigator

All crewmembers survived

8 November 1960
USAF EB-47E Stratojet 53-1886 301st BW, Lockbourne AFB, OH. Crashed at the end of the runway having lost two engines at take-off

Capt. Booker N. Vass
AC
killed 1st Lt. Curtiss L. Ford
Co-Pilot
killed Capt. Russell Walton Cross
Navigator
killed Capt. Mark L. La Pointe
ECM operator
killed T/Sgt. William H. Reed
ECM technician
killed

4th January 1961
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-4244 100th BW, Pease AFB, NH th 2 in a three ship MITO takeoff and crashed after losing control shortly after takeoff.

Captain Thomas C. Weller
AC
killed 1st Lt. Ronald Chapo
Co-Pilot
killed 1st Lt. J. A. Wetherbee
navigator
killed S/Sgt. Stephen J. Mikva
crew chief.
killed

9th January 1961
USAF RB-47 Stratojet 52-0766 4347th CCTW, McConnell AFB, KS wing caught the ground causing the aircraft to cart-wheel, break into three sections, and burst into flames killing all three aboard.

Capt. Bryson Foster
instructor pilot
killed 2nd Lt. Robert Robinsky
student
killed 1st Lt. John S. Keller
student
killed

12th January 1961
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-533 22nd BW, March AFB, CA
The aircraft crashed after takeoff about five miles from the Palomar Observatory. The crew of four successfully bailed out but one crewmember was killed when he hit a tree. The probable cause of the accident was an autopilot malfunction.

Captain Orville W. Wray
aircraft commander
ejected
OK 1st Lt. Kenneth W. Baisden
co-pilot
ejected
OK Captain Salvador Orosco
navigator
ejected
OK Lt.Col. Erwin L. Williams
40
instructor navigator
(flying as extra crewmember)
bailed out
hit a tree, killed

22nd February 1961
USAF EB-47E Stratojet 53-2169 301st BW, Lockbourne AFB, OH
The aircraft was a Phase V ECM aircraft with five crewmembers aboard, and it crashed near Bowling Green, KY. The AC lost control at 15,000 feet during a night refuelling under marginal weather conditions.

Captain William Gillespie
AC
killed ??
Co-Pilot
killed ??

killed ??
navigator
ejected
survived instructor navigator
bailed out but did not survive

24th February 1961
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2347 40th BW, Forbes AFB, KS
The aircraft crashed near Hurley, WI, while flying a low-level route after an engine support pin sheared allowing the engine to drop, there were no survivors

[see also 2nd May 1961]

Capt. James P. Garrett
AC
killed Lt. Theodore M. Stalmach
Co-Pilot
Killed Lt. Gary H. Hanify
Navigator
killed Lt. Charles F. Weise
Pilot
killed

21st April 1961
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0475 384th BW, Little Rock AFB, AR. Aircraft left the runway, caught fire, and was destroyed

2nd May 1961
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2331 40th BW, Schilling AFB, KS. Crashed near Hurley, WI on a low-level route only two miles from where another 40th BW aircraft had crashed on February 24.

Capt. Frank Mead Ill
AC
survived 1st Lt. Demosthenis D. Hariton
Co-Pilot
killed Capt. John Hil
navigator
injured
[broken right shoulder and a broken left leg] Capt. Dale B. Rasmussen
instructor pilot
killed

1th8 June 1961
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2111 307^th BW, Lincoln AFB, NE
The aircraft crashed after take off when an inboard engine caught fire

Capt. Russell Holst
AC
killed Wally Wesner
Co-Pilot
survived Capt. Albert Marinich
Navigator
killed Capt. Alan Matson
Co-Pilot
killed

Was there a fifth crew member on board ??

19th August 1961
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0296 303rd BW, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ Explosion while the aircraft was in level Flight, killing two of the four men aboard.crashed fifteen miles southeast of Las Animas, CO

1st Lt. Raymound E. Glaub
AC
killed ??
A 1/C Richard Jones
killed ??

1st September 1961 EB-47E Stratojet
Blue Cradle aircraft. 52-0423 376th BW, Lockbourne AFB, OH. Crashed on take-off -drag chute was deployed.
Destroyed by fire
No fatalities

15th November 1961
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0347 98th BW, Lincoln AFB, NE. Crashed after takeoff.

