Consolidated B-24 Liberator accident at Bassett Peak, United States of America, 18 Jan 1943 (41-11887)
On January 18, 1943, a Consolidated B-24 Liberator (registration 41-11887) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Bassett Peak, United States of America in flight. 11 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The official cause of the accident was attributed to a pilot error, although the accident report indicated that the tail section was not found in the wreckage. The tail was found many years later several km away. 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
The official cause of the accident was attributed to a pilot error, although the accident report indicated that the tail section was not found in the wreckage. The tail was found many years later several km away. Thus, speculation is that an inflight structural failure may have caused the crash.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
While performing a night training mission out from Davis-Monthan AFB, the four engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed on Bassett Peak located in the Galiuro Mountains, northeast of Tucson. SAR operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the airplane nor the crew was found. The wreckage was spotted almost two months later in an isolated area. All 11 crew members were killed. Crew: 2nd Lt John L. Wasson, pilot, 2nd Lt Charles A. Beaucond, copilot, Pvt Henry C. Peterson, flight engineer, S/Sgt Robert E. Story, assistant flight engineer, Sgt Alman L. Porter, radio operator, Pvt Murty J. Huckaby, radio operator, 2nd Lt Joseph Ferio, bombardier, 2nd Lt Frederick E. Neal, bombardier, S/Sgt Ernest M. Breier, air gunner, Sgt Henry P. Pelletier, air gunner, Sgt Stephen A. Safko, air gunner.
Probable cause (official findings): The official cause of the accident was attributed to a pilot error, although the accident report indicated that the tail section was not found in the wreckage. The tail was found many years later several km away. Thus, speculation is that an inflight structural failure may have caused the crash.