Boeing B-29 Superfortress accident at Lochgoilhead, United Kingdom, 17 Jan 1949 (44-62276)
On January 17, 1949, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 44-62276) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Lochgoilhead, United Kingdom in flight. 20 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The exact cause of the accident was not determined with certainty. However, the assumption that the loss of control was caused by heavy icing conditions was not ruled out. 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.
Probable cause
The exact cause of the accident was not determined with certainty. However, the assumption that the loss of control was caused by heavy icing conditions was not ruled out.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The aircraft was performing a flight from RAF Scampton (Lincolnshire) to Schilling AFB (Smoky Hill AFB) in Salina, Kansas, with an intermediate stop in Keflavik. While flying over Scotland at an altitude of 8,500 feet, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and requested to ATC the permission to climb to 14,400 feet. Shortly later, at a speed of 500 km/h, the four engine aircraft hit the slope of the Stob na Boine Druim-fhinn mountain located two miles northwest of Lochgoilhead. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 20 occupants were killed. Crew: 1st Lt Sheldon C. Craigmyle, pilot, 1st Lt Myrton P. Barry, copilot, 1st Lt Richard D. Klingenberg, navigator, 1st Lt Robert A. Fritsche, bombardier. Passengers: T/Sgt Delbert E. Cole, M/Sgt Wayne W. Baker, T/Sgt John B. Lapicca, S/Sgt Malcolm W. Bovard, Sgt Anthony V. Chrisides, Sgt Rufus W. Mangum, Pfc Jack L. Heacock, M/Sgt Henry P. Prestoch, T/Sgt Frank M. Dobbs Jr., Sgt Cecil G. Jones, Sgt Charles W. Hess, Pfc Robert Brown Jr., T/Sgt Rufus G. Taylor, Sgt Paul W. Knight, Pfc Frederick N. Cook, Pfc Bruce J. Krumhols.
Probable cause (official findings): The exact cause of the accident was not determined with certainty. However, the assumption that the loss of control was caused by heavy icing conditions was not ruled out.