Boeing B 47 Losses and Ejections

Aircraft by type
Boeing B-47 Stratojet

All Losses & Ejections
The list now requires editing and the addition of further notes and graphics
Date Air Force A'cft Unit / Serial based crashed crew photo seat
major structural
18th August Boeing XB-47-BO 46-065 damage following Crew ??
1950 Stratojet [first prototype] stalling on OK
landing
Canopy came off
at high speed, on Boeing Test Pilot
11th May Moses Lake AFB, ??
XB-47 Stratojet 46-65 test flight 40M E Edward Scott Osler
1949 WA co-pilot safely landed the aircraft
killed in canopy accident
Moses Lake, WA
26th February
B-47A Stratojet 49-1904 Wichita MAP, KS mishap Robert T. Robinson
1951
19th March
B-47A Stratojet 49-1904 Eglin AFB, FL mishap Richard C. Neeley
1951
4th May 1951 B-47A Stratojet 49-1906 Eglin AFB, FL Landing accident Julian R. Abernathy
caught fire
8th August
B-47A Stratojet 49-2645 and was
1951
destroyed
USAF
18th August crash-landed at
B-47A Stratojet 49-1906 Eglin AFB, FL John G. Foster
1951 Wichita
USAF
"There were problems with the ejection seat equipment. The ejection seats were removed after an XB-47 accident in which
B-47A the pilot was killed. As a substitute, a bail-out spoiler was provided underneath the nose so that the crew entry door could
Note be used for egress"
[The Stratojet Association - Chapter 2]
On a
formation test
Chester A. Clothorp
1st flight - mid air
[Clotharp]
September B-47B Stratojet 50-0007 Wichita AFB, KS with B-47B 50- All on board killed
&
1951 024 three Miles
USAF Oppenheimer
north east of
base Wichita AFB
On test flight -
Boeing Test PilotDouglas
mid air with B-
1st Corbett "Doug"
47B 50-007
September B-47B Stratojet 50-0024 Wichita AFB, KS Heimburger All on board killed
three Miles north
1951 &
USAF east of base
Steve Gatti
Wichita AFB
Landing
2nd mishap at
Wichita AFB,
November B-47B Stratojet 50-0023 Wright- Olbert F. Lassiter
USAF
KS
1951 Patterson
AFB
15th
November B-47B Stratojet 50-0011 3520th CCTW
1951
USAF
16th Mishap on
November B-47B Stratojet 50-0019 Eglin AFB, FL John C. Foster
1951
USAF
landing
19th EDWARDS AIR

Boeing B-47B Routine test flight. rolled over on it's climb out and crashed a quarter of a mile west of the
November 50-006 FORCE BASE,
Stratojet runway shortly after a take-off at Edwards AFB, CA, Air Research and Development Command
1951 USAF California
Boeing
afternoon
Captain Joseph Major Robert A. Master Sergeant

"Joe" E. Wolfe, Jr Mortland Co-Pilot Christy N. Spiro
33 30 32
Chattanooga, Tenn. Clarion, Penn. Worcester, Mass.
Pilot killed killed
Assistant Chief of the LINK LINK
Experimental Test
Operations Branch
killed
LINK
19th 369BS David J. Williams

Mishap on
November B-47B Stratojet 50-0008 306BW
landing [RCAF ]
1951 MacDill AFB, FL
USAF
3rd December Structural

B-47B Stratojet 50-0019 Eglin AFB, FL David A. Himes
1951 problems
USAF
21st 6510AMS
Structural
December B-47B Stratojet 50-0014 6510AMG Russell E. Schleeh
problems
1951 Edwards AFB, CA
USAF
The aircraft
Kirtland AFB,NM, stalled, crashed,
B-47B Stratojet 50-026 4925th Test Grp. and burned
(Atomic) during an ATO
USAF
takeoff
26th March
1952
Capt. Arthur A. Capt. Francis H. 1st Lt. Chester M/Sgt. Allen Witt
Zalk Early W. Thew Crew engineer
AC Co-Pilot killed killed
killed killed
The aircraft
landed short in
B-47B Stratojet 50-0038 MacDill AFB
Tampa Bay on
USAF approach
11th April
1952
Capt. Henry Major W. Brazil Capt. Herbert J.
Williamson pilot Johnson
AC survived pilot
survived survived
Capt. Leonard Patrick