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

27th November 1961
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-1905 100th BW, Pease AFB, NH. Crashed into the trees short of the end of the runway on final approach at Plattsburgh AFB, NY

Capt. Robert Carrigan
AC
killed 1st Lt. Herb L. Smith
Co-Pilot
killed Al /C Robert L. Martin
Asst. Crew Chief
killed Capt. William L. Markey
navigator
survived

5th January 1962
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0615 22BW, March AFB, CA. Crashed on take off

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

16th January 1962
circa 14:00
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2119 380th Bombardment Wing
Plattsburgh Air Force Base Missing west of Lake Champlain, on training mission practicing low-altitude bombing runs over Watertown between Lake Ontario and the Adirondack wilderness, nearly 150 miles from Plattsburgh

Aircraft Commander
1st Lt. Rodney D. Bloomgren
Missing Presumed Dead

Co-Pilot
1st Lt. Melvin Spencer
Missing Presumed Dead

Navigator
1st Lt. Albert W. Kandetski
Missing Presumed Dead

Observer
A1C Kenneth R. Jensen
Missing Presumed Dead

20th January 1962
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-2377 ?06th BW, MacDill AFB, FL.
The aircraft crashed after take off at Tulsa, OK at Skiatook, OK,

A rupture caused an explosion in the aft auxiliary fuel tank.

??
AC
ejected ??
Co-Pilot
ejected ??
navigator
ejected

10th April 1962
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0459 384th BW, Little Rock, AFB, AR The crew was scheduled to fly a 50-8 training flight that included air-refueling, flying the Seahorse low-level route, dropping an MB-4 training bomb (blue devil) on the Matagordo range, and a series of bomb runs against the Matagordo RBS site. After completing their mission, the aircraft headed for the Palacios VOR. Enroute, the pilot decided to fly a series of “lazy eights.” During the maneuver, the pilot lost control of the aircraft, and it broke-up and crashed two miles south of Collegeport, Texas

Maj. Robert E. Goodman
AC
killed 1st/Lt George R. Wilson
Co-Pilot
survived
[did he eject ??] Captain Leo E. McComb
navigator
killed

15th May 1962
also seen as
15th March 1962
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-6230 340th BW, Whiteman AFB, MO. Aircraft caught fire and exploded killing four firemen and injuring 18 others.

Capt. Robert S. Celmer
AC 1st/Lt. Charles A. McComas, Jr.
Co-Pilot
injured Capt. Richard Bauer
Navigator Al /C James A. Underwood
acting crew chief
injured A2/C John Carroll
assistant crew chief
injured

The crew survived. Egressed on the ground

6th July 1962
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-6211 310th SAW, Schilling AFB, KS
The aircraft broke up in the air after Number 2 and Number 3 engines caught fire and exploded ripping off the wing outboard of the engines.The force of the explosion shook the ground and it was seen over a great distance.

?? ??
Co-Pilot
ejected safely ??

19th July 1962
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-4218 307th BW, Lincoln AFB, NE. Emergency landing at Des Moines, IA. Burned on runway.
Crew egressed safely on ground

23rd July 1962
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-390 96th BW, Dyess AFB, TX Crashed into Emigrant Mountain, Montana at 8,000 feet starting a forest fire

Captain Joseph W. "Bill" Faulconer
29
El Dorado, Kansas
killed 1st Lieutenant David Thomas Sutton
24
Miami, Oklahoma
(co-pilot)
killed 1st Lieutenant Frederick J. Hixenbaugh
24
Burton, West Virginia
killed Lt. Lloyd G. Sawyers
29
Cisco, Texas
killed

3rd August 1962
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0526 509th BW, Pease AFB, NH. Crashed after power loss caused by broken fuel line

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

22nd August 1962
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0553 303rd BW, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. crashed into a mountain in Idaho while flying a low-level route

LtC. Raymond N. McDonald, Jr.
AC
killed Capt. William C. Lebbs, Jr.
Co-Pilot
killed Major Glen A. McClure
Navigator
killed

9th September 1962
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-4234 On a flight from Edwards AFB to the Willow Grove NAS, it crashed just after takeoff from Tinker AFB

??
killed ??
killed

Only two crew on board

26th September 1962
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-7027 306th BW, MacDill AFB, Fl.
The aircraft crashed on takeoff, the crew bailed out over Tampa Bay

Captain. Robert E. Glenn
AC
ejected
Captain Thomas

D. Irvin
Co-Pilot
ejected
1/Lt. Claude D. Young
navigator
ejected
killed

27th September 1962
USAF RB-47K Stratojet 53-4279 55th SRW, Forbes AFB, KS Crashed on takeoff, having lost the th 6 engine

Lt Col James Woolbright
AC
killed 1st Lt. Paul Greenawalt
Co-Pilot
killed Capt. Bruce Kowol
Navigator
killed S/Sgt. Myron Curtis
crew chief
killed

27th October 1962
USAF RB-47H Stratojet 53-6248 55th SRW, Forbes AFB Crashed on take off at Kindley AFB, Bermuda

