9 fatalities

Aircraft crash near Nairyah due to engine failure (44-61510)

Nairyah, Saudi ArabiaFlight

On May 11, 1948, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 44-61510) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Nairyah, Saudi Arabia in flight. 9 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crash was attributed to an engine failure that led to a loss of control. 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 in a desert area near Nairyah following an engine failure, resulting in the deaths of all nine crew members on board.

What happened

The incident occurred when the aircraft experienced a mechanical issue involving its powerplant. Following this engine failure, the machine lost stability and went out of control. The uncontrolled descent continued until the airframe impacted the ground in a remote desert region situated near Nairyah. The crash was fatal for everyone on board, with all nine crew members losing their lives in the accident.

Findings

Official investigations identified the primary factor leading to the disaster as the malfunction of the propulsion system. The loss of engine power resulted in a complete loss of control, which directly caused the collision with the terrain.

Probable cause

The crash was attributed to an engine failure that led to a loss of control.