B-52_Stratofortress

Work in Progress
DETAIL, NAMES, Photos appreciated

Aircraft by type

B-52 Stratofortress
DRAFT LISTING

Date	Air Force	A'cft	Unit / Serial	based	crashed	crew	photo	seat
53‑0384
16th February 1956	USAF	B-52B	53‑0384	93 BW	Near Tracey Sacramento, Ca. Starboard forward alternator failed in flight, culminating in an uncontrollable fire which caused aircraft to break up.	? ejected
						? ejected
						? ejected
						? ejected
						? killed
						? killed
						? killed
						? killed

53‑0393
16th September 1956 Also reported as having occurred on 17/9/56	USAF	B-52B	53‑0393	93 BW	Returning to base caught fie. Lost a wing in subsequent dive. Crashed near Highway 99, nine miles southeast of Madera, California	Major Benjamin R. Ostland plane commander survived
						Capt. William J. Vetter survived
						? killed
						? killed
						? killed
						? killed
						? killed

52‑8716
30/ 11 /56	USAF	B-52B	52‑8716	93 BW	Near Castle AFB, Ca. Crashed soon after take‑off on night mission.


10th January 1957	USAF	B-52D	55‑0082	42 BW Loring AFB, Me	Crashed in New Brunswick, ten miles from air base	killed
						killed
						killed
						killed
						killed
						killed
						missing presumed killed
						missing presumed killed
						1st Lt Joe L. Church co-pilot ejected
						It is believed between 1 and 4 of the crew ejected


29th March 1957	Boeing	JB-52C	54‑2676	Boeing	Destroyed during Boeing test flight from Wichita, Ks. Aircraft experienced complete loss of AC electrical power due to defective constant speed drive during negative G conditions. Aircraft then broke up and crashed	Body found in fuselage
						Body found in fuselage
						ejected, taken to a hospital in Tulsa
						ejected, taken to a hospital in Tulsa


6/ 11 /57	USAF	B-52B	53‑0382	93 BW	Crashed on landing at Castle AFB, Ca. Landing gear lever latch failed during touch and‑go landing, resulting in gear retracting while still on runway


12th December 1957 16:02 est	USAF	B-52D	56‑0597	92 BW Fairchild AFB, Wa.	Crashed at Fairchild AFB, Wa. Incorrect wiring of stabiliser trim switch resulted in loss of control and caused aircraft to crash at end of runway	killed
						killed
						killed
						killed
						killed
						killed
						killed
						killed
						survived


11th February 1958	USAF	B-52D	56‑0610	28 BW Ellesworth Air Force Base	Crashed short of runway at Ellsworth AFB, SD. Fuel pump screen iced over, leading to total power loss on final approach	? survived injured
						? survived injured
						? survived injured
						? survived injured
						? survived injured
						? survived injured
						Capt. John O'Connell Jr. killed
						1st Lt. Kenneth B. Kaeppler killed
					two crew and three on ground killed


26/6/58	USAF	B-52D	55‑0102	42 BW	Destroyed by ground fire at Loring AFB, Me


29th July 1958	USAF	B-52D	55‑0093	42 BW Loring AFB	Crashed into farmer's field three miles south of Loring AFB, Me. Flew into ground in bad weather	? killed
						? killed
						? killed
						? killed
						? killed
						? killed
						? killed
						? killed
						Maj. Moody E. Denton Instructor pilot suffered cuts and burns survived


8th September 1958 1730 hrs (5:30 PM) Pacific Time	USAF	B-52D	56‑0661	92 BW Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington	Crashed three miles north‑east of Fairchild AFB, Wa. Mid‑air collision about 1,000' above the eastern approach to the runway. followed by an explosion and fire	16 crew died as a result of the collision. 8 parachutes were observed, but 7 were on fire A tailgunner ejected uninjured (sole survivor of B-52 crash in July or August 1958) weapons officer survived by ejecting
	USAF	B-52D	56‑0681


17th September 1958	USAF	B-52D	55‑0065	42 BW	Crashed on the August Kahl farm, ten miles south of St Paul, Wi. Broke apart in the air	Major Surles O. Gillespie killed
						Capt. Richard J. Cantwell navigator killed
						Lt. William F. Huskey killed
						Tech. Sgt. Leon R. Lew killed
						? Killed
						? Survived
						Capt. James D. Taylor killed
						Capt. James D. Tahlor killed
						Are the two named Captains actually the same person - mis-reported in the media


