8 fatalities

Eight Killed in Bomber Crash Near Malmstrom AFB (42-65355)

Malmstrom AFB, United States of AmericaTakeoff (climb)

On February 15, 1950, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 42-65355) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Malmstrom AFB, United States of America during takeoff. 8 people were killed. 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)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A US Air Force bomber crashed and exploded shortly after takeoff from Malmstrom AFB during a search and rescue mission for a missing Convair B-36, killing eight crew members and injuring seven.

Accident

The aircraft was dispatched from Spokane Air Force Base on a search and rescue mission for a Convair B-36 that had been missing since the previous day. After a technical stop at Malmstrom AFB, the bomber took off early in the morning to resume the patrol. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of about 100 feet, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion approximately 5 kilometers southwest of the airbase. Eight crew members were killed and seven others were injured.

Crew

The crew consisted of:

  • Maj Clyde Butts, pilot (killed)
  • Cpt Lester V. Johnson Jr., copilot (killed)
  • Cpt Johnathan M. Herbold, copilot (killed)
  • 1st Lt Herbert S. Findley, navigator (killed)
  • 1st Lt John S. Bomberg, bombardier (killed)
  • S/Sgt Robert E. Fisher, flight engineer (killed)
  • Cpl James V. Fulton, radio operator (killed)
  • S/Sgt James Di Ploro, radio operator (killed)
  • Lt Frederick N. Willard (injured)
  • M/Sgt Earl E. Everet (injured)
  • S/Sgt Troy E. Evans (injured)
  • S/Sgt Victor Jacquot (injured)
  • S/Sgt Charles J. Wilson (injured)
  • Sgt Clarence R. Abernathy (injured)
  • Cpl Raymond D. Brandel (injured)