Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress accident at Ordway, United States of America, 24 Jan 1943 (42-5334)
On January 24, 1943, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (registration 42-5334) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Ordway, United States of America in flight. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain. It is believed that at the time of the accident, weather conditions were considered as below minima. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
Controlled flight into terrain. It is believed that at the time of the accident, weather conditions were considered as below minima.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The airplane departed Pueblo Airfield at 1654LT on a night bombing exercise. In the evening, weather conditions deteriorated with limited visibility due to snow falls. It impacted the slope of a mountain left wing first and crashed in a huge explosion near Ordway. The airplane was totally destroyed and all 10 crew members were killed. Crew: 2nd Lt Edward E. Woodward Jr., pilot, 2nd Lt Lester A. Cattron, copilot, Sgt Charles D. McDonald, flight engineer, S/Sgt Carl E. Simpson, radio operator, 2nd Lt Norval W. Kelley Jr., navigator, 2nd Lt Hascall J. Young, bombardier, S/Sgt Charles J. Burns, air gunner, 2nd Lt Martin J. Walden, air gunner, 1st Lt Taylor D. Hunt, air gunner, 2nd Lt Vincent T. Larney, air gunner.
Probable cause (official findings): Controlled flight into terrain. It is believed that at the time of the accident, weather conditions were considered as below minima.