10th December 1958	USAF	B-52E	56‑0633	11 BW	Routine night training mission. Crashed at Altus AFB, Ok. Improper use of stabiliser trim during overshoot	Major Byard F. Baker pilot ejected
						Capt. Melvin Eckstein killed
						Maj. Willis E. Brady killed
						1st Lt. Carl D. Mackall killed
						1st Lt. Doyle K. Salley killed
						S.Sgt. Thomas Lory killed
						S.Sgt. Clarence R. Leger killed
						Tech. Sgt Norman L. Kohlmeyer killed
						S.Sgt. Harold J. Funnell killed


29/ 1 /59	USAF	B-52B	53‑0371	93 BW	Crashed at Castle AFB, Ca. Hapless take‑off aborted at high speed.


23rd June 1959	USAF	B-52D	56‑0591	Boeing	Burns, Or. Horizontal stabiliser suffered turbulence‑induced failure at low‑level One report states lost in accident at Larson AFB, Wa (aircraft was probably flying from there).	? Killed
						? Killed
						? Killed
						? Killed
						It is believed that a fifth crew member died in the crash. All crew were Boeing personnel


10th August 1959	USAF	B-52C	54‑2682	99 BW Westover AFB Chicopee, Mass	Attempting to make an emergency landing at Goose Bay, the only landing option not affected by foggy weather conditions. Crashed before it could make the landing, into Spruce Swamp Fremont , 20 miles east of New Hampton, NH. Nose radome failed in flight.	Capt. George E. Kusch ejected
						? ejected OK
						? ejected OK
						? ejected OK
						? ejected OK
						? ejected OK
						? ejected OK recovered two hours later
						? ejected OK recovered two hours later
						All eight crewmen parachuted to safety landing in Candia


15/ 10/59	USAF	B-52F	57‑0036	4228 SW Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi	It was night, weather was clear, and there was no turbulence. Shortly after the B-52 began refueling from the KC-135, the two aircraft collided. Mid‑air collision with KC‑135A during airborne alert duty 32,000 feet Hardinsberg, Kentucky	instructor pilot ejected
						pilot ejected
						electronic warfare officer ejected
						radar navigator ejected
						co-pilot failed to leave the B-52
						navigator failed to leave the B-52
						instructor navigator failed to leave the B-52
						tail gunner failed to leave the B-52

2/2/60

1 /2/60

USAF

B-52G

58‑0180

72 BW

Incorrect trim setting during touch‑and‑go approach. Crashed Ramey AFB, PR


1 /4/60	USAF	B-52D	56‑0607	92 BW	Burned out on runway at Fairchild AFB, Wa. Upper wing structure failed.


9th December 1960	USAF	B-52D	55‑0114	99 BW Westover AFB	Crashed near Barre, Vermont
						Major Henry Luscomb flight instructor ejected
						Capt William T. Combs pilot ejected
						1st Lt James Saravo co pilot ejected
						Capt Ronald D. Little navigator ejected while aircraft descending to low level route
						1st Lt George M. Davis electronic warfare officer ejected
						Staff Sgt Pierre Maheau gunner ejected died
						Major Carl E. Keyer radar operator ejected
						Airman 1st Class Charles E. Morse electronic tech ejected
FEEDBACK	The B 52 started its flight in Springfield Mass at Westover AFB and did what they called the watertown bomb run in mid NY. They travelled as far north as the St. Lawrence seaway passing over Massena NY. During the night the bomber rolled over and lost altitude. The navigator thinking she was breaking up ejected without direction from the pilot. When he did there was a loud noise and the pilot thinking she was breaking up ordered the crew to eject. The plane had righted itself and the instuctor on board yelled to the pilot and co pilot to stay with the bird. In the end the instructor was the only one left so he ejected as well. The plane continued to fly on making large up and down spirals and crashed in Plainfield Vermont 50 miles from where the crew left her. All survived, except for Sgt Maheaux , they were injured and had frost bite due to cold and snow in the area of the Adirondac Mountains. Maheux was found seven months later and either the chute hadn't opened or he landed on a rock killing him instantly. The plane crashed and burned in an open field making a crater 350' long, 30' deep and 30' wide. There were no deaths or injuries on the ground. Details from Bill Lyon in emails April 2008


15th December 1960	USAF	B-52D	55‑0098	4170 SW	Crashed at Larson AFB, Wa. Aircraft had earlier collided with tanker during air‑to air refuelling. Starboard wing failed and aircraft caught fire during landing roll.


