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Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress accident at Glenrock, United States of America, 25 Feb 1943 (42-5102)

Glenrock, United States of AmericaFlight

On February 25, 1943, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (registration 42-5102) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Glenrock, United States of America in flight. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It is believed that the loss of control occurred after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation while cruising in poor weather conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

It is believed that the loss of control occurred after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation while cruising in poor weather conditions.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The airplane departed Casper on a practice bombing exercise. While cruising in poor weather conditions and icing conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed some 40 km north of Glenrock. All 10 crew members were killed. Crew: 2nd Lt Louis E. Machala Jr., pilot, 2nd Lt Ned J. DeVries, copilot, S/Sgt John W. Madden Jr., flight engineer, S/Sgt John F. Elson, assistant flight engineer, 2nd Lt Harry M. Cannon, navigator, S/Sgt Eugene D. Giles Jr., radio operator, S/Sgt Alfred W. Fuller, assistant radio operator, 2nd Lt Joseph N. Hershman, bombardier, S/Sgt Robert C. Parrott Jr., air gunner, Sgt James C. Fisher, air gunner.

Probable cause (official findings): It is believed that the loss of control occurred after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation while cruising in poor weather conditions.

Related events

Same operator

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