13 fatalities

Kirtland AFB Takeoff Accident with 13 Fatalities (44-86329)

Kirtland AFB (Albuquerque), United States of AmericaTakeoff (climb)

On July 14, 1945, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 44-86329) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Kirtland AFB (Albuquerque), United States of America during takeoff. 13 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 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed shortly after departing Kirtland Air Force Base, resulting in the deaths of 13 crew members and leaving one survivor.

What happened

The incident occurred immediately following departure from Kirtland AFB. The aircraft encountered a catastrophic failure during the initial climb phase, leading to a crash on the ground. At the time of the accident, there were fourteen individuals aboard the machine. Tragically, 13 crew members lost their lives in the event. The sole survivor was the pilot, who sustained injuries but survived the impact.

Findings

The specific technical or operational factors contributing to the crash are described as unknown in the available records. No further details regarding mechanical malfunctions, weather conditions, or human error have been provided in the source material.