19/ 1 /61	USAF	B-52B call sign, FELON 22	53‑0390	334th Bomb Squadron, 95 BW Biggs Air Force Base, El Paso, Texas	Turbulence‑induced structural failure at high level, just north of Monticello, Ut.	Capt. John P. Marsh (pilot)
						1Lt. Thomas A. Stout (co-pilot) bail-out or ejection
						Capt. Harold S. Bonneville (radar navigator)
						2Lt. Jerome R. Calvert (navigator) bail-out or ejection
						1Lt. Ivan G. Petty (electronic warfare officer)
						Tsgt. David A. Forsythe (gunner)
						Ssgt. Lionel A. Terry (flight engineer) had parachuted to safety, but died of exposure
see also http://www.canyoncountryzephyr.com/april-may2004/felon22.htm


24/ 1 /61	USAF	B-52G	58‑0187	4241 SW	Fatigue failure of starboard wing after fuel leak at high altitude. Loss of control resulted when flaps selected during ensuing emergency approach to Seymour Johnson AFB Goldsboro, North Carolina:	Major Walter F. Tulloch ejected survived
						? ejected survived
						? ejected survived
						? ejected survived
						? ejected survived
						? killed
						? killed
						? killed


14th March 1961	USAF	B-52F	57‑0166	4134 SW Beale AFB	Near Yuba City, Ca. Cabin pressurisation failed, causing descent, with increased fuel consumption leading to fuel exhaustion before rendezvous with tanker. Aircraft was then abandoned by crew. Was engaged on airborne alert duty.	? ejected
						? ejected
						? ejected
						? ejected




						All eight survived, at least 4 ejected, two survivors taken to Fremont Hospital, Yuba City,three helicoptered to Beale AFB hospital, two suffered broken legs. MORE DETAILS APPRECIATED

	http://www.slide.com/s/MpzAlkpY4T9l3ViGx25PfxXfxjZXKO0z
30th March 1961	USAF	B-52G	59‑2576	4038 SW	Near Lexington, NC. Loss of control for unknown reason . Aircraft had logged 233 hours when accident occurred.	Capt. William Donald McCullen Commander & pilot
						Capt. William Woody Farmer co-pilot
						Capt. Robert Marsh Morgenroth Radar Navigator
						Captain George William Beale Observer
						S.Sgt.James Howard Fults Instructor Gunner
						Airman 1sr Class Robert Nathaniel Gaskey Student Gunner
						Major Wilbur Fred Minnich Navigator Survived
						1st Lt. Glen Charles Farnham EWO survived


7th April 1961	USAF	B-52B "Ciudad Juarez"	53‑0380 *"Ciudad* Juarez"**	95 BW Biggs AFB, Texas	Shot down by F‑100 of the 188^th TFS, New Mexico ANG when Firing circuit electrical fault caused inadvertent launch of missile. AIM‑9 Sidewinder Wreckage fell to earth on Mount Taylor, NM.	Capt. Donald C. Blodgett	(Aircraft Commander)
						Capt. Ray C. Obel ejected at 30,000ft using his bail-out oxygen bottle to survive as a 150kt jetstream carried him much further down the mountain. He was found two days later with a fractured back	(Co-pilot)
						Capt. Peter J. Gineris killed	(Navigator)
						Capt. Stephen Carter	(Bombardier)
						Capt. George D. Jackson	(ECM)
						2nd Lt. Glenn Bair killed	( ECM Student)
						S/Sgt. Ray A. Singleton	(Gunner)
						S/Sgt. Manuel L. Mieras (lost his legs due to accident injuries)	(Maintenance Controller)

14/ 10/61

15/ 10/61

USAF

B-52G

58‑0196

4241 SW

Off Newfoundland coast. Cause of loss not determined.

