10 fatalities

Training aircraft crash near Smolan following engine failure (44-61713)

Schilling AFB (Smoky Hill AFB), Salina, United States of AmericaTakeoff (climb)

On July 15, 1948, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 44-61713) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Schilling AFB (Smoky Hill AFB), Salina, United States of America during takeoff. 10 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 into a field two miles southeast of Smolan after an engine failed shortly after takeoff from Smoky Hill Air Force Base, resulting in nine fatalities and three injuries among the crew.

What happened

The incident occurred during a local training flight departing from Smoky Hill AFB (also known as Schilling AFB). Shortly after liftoff, an engine failure was experienced. The aircraft subsequently descended into the ground, impacting a field located approximately two miles southeast of Smolan and four miles south of the airbase.

The impact forces destroyed the airframe. Of the total crew on board, nine members were killed in the accident. Four other crew members managed to eject from the aircraft before it struck the terrain. Among those who bailed out, one individual died, while the remaining three sustained injuries.