12 fatalities

C-124 Globemaster crash near Davis-Monthan AFB (44-84036)

Davis-Monthan AFB, United States of AmericaTakeoff (climb)

On December 16, 1947, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 44-84036) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Davis-Monthan AFB, United States of America during takeoff. 12 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

A military transport aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, killing twelve crew members and injuring eight others.

What happened

The incident occurred during the initial climb phase following departure from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Shortly after leaving the ground, the aircraft lost control while ascending. The plane subsequently impacted the terrain approximately 8 kilometers southeast of the airbase. Upon impact, the aircraft broke apart and caught fire, resulting in a massive explosion.

The accident resulted in significant loss of life on board. Twelve crew members were killed in the crash, while eight other personnel sustained injuries. The victims included officers and enlisted staff who were part of the flight crew at the time of the incident.