Date	Air Force	A'cft	Unit / Serial	based	crashed	crew	photo	seat
24th January 1963 3 p.m.	USAF	B-52C Stratofortress	53‑0406	99 BW SAC Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts	Crashed into mountain after stabilizer shaft broke during low level execise near Elephant Mountain Greenville, Maine USA	pilot, Lt. Col. Dante Bulli ejected - landed in tree - broke ankle
						copilot, Maj. Robert J. Morrison ejected - killed hitting tree on descent
						navigator Capt. Gerald Adler ejected fractured skull and three ribs were broken.
						Lt. Col. Joe R. Simpson, Jr - killed
						Maj. William W. Gabriel - killed
						Maj. Robert J, Hill - killed
						Capt. Herbert L. Hansen - killed
						T-Sgt. Michael F. O'Keffe - killed
						Capt, Charles G. Leuchter - killed
						LINK

30th January 1963	USAF	B‑52E	57‑0018	6 BW	tail snapped off in turbulence Sangre de Christo mountains, Mora, NM, USA	ejected OK
						ejected OK
						ejected OK
						ejected OK
						killed
						killed


19/ 11 /63 or 21 / 11 /63.	USAF	B-52E	56‑0655	6 BW	Destroyed by fire during maintenance at Walker AFB, NM


23rd December 1963	USAF	B-52F	57‑0043	454 BW SAC Columbus	Crashed ‑ minutes after take-off near Aberdeen, Mississippi	Maj. Carl M. Funk killed
						Capt. Elbert J. Andoe Co-pilot killed
						1st Lt. Anthony J. Linzi Navigator killed
						Capt Fred R. Curtis Radar Navigator killed
						Capt. Harry E. Bell Instructor Navigator killed
						1st Lt. Liam Rafferty EWO killed
						M.Sgt Lacy Potter tail gunner killed
						1st Lt Harry L. Grebe navigator killed
						2nd Lt. Leonard J. LeRose co-pilot killed

Monday
13th January 1964

USAF

B-52D

55‑0060
Buzz One Four

484 BW
Strategic Air Command
Turner Air Force Base

Excessive turbulence resulted in structural failure.
Cumberland, northwestern Maryland


Maj. Thomas W. "Tom" McCormick [pilot] ejected - survived - found Monday	Capt. Parker Caswell "Mack" Peedin [co-pilot] ejected -survived - found Tuesday	Major Robert L. Payne ejected found dead died of exposure	Major Robert L. Townley [bombardier] found dead in aircraft	Melvin Wooten [tail gunner] ejected found dead

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Lori Ann Haire web author of the Salisbury, Pennsylvania Historical Web Site that contains a detailed account of the loss for her help with extra information on this B-52 crash

7/2/64

8/2/64

USAF

B-52B

52‑0009

93 BW

Crashed at unknown location due to fire in hydraulic system

55‑0108

10th November 1964

USAF

B-52D

55‑0108

462 SAW
Larson Air Force base

Engaged on night low‑level mission. Crashed 60 miles south of Glasgow AFB, Mt

photo: John S. Koza


Capt. Guido J. Pizzeck Jr. aircraft commander killed	Capt. William G. Morris co-pilot killed	Capt. John H. Pulliam navigator killed	Capt. Jerry W. Berendzen navigator killed	1st Lt. Daniel C. Woodward EWO killed	1st Lt. David L. Harlan navigator killed	Tech. Sgt. Edwin Fonzy Arlington tailgunner killed

FEEDBACK

Thanks to John Koza who has provided extra information concerning the loss of 55-0108 including a photo of the memorial to the crew and newspaper cuttings of the event.
in emails 6th June 2008

57‑0179
18th June 1965	USAF	B-52F	57‑0179	441 BS 7 BW attached to 3960 Sw, USAF, Andersen	The first Arc Light raid on South Vietnam. Mid‑air collision with B‑52F 57‑0047 over the South Pacific Ocean while circling approximately 250 miles offshore at the point of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) awaiting KC-135As for pre-strike air refueling.	4 survivors, 8 fatalities among the 12 crewmen	Five of twelve crew aboard the two aircraft were known to have ejected, but one died in the sea of injuries after his ejection.
18th June 1965	USAF	B-52F	57‑0047	441 BS