Accident Overview
A United States Air Force B-52 bomber, named 'Ciudad Juarez,' was destroyed when an AIM-9B Sidewinder missile accidentally launched from an accompanying F-100A Super Sabre during a training exercise. The incident occurred after the bomber had departed from Biggs Army Airfield for a training mission with two F-100A Super Sabres.
Sequence of Events
The training mission involved simulated missile passes and tail-chase gun attacks. After completing five simulated missile passes and subsequent gun runs, the lead F-100A pilot, van Scyoc (the 188th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron's Safety Officer), maneuvered for a final Sidewinder practice run. As he closed with the B-52, his second AIM-9B missile unexpectedly left its launch rail, locked onto the B-52's left inboard engine pod, and exploded. The explosion severed the bomber's wing, causing it to go out of control and enter a dive.
Crew and Casualties
The B-52 carried eight crew members. Three were able to eject before the aircraft crashed on Mount Taylor. The remaining five crew members perished in the crash. The crew consisted of Captain Donald C. Blodgett (pilot), Captain Ray C. Obel (copilot), Captain Peter J. Gineris (navigator), Captain Stephen Carter (bombardier), Captain George D. Jackson (electronic countermeasures officer), Second Lieutenant Glenn Bair (ECM student), Staff Sergeant Ray A. Singleton (gunner), and Staff Sergeant Manuel L. Mieras (maintenance controller). Those who died were Captain Carter, Captain Jackson, Second Lieutenant Bair, and Staff Sergeants Singleton and Mieras.
Aftermath
The aircraft was destroyed upon impact with Mount Taylor. No further details about the investigation or aftermath are provided in the source material.
For additional information, refer to the archived account at http://www.angelfire.com/dc/jinxx1/images/Shootdown.html.