1950s Elmendorf Radar Training Mission Ends in Talkeetna Mountains Crash (44-70039)

Mission Background and Aircraft Details The aircraft involved in the incident was a trainer conversion of a B-29 four-engine bomber. It was assigned to the 5040th Radar Evaluation Squadron, which was based at Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage. The crew was conducting a routine radar-calibration training mission that was scheduled to last approximately 10 hours. ## Flight Path and Crash Location During the flight, the aircraft was traveling south down the Susitna Valley in deteriorating weather conditions. The source indicates that the aircraft strayed 27 miles off its planned course into the Talkeetna Mountains. At 1822 local time, the aircraft crashed into an unnamed glacier at an altitude of 5,600 feet. The crash site was located approximately 39 miles southeast of Talkeetna, just northeast of Hatcher Pass. ## Casualties and Crew Roster The accident resulted in the deaths of six crew members and injuries to four others. The crew roster included Major Robert A. Butler, Captain Richard O. Seaman, Captain Erwin Stolfich, Captain Edward A. Valiant, 1st Lieutenant William J. Schreffler, and Airman Basic James R. Roberson, all of whom were killed. The surviving crew members were Staff Sergeant Calvin K. Campbell, Staff Sergeant Robert J. McMurray, Technical Sergeant Manuel Garza, and 1st Lieutenant Claire W. Johnson.