24th June Edwards AFB, CA,
B-47B Stratojet 51-2048 Farrell
1952 R&D Command
AC
USAF
306th BW, McCoy

AFB, FL.
3rd July 1952 B-47B Stratojet 50-0065 Caught fire and crashed near Myakka, FI
also seen as
USAF 360th McDill AFB
Lt C. Howard T. Weeks Capt. Herbert J. Maj. Raymond R.

36 Johnson Haggar
AC 30 31
killed Co-Pilot observer
[Instructor Pilot CO 367 killed killed
BS]
306th BW, McCoy

AFB, FL aircraft exploded in mid-air over Marianna, FL
High Speed Low Level Training Mission. Crashed in a small country town named “Marianna”
B-47B Stratojet 50-081
located in Northwest Florida.
USAF MacDill AFB two civilian fatalities
???
22nd July
1952
Maj. Frederick "Fred" E. Ewing Capt. Oscar W. Yon Capt. James H. Foreman Capt. Richard E. Francis
31 [Yow?] 29 28
Parker, Ind. 28 Birmingham, Ala Clay City, Ind
AC Eckley, W. Va. Pilot Observer
killed Co-Pilot killed killed
killed
21st February Damaged beyond

B-47B Stratojet 51-2392 Boeing / Wichita
1953 repair by fire
USAF
21st February Damaged beyond

B-47B Stratojet 51-2389 Boeing / Wichita
1953 repair by fire
USAF
19th March 3520th FTW bounced while

B-47B Stratojet 51-2085 Crew survived
1953 Wichita AFB, KS landing
USAF
3520th TFW
RB-47B Stratojet 50-035 Crashed while attempting to land
Wichita AFB, KS.
USAF
26th March
1953
Captain William W. Tiller Maj. Eugene J. Marx Maj. S. E. Tucker

31 31 Student-Co-Pilot
Sanford, Fla. Ellensburg killed
Instructor Pilot Student Co-Pilot
killed killed
306th BW, MacDill

AFB, FL.
B-47B Stratojet 51-2267 The aircraft stalled on the turn to final and crashed and burned at RAF Upper Heyford, UK
On a 90-day
USAF rotation to RAF
2nd July 1953 Fairford.
Major Thomas P. ?? ?? ??
"Tom" Russell killed killed killed
III
AC
killed
26th SRW,
YRB-47B Stratojet 51-2253 Lockbourne AFB, Crashed during touch-and-go's
OH
USAF
24th July
1953
Capt. Melvin F. Skiff ?? ??
AC killed killed
killed
.
91st SRW, 323rd

YRB-47B Stratojet 51-2226 SRS. Lockbourne left the runway, ground looped, caught fire,shooting touch-and-gos
AFB, OH
USAF
7th
September
1953
Major Charles S. 1st Lt. Harold W. Stone Major Cecil A. Hubbard
Graham Co-Pilot photo-navigator
AC survived survived
survived
Testing the Downward Ejection Seat System

USAF photo
USAF photo
USAF Downwards ejection trials from B-47 "052" from Elgin AFB. flown by pilot Bill Campbell, co-pilot Ralph Lusk.
Col. A.M. "Chic"
Henderson
B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 1
7th October 1953 USAF alt. 10,000ft. speed
203kt.
?? October 1953 B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 2 Mgsgt George Post
USAF
?? October 1953 B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 3

USAF

USAF

USAF
Lt. Hank Neilsen

USAF speed 390kt. Inj.
Lt. Ed. Sperry

7th October 1953 B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 7 alt. 10,000ft. speed
USAF 260kt.
Lt. Ed. Sperry
16th October 1953 B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 8 alt. 10,000ft. speed
USAF 325kt.
Lt. Ed. Sperry

