What happened
The B-17G Flying Fortress initiated a standard departure from runway 23, heading toward the Azores. During the initial climb phase, while ascending between 200 and 400 feet in light rain conditions, the aircraft experienced a sudden left wing drop. Witnesses described the motion as resembling a stall or a diving turn. The plane then descended at an angle of 30 to 40 degrees before disappearing behind nearby trees. It impacted the ground with its left wing first and immediately exploded, creating a fireball estimated to be 200 to 300 feet high. All ten crew members were killed in the accident.
Findings
The official investigation was unable to determine the definitive cause of the incident. However, investigators believed an engine stall was the likely factor. Although maintenance had recently been performed on the flight indicators, this work was determined not to be a contributing element to the crash.