Incident Details
While cruising in a blizzard at an altitude of 30,000 feet, the crew encountered severe turbulence. The aircraft began an uncontrollable descent. Both pilots were able to eject, while three other occupants were killed when the airplane crashed in a snow-covered, wooded area on Savage Mountain. The aircraft was totally destroyed.
Crew
The crew consisted of six members: Major Thomas W. McCormick (pilot), Captain Parker C. Peedin (copilot), Major Robert E. Townley (bomb aimer), Major Robert L. Payne (navigator), and Technical Sergeant Melvin F. Wooten (tail gunner). Majors Payne and Townley, along with T/Sgt Wooten, were killed in the crash.
Probable Cause
According to official findings, the probable cause was that due to severe atmospheric turbulence while cruising in the blizzard, the tail detached from the main fuselage, causing the aircraft to become uncontrollable.