21st October 1953 B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 9 alt. 10,000ft. speed
USAF 389kt. inj.
13th October 33rd BS/ 22 BW, Crashed while making a takeoff on the third touch-and-go. The aircraft crew had already spent
B-47 Stratojet 51-2096
1953 March AFB, CA two hours previously practising refueling.
USAF
Capt. Byron M. ?? ??
Steel killed killed
AC
killed
3540th FTW,
15th October TB-47B Stratojet 50-0034 crashed during touch-and-gos
Pinecastle AFB, FL.
1953 USAF
One person was killed. The AC was Capt. Carl M. Crenshaw.
caught fire and

303rd BW, Davis-
B-47E Stratojet 51-2440 explodedpractici
Monthan AFB, AZ.
ng air refueling
USAF
3rd December
1953
?? ?? ?? ??
killed killed killed killed
3540th FTW,
TB-47B Stratojet 50-0028 cart-wheeled and crashed during touch-and-gos
Pinecastle AFB, FL
16th USAF
December
1953
?? ?? ?? ??
B-47B Stratojet 51-2089 Wichita AFB, KS crashed while attempting to land

USAF
8th January
1954
Capt. Harold L. Pristi Lt. Dale D. Smith Lt. Charles C. Hogan

survived killed killed
22nd BW, March The aircraft struck a tree on the approach one mile east of Upper Heyford, cart-wheeled, and
B-47E Stratojet 52-0023
8th February AFB, CA crashed.
1954 USAF
?? ?? ?? ??
22nd The aircraft

2nd BW, Hunter exploded M/Sgt Curtiss L. Harrod
February B-47E Stratojet 52-0053
AFB, GA killed
1954 on the flight line
USAF
during refueling
5th March 303rd BW, Davis-

B-47E Stratojet 51-2416 The aircraft lost power on takeoff and crashed while deploying for Greenham Common
1954 Monthan AFB, AZ
USAF
?? ?? ?? ??
3520th CCTW Crashed while practicing low approaches on the Forbes radio range near the AFB after colliding
Forbes AFB with 50-0063
USAF
16th March
1954
Maj. Clifford Wonderly Capt. Kenneth Johnson 1st Lt. Richard Hornback
survived survived survived
3520th CCTW Crashed while practicing low approaches on the Forbes radio range near the AFB after colliding
TB-47B Stratojet 50-0063
Forbes AFB with 51-2092
USAF
16th March
1954
LtC. Sidney Smith Maj. Herbert White Maj. Lloyd Zuppan

killed killed killed
30th April Landed short at Kirtland AFB, NM. The aft gear collapsed and the rear fuselage was destroyed
B-47B Stratojet 51-2232 4925th Test Group
1954 by fire
USAF
44th BW, Lake

10th June Charles, LA
B-47E Stratojet 51- 5252 During refuelling went into spin, and crashed near Oujda, Morocco. Pilot killed
1954
USAF On TDY to Sidi
Slimane, French
Morocco
2nd BW, Hunter

B-47E Stratojet 52-0229 Bomb bay fire led to the aircraft being destroyed at Townsend, GA
AFB, GA
USAF
21st June
1954
?? ?? ?? ??
68th BW, Lake

B-47E Stratojet 51-17385 Crashed 8 miles from the end of the runway while on a GCA at RAF Fairford, UK
Charles AFB, LA
USAF
20th July
1954
?? ?? ?? ??
survived survived survived navigator
killed
Stratojet
27th July ARDC, Wright-

TB-47B Stratojet 50-0001 Crashed on takeoff (T.O.) from Tinker AFB, OK
1954 Patterson AFB, OH
USAF
Crashed on
51st BS, 68th BW,
takeoff
806th Air Division
B-47E Stratojet 51-2382 fromFairford
Lake Charles AFB,
when aircraft
USAF LA
stalled
6th August
1954
Capt. William A. Catto Capt. Don W. Johnson 1st Lt. Elon Friedman S/Sgt. Kennie Varney
AC Co-Pilot observer crew chief
24th Overshot the

310th BW, Smoky
September B-47E Stratojet 52-0285 runway. All aboard escaped safely
Hill, KS
1954 Destroyed
USAF
18th October 303rd BW, Davis- Crashed on

