Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress accident at Westover AFB, United States of America, 9 Jul 1946 (43-39136)
On July 9, 1946, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (registration 43-39136) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Westover AFB, United States of America during landing or approach. 25 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It was determined that the crew started the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to fly below the minimum safe altitude. Due to poor visibility (night, clouds and rain falls), the crew was unable to distinguish the hill. 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
It was determined that the crew started the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to fly below the minimum safe altitude. Due to poor visibility (night, clouds and rain falls), the crew was unable to distinguish the hill.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The crew was completing a flight from Gander to Mitchell AFB, Long Island, with an intermediate stop in Westover AFB. While descending to Westover, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and thunderstorm activity, and turn about two hours over the area for improvement. On final approach, while flying at a height of 800 feet, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Tom (1,000 feet high) located about 8 miles northwest of the airport. The aircraft crashed about 180 feet from the summit and was totally destroyed, killing all 25 occupants. Crew: F/O Herman J. Valdrini Jr., Cpt Henry A. Lebrecht, 1Lt Wayne L. Austin, F/O Samuel A. Turrentine, Sgt Daniel R. Roe, Pfc Howard E. Carson, Pfc Eulogio Sanchez, Pfc Rex A. Tansey. Passengers: Lt Frank G. Meriam, Lt Wilfred U. Johnson, Lt George E. Orford, Hugh J. Worth, Lee Winnard, Russell S. Scott, Alfred L. Warm, Arnold J. Simons, Ernest R. Gillis, George R. Benfield, George E. Fleming, Arthur C. Miller, Stanley P. Warshaw, Gregory S. Davenport, David F. Archilles, Lt Pasquale P. Coviello, Mr. Arthur Bailey (American Red Cross).
Probable cause (official findings): It was determined that the crew started the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to fly below the minimum safe altitude. Due to poor visibility (night, clouds and rain falls), the crew was unable to distinguish the hill.