No fatalities

Engine fire leads to crew bailout near Randolph Air Force Base (44-87640)

Randolph AFB (Seguin), United States of AmericaFlight

On August 23, 1951, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 44-87640) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Randolph AFB (Seguin), United States of America in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was caused by an engine malfunction that resulted in an onboard fire. 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

An engine failure and subsequent fire forced the crew of an aircraft to abandon the plane before it crashed near Randolph AFB.

What happened

During the flight, a mechanical failure occurred when one of the engines malfunctioned and ignited. The resulting fire necessitated an immediate emergency response from the onboard personnel.

As the situation escalated, all eight crew members elected to perform an emergency bailout to escape the burning aircraft. Following the abandonment of the plane, the aircraft continued on its path until it impacted a field situated approximately three miles north of Randolph AFB. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe.

Findings

  • There were no fatalities or injuries reported among the crew following the bailout.
  • The primary factor leading to the abandonment of the aircraft was an engine failure and subsequent fire.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by an engine malfunction that resulted in an onboard fire.