1954 Monthan AFB, AZ landing
USAF
?? ?? ??
AC Co-Pilot crew chief
survived killed survived
90th SRW, Forbes

RB-47E Stratojet 52-0770 Crashed ten miles from Olathe, KS. Went into a spin while making a VFR climb
AFB, KS
USAF
29th October
1954 Capt. Norman I. Capt. George H. Capt. Hassel O. Capt. Arthur F. Bouton,
Palmer Miller Green Jr.
32 33 32 31
Rochester, Indiana Burbank, California Newsite, Mississippi Littlerock, Arkansas
AC co-pilot instructor-pilot observer
ejected at low altitude killed killed killed
survived
25th
November
1954
also seen as 43rd BW, Davis
Monthan
Major accident at
B-47B Stratojet 52-0083 assigned to the
2nd Lakenheath
3910th ABG at
December USAF
Midenhall
1954
[was this the date
it was declared
DBR?]
No
10th st The aircraft was deploying to Lakenheath. Crashed in mountainous area 50 miles Ejection
321 BW, Seats
December B-47B Stratojet 51-2100 south of Sidi Slimane at
Pinecastle AFB, Fl
1954 Oulmes Fr. Morocco
USAF
??
Captain Dale H. Captain James 1st Lt. Max A. A 1/C Robert E.

Cooper McMullen Brunson Hudson
AC Bailed Out Bailed Out Bailed Out
Bailed Out recovered by ground recovered by ground
recovered by ground crew crew
rescued in poor
crew
weather conditions by
a 56th ARS H-19. Air
Sea Rescue SA-16s
an Navy PBYs from
Port Lyautey
029 collided with
another B-47
5th January 44th BW, Lake during refueling navigator ejected and was
B-47E Stratojet 52- 029
1955 Charles, LA and crashed, never found
USAF killing all the
crewmen
Collided with B-
47E 52- 029,
44th BW, Lake
Charles, LA.
5th January 029 during
B-47E Stratojet
1955 refuelling that
USAF crashed killing all
the crewmen.
damaged landed
safely
?? ?? ?? ??
3520th Flying
Training Wing,
B-47B Stratojet 51-2086 McConnell Air Force Barrel-rolled and crashed and exploded in field in Braman, Oklahoma with crew still aboard
base, Witchita,
USAF
Kansas
6th January
1955
Captain Wayne E. 1st Lt. Joseph C. Cook Captain William C. Berry
Andrew Sunland, Cal. Dayton. Ohio
Yellow Springs, Ohio Co-Pilot Observer
AC killed killed
killed
Engine exploded
19th Bomb
and tore the
SquadronStrategic
12th February right wing off the
B-47E Stratojet 51-7033 Air Command 22d
1955 aircraft while it
Bomb Wing. March
USAF was flying over
AFB, CA
Saskatchewan.
Captain Thomas
Pittmanthrown from
aircraft when it broke up
Lt. Col. Kenneth G. in mid-air survived three
Captain Lester E.
McGrew Major Robert Dowdy days in the sub-zero
Epton
Aircraft Commander Observer never left the weather without food.
Co-Pilot thrown from
ejected. Regained aircraft and died in the Picked up at 13:55
aircraft when it broke up
consciousness on crash Central Time by H-19
in mid-air
descent helicopter. Doctors were
forced to amputate the
lower part of his right leg
after he was rescued.
68th BW, Lake

