Boeing B-29 Superfortress accident at Guadalupe Peak, United States of America, 30 Jun 1945 (44-69943)
On June 30, 1945, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 44-69943) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Guadalupe Peak, United States of America in flight. 12 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: At the time of the accident, the aircraft was cruising at an insufficient altitude estimated between 5,000 and 5,400 feet by night. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
At the time of the accident, the aircraft was cruising at an insufficient altitude estimated between 5,000 and 5,400 feet by night. According to investigators, such flight should not be conducted by night as the crew was not familiarized with the topography of this region. No technical failure was pointed out on the aircraft. Also, the preflight briefing on behalf of the crew was incomplete.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
While cruising by night and low visibility, the four engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located south of the Guadalupe Peak, southeast of Pine Springs, west Texas. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 12 crew members were killed. They were conducting a night training sortie from Davis Monthan to Mobile and return. Crew (233rd Unit): F/O Eugene R. Chale, 1st Lt James Harrison Couch, 2nd Lt James M. Green, Sgt Aristo Landers, M/Sgt Orval R. Lawless, Cpl Ralph I. Martin, 1st Lt Joseph J. Mennen Jr., Pfc Clark J. Moore, Sgt Fayette H. Stanfield, F/O James A. Thomas, 2nd Lt Wesley A. Waldron, F/O Ernest E. Wilson.
Probable cause (official findings): At the time of the accident, the aircraft was cruising at an insufficient altitude estimated between 5,000 and 5,400 feet by night. According to investigators, such flight should not be conducted by night as the crew was not familiarized with the topography of this region. No technical failure was pointed out on the aircraft. Also, the preflight briefing on behalf of the crew was incomplete.