ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 97421
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| Date: | Friday 26 February 1943 |
| Time: | 21:19 |
| Type: |  Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress |
| Owner/operator: | United States Army Air Force (USAAF) |
| Registration: | 42-29528 |
| MSN: | |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 11 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | Biggs Field, TX -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Take off |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Biggs Field, TX |
| return to same |
Crashed on takeoff at Biggs Field, near El Paso, Texas, during a nighttime formation training mission. Flew into terrain shortly after becoming airborne. The pilot survived. He stated to investigators that while following approximately 30 seconds behind another B-17 departing, he could not see the horizon after the end of runway lights. His vision followed the leading aircraft's lights and he began flying by instruments. Apparently the lead's propeller turbulence had caused his aircraft to drift to the right, and not gaining elevation, the bomber flew into rising, rough terrain. Investigators noted that had the landing lights been used during takeoff, the accident may have been avoided.
The crewmembers killed were:
Flt. Off. Charles G. Novak, T-000347, WI, Co-Pilot
1st Lt. James W. Bishop, O-735971, IL, Navigator
2LT Ernest F. Pasqua, O-734496, NY, Bombardier
Sgt. Victor A. Berreth, 19067469, CA, Flight Engineer
Sgt. Adelbert J. Burke, 11031324, RI, Radio Operator
S/Sgt. Joseph P. Baucom, 34037333, NC, Gunner
Sgt. Woodrow W. Erwin, 38180654, OK, Asst. Radio Operator
Sgt. Robert M. Parchman, 16097075, IL, Gunner
S/Sgt. Melvin P. Simms, 35468492, WV, Asst. Engineer
Sgt. Howard T. Speak, 6583351, CA, Passenger
Pilot, 2nd Lt. Edward M. Kelley, survived but with serious injuries.
Sources:
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/db.asp n
http://usaafdata.com/?q=search&page=1606&order=field..
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103700739/ernest-f-pasqua
Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945, Anthony J. Mireles
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 06-Oct-2021 08:53 | Cobar | Updated [Total fatalities, Total occupants, Departure airport, Source] |
| 30-Jul-2022 16:35 | Gumby778 | Updated [Time, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
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