Maj. William A. Britton
AC
killed 1st Lt. Holt J. Rasmussen
Co-Pilot
killed Capt. Robert A. Constable
Navigator
killed Capt. Robert C. Dennis
observer
killed

11th November 1962
[12th ?]
USAF RB-47H Stratojet 53-4297 55th SRW, Forbes AFB, KS. Crashed at takeoff at MacDill

Capt. William E. Wyatt
AC
killed Capt. William C. Maxwell
Co-Pilot
killed 1st Lt. Ronald M. Rial
navigator
killed

11th January 1963
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2097 307th BW, Lincoln AFB, NE The aircraft crashed while attempting to make an emergency landing at McConnell AFB, KS.

Captain Paul Pudwell
AC
remained with the aircraft to keep it from crashing over a populated area
killed

Captain Frank Medrick
Co-Pilot
ejected
Captain Harry Jones
navigator
ejected

4th February 1963
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2134 307th BW, Lincoln AFB, NE
The AC was landing at

Greenham Common in a snow storm with a crosswind that caused the aircraft to drift right of the runway. The AC was attempting a go-round when Number 6 did not accelerate, resulting in a shift of thrust that caused a wingtip to drag. As the AC was fighting to put the aircraft on the ground, the Co-Pilot, Captain Richard C. West, ejected and was killed

Captain Paul Canney
AC
no ejection
survived Captain Richard C. West
Co-Pilot
ejected
killed Lt. Don Hickman
navigator
no ejection
survived S/Sgt. Bobby Odum
no ejection
survived

21st February 1963
USAF B-47E 52-563 98^th BW, Lincoln AFB, NE. The aircraft crashed on a low level route near Springfield, MN. The aircraft was departing the “Iron Horse” low level route when an outboard engine mount failed. Both the and the navigator were unable to eject and were killed. All four aboard killed

Capt. Donald Livingston
AC
ejected
killed

Lt. Michael Rebmann
Co-Pilot
ejected
killed

1/ Lt. Thomas Hallgarth
navigator
killed

Lt.C. Lamar Ledbetter
instructor navigator
killed

7th March 1963

USAF

B-47E Stratojet

53-4226

307th BW, Lincoln AFB, NE

The aircraft crashed on takeoff

The AC managed to get the aircraft high enough to allow the crew to eject

safely

AC, Maj. N.V. (Jim) Meeks
was killed when his lap belt failed because a gas port

hole was not drilled when it was manufactured

Lt. Larry

Talovich
Co-Pilot
ejected
survived

Arthur Ingle
second Co-Pilot/fourth man
ejected
survived Captain Clifford Cork
nav
ejected
survived

3rd May 1963
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0051 9th SAW, Mountain Home, ID Collision with KC-135 which landed safely at Mountain Home. Crashed near Yellowstone National Park

Captain Frank G. Zumbra
AC
killed Captain Bruce A. Chapman
Co-Pilot
ejected and survived
Captain Loren R. Matthews
navigator
killed
S/Sgt. Lawrence E. Harrison
crew engineer
killed

11th July 1963
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2160 98th BW, Zaragoza, Spain. crashed while making an emergency landing. One fatality

19th August 1963
USAF B-47E 53-2365 310th BW, Schilling AFB, KS mid air near Irwin, Iowa Crew details below - help needed to match crew to airframe

19th August 1963
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-6206 310th BW, Schilling AFB, KS mid air near Irwin, Iowa

Captain Richard Smiley
AC
survived Captain Peter J. Nacchei
Co-Pilot
killed. Captain Allen M. Ramsey Jr.
navigator
survived

LtC. William W. Thomas
AC
killed Captain Leonard Theis
Co-Pilot
survived Captain Richard Snowden
navigator
survived

20th August 1963
USAF QB-47 Stratojet Elgin Air Force Base Veered off course on its landing approach and crash landed on a stretch of road that ran parallel to the runway. Two cars were crushed by the crash landing, killing two occupants

10th November 1963
USAF WB-47E Stratojet 51-2420 55th WRS, Air Weather Service, MATS The aircraft landed 1,775 feet short of runway 340 at Lajes AB, Azores. The aircraft was returning to the states after flying weather reconnaissance for a fighter deployment across the Atlantic to Turkey. Aircraft damaged beyond repaire

5th February 1964
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-1868 380th BW, Plattsburgh, NY. Damaged when it landed short and engines 3, 4, and 6 were torn off.

6th February 1964
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0366 9th SAW, Mountain Home, ID. crashed on take in adverse weather conditions [fog?]