B-47E Stratojet 52-0045 Crashed into a trailer park while attempting to land. Two civilian fatalities
Charles AFB, LA
USAF
28th February
1955
?? ?? ??
Five unsuccessful attempts to land the aircraft at Hunter AFB under GCA. Ran short of fuel
headed for Charleston AFB. where there was a
308th BW, Hunter 500 foot ceiling with 2 miles visibility in fog and haze. With fuel at the critical level the AC
B-47E Stratojet 52-0046 ordered the crew to bailout which they did safely
AFB, GA
15th March USAF
1955 Crashed near North, SC
bailed out bailed out bailed out bailed out
Crashed on
finals to landing
15th March 305th BW, MacDill
B-47E Stratojet 52-0490 at Ben Gurerir All crewmembers safely egressed the aircraft
1955 AFB, FL
AB, Morocco and
USAF
burned
Col. James W. LtC. James M. Maj. William W. A2/C Harold E.
Wilson Smith Richards Schultz
AC I.P navigator crew chief
305th BW C.O. survived survived survived
survived
The aircraft was returning to Forbes AFB from Lake Charles AFB when it was directed to
90th SRW, Forbes divert to Walker AFB, NM because of ice on the runway at Forbes. The AC elected to land at
RB-47E Stratojet 52-0742
AFB, KS Biggs but then decided to land at EL Paso International. Blowing dust had reduced visibility at
USAF Biggs to 1/2 mile. The aircraft crashed 1/2 short of the end of the El Paso runway.
25th March
1955
Capt. Joseph R. Maj. Jules M. 1st Lt John R.

Kingston Fantel Wilson
33 34 25
Medford Ma Topeka KS Appleton, N.Y
FEEDBAC
Thanks to Joseph R. Kingston Jr. (grandson) for providing the crew details of the above loss in an email received 11th October 2011
K
3200 Test Grp,

B-47E Stratojet 53-2277 Crashed into Castle Harbor on take off at Kindley AFB, Bermuda
Eglin AFB, FL
USAF
15th April
1955
?? ??
??
killed killed
killed
bnr bnr
18th April 26th SRW,

51-2054
1955 YRB-47B Stratojet Lockbourne AFB, Shot down off Kamchatka
Roman I
also seen as OH
USAF
17th April
1955
Maj. Lacie Neighbors Capt. Robert N. Capt. Richard E.
killed Brooks Watkins
killed killed
303rd BW, Davis

1st May 1955 B-47E Stratojet 52-0386 Crashed and burned on takeoff at RAF Fairford, UK
Monthan AFB, AZ
USAF
307th BW, Lincoln Lincoln AFB, Brake parachute failure. Overran runway returning from a night navigation
AFB, KS Nebraska training mission
27th May USAF
1955
also seen as
24th May
John Kodsi
?? ?? Sgt. Edward Seagraves
AC
survived survived survived
survived
301st BW,
B-47E Stratojet 51-7073 crashed and burned on takeoff
Barksdale AFB, LA
USAF
31st May
1955
Major William H, Lt Col Frank J.P. Major Robert J. Airman Richard C.
Perkins Rasor Waste Olivio
AC Co-Pilot observer crew chief
21st June 321st BW,

B-47B Stratojet 51-2112 Overran the end of the runway and destroyed by fire. All crew survived
1955 Pinecastle AFB, FL
USAF
B-47 Stratojet
14th July 52-0421 376th
EECM modified Crashed on takeoff at 12 minutes after midnight.
1955 Blue Cradle BW, Barksdale, LA
aircraft
USAF
2nd August 376th BW,

B-47E Stratojet 52-0397 Damaged beyond repair after turning off runway at Upper Heyford, UK
1955 Barksdale AFB, LA
USAF
43rd BW, Davis-
B-47E Stratojet 53-1847 Crashed near Tatum, NM, after refueling with a tanker.
Monthan AFB, AZ
USAF
3rd October
1955
?? ?? ??
killed Co-Pilot killed
survived
40th BW, Smoky Following air re-fuelling experienced uncontrollable engine fire in the wing aircraft crashed
Hill KS near Galva, KS
USAF
4th October
1955 AC Co-Pilot observer instructor observer bailed
ejected safely unable to eject bailed out bailed out through the out through the
through the open bomb open bomb bay. open bomb bay
bay.
320th BW
B-47B Stratojet 51-2231 March AFB, Crashed three minutes after takeoff.
California
USAF
13th October
1955
Capt. Edward A. Capt. David J. Major Thomas F. Capt. Joseph M.
O'Brien Jr. Clare Mulligan Graeber
pilot co-pilot navigator chaplain
Being ferried
from MacDill AFB
to Dobbins
AFB.Crashed
14th October while attempting
B-47E Stratojet 52-0500 305th BW crew escaped safely
1955 landing runway
USAF 27 at