Accident Overview
On an unspecified date, two Boeing B-29 Superfortress aircraft were involved in a mid-air collision over a prairie approximately 11 miles northwest of Stockton. The first aircraft, a B-29-70-BW Superfortress registered 44-69939, was carrying a crew of 11 and flying at an altitude of 26,000 feet. The second aircraft, a B-29-50-MO Superfortress registered 44-86364, was carrying a crew of 10 and was flying about 1,000 feet above the first.
Sequence of Events
While cruising at its higher altitude, one of the engines of the second B-29 failed. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude and cut across the path of the first B-29. Both aircraft collided at flight level 260 (26,000 feet). Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control and dove towards the ground. During the descent, two crew members from the first B-29 and one crew member from the second B-29 were able to bail out. The three individuals who parachuted were found unhurt. The remaining 18 occupants of both aircraft were killed when the aircraft crashed in the prairie.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be loss of control following an engine failure.