Incident
A training aircraft operating out of Randolph Air Force Base experienced an engine fire while flying in the traffic pattern. One of the right engines caught fire during the circuit. Five crew members successfully bailed out and parachuted to safety. The aircraft then went out of control, dove into the ground, and crashed in a cornfield, bursting into flames.
Casualties
Ten crew members were killed in the crash. The crew consisted of Maj J. F. Klein (pilot), Cpt A. H. Thomas (pilot), Cpt B. F. Elliott (pilot), 2nd Lt M. I. Silverman (radar observer), 2nd Lt C. E. Brown (navigator), 2nd Lt T. R. Olson, T/Sgt R. D. Smith, T/Sgt W. T. Looman, A1c R. E. Johnson (instructor gunner), A1c J. W. Nienaber (flight engineer), A2c Ira R. Hubbert (radio operator), A2c C. E. Manley (tail gunner), A2c D. C. Patton (left gunner), A2c R. A. Sackhoff (central fire control gunner), and A2c A. L. Stuckel (right gunner).
Probable Cause
According to official findings, the probable cause of the accident was an engine fire in flight.