Incident Overview
On 12 March 1952, at 1350 Central Standard Time, two Boeing B-29 Superfortress aircraft, serial numbers 44-87774 and 44-62223, were involved in a mid-air collision approximately 19 miles north of Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Both aircraft were assigned to Randolph Air Force Base.
Damage and Consequences
The collision resulted in the separation of the tail section of the rammed aircraft, serial number 44-62223, from its fuselage, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable. Portions of the ramming aircraft, serial number 44-87774, were found along the flight path following the collision, indicating a strong possibility that all personnel in the forward section of that aircraft were incapacitated. Both aircraft subsequently crashed, with all personnel aboard.
Crew On Board
Aircraft 44-87774 carried the following crew members:
- M/Sgt Clyde L. Arnold, instructor engineer
- Cpl Wallace L. Bertog, flight engineer
- Pfc Donald L. Jameson, student gunner
- 1st Lt Lester H. Johnson, pilot
- Pvt Sanford L. "Sandy" Kerner, student gunner
- Maj Robert W. Padgett, student aircraft commander
- Pfc William E. Reynolds, student gunner
- 1st Lt Dale W. Scott, instructor pilot
Aircraft 44-62223 carried the following crew members:
- Pfc Arthur L. Hall, student gunner
- M/Sgt Ward W. Hovis, flight engineer
- Cpl Patrick H. Martin, instructor gunner
- M/Sgt Harrell B. Meyers, instructor engineer
- 1st Lt Robert D. Neu, student aircraft commander
- Cpt Donald L. Rottier, instructor pilot
- 1st Lt Moses G. Seals, pilot
Investigation
The official investigation into the collision was unable to determine the exact cause.