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

27th March 1964
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0321 384th BW, Little Rock AFB, AR. exploded and burned, killing the four-man crew and two children playing near a barn

??
killed ??
killed ??
killed ??
killed

21st April 1964
USAF B-47E Stratojet 51-7049 Det. th1 55th WRS, Air Weather Service, MATS. Crashed on takeoff at Eielson AFB, AK.

??
AC
badly burned Co-Pilot
badly burned Capt. Warren S. Hillis
navigator
killed Major Conrad L. Leinhart
evaluator
killed T/Sgt. Charles S. Heckman
special equipment operator
killed

26th May 1964
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2296 509th BW, Pease AFB, NH. Crashed on landing at Upper Heyford.

Capt. Robert L. Lunden
[Lundin ?]
AC
survived LtC. Robert E. Johnson
Co-Pilot
badle burned. Returned to flying duty.
[Killed in C-130 crash at Biggs Army Field]
1st Lt. James V.Mullen
pilot
survived Capt. Lowell L. Mittlestad
27
Elmhurst, Illinois

[also seen as Robert E. Mittelstad]
died in aircraft.

26th May 1964
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0525 509th BW, Pease AFB, NH Damaged by B-47E 53-2296 crash landing

3rd June 1964
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2363 307th BW, Lincoln AFB, NE Participating in a night MITO takeoff when a fire in th 3 forced them to abort the takeoff on the take-off roll. Aircraft was destroyed by fire

LeRoy McMath
AC
Safe ground egress Stanley Tooney
Co-Pilot
Safe ground egress Tom Package
navigator
Safe ground egress

27th July 1964
USAF B-47E Stratojet 53-2366 376th BW, Lincoln AFB, NE Crashed on a night takeoff when the aircraft would not accelerate

Capt. Thomas Sutton
AC
killed
1st Lt. David C. Williams
Co-Pilot
killed
1st Lt. Terrance P. Murphy
navigator Major John F. Sakray
navigator

2nd December 1964
USAF B-47 Stratojet 53-2398 380th BW, Plattsburgh AFB, NY The landing gear collapsed as the aircraft was landing

8th December 1964
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0339 100th BW, Pease AFB, NH. The aircraft crashed on takeoff

Major Daniel J. Campion Jr.
AC
killed Capt. Truman A. Burch
Co-Pilot
killed Major John R. North
Instructor navigator
killed Capt. Bennie W. Forrester
navigator
killed

26th February 1965
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-0171 100th BW, Pease AFB, NH. Collision with KC-135 collided during an air refueling and blew up off the coast of Newfoundland.

Capt. James B. Reddig
AC
killed Major Charles E. Michigan
instructor pilot
killed Capt. Milton S. Stone
Co-Pilot
killed Capt. Frank Velazquez
navigator
killed

There were no survivors of the four man B-47 crew or of the KC-135 crew.

3rd April 1965
USAF EB-47E Stratojet 53-2320
Tell Two 55th SRW, Forbes AFB, KS Crashed due to crosswind landing at Incirlik, Turkey

Maj. Walter E. Savage
AC
survived Capt. John W. Dubyak
Co-Pilot
survived Capt. Gary L. Jacobs
Navigator
killed Capt. Barry L. Hammond
Electronic Warfare Officer
survived Capt. Albert T. Parsons Electronics Warfare Officer
Died later of injuries

28th April 1965
USAF RB-47H Stratojet 53-4290 55th SRW, Offutt AFB, NE Attacked by North Korean MiGs over the Sea of Japan. The damaged aircraft landed at Yokota AFB, Japan

LtC Hobart D. Matheson
AC 1st Lt Dubuy Jr.
Co-Pilot Capt. Robert A. Rogers
Navigator Capt. Robert C. Winters
EWO supervisor 1st Lt. George Back
EWO 1st Lt. Joel J. Lutkenhouse

Wednesday 21st July 1965
USAF B-47E Stratojet 52-160 509th BW, Pease AFB, NH. Made belly landing when landing gear failed to deploy. Aircraft had repeatedly flown in circles over Pease AFB and the Atlantic in attempts to lower gear for nearly seven hours. Refuelled several times. Four man crew OK

Captain Yale R. Davis Jr
31
Salina, Kansas
AC Lt.Col. James B. Price
40
Waco, Texas
instructor pilot ?? ??

29th December 1965
USAF NRB-47E Stratojet 53-4261 Aeronautical Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command, Holloman AFB, NM. Crashed on takeoff at Holloman, near Alamogordo, and was struck off charge on January 27, 1966. Two killed. Were there only two crew on board?

Captain James S. McIntyre
Dayton, Ohio
pilot
killed Major Loren H. Brooks
Fairborn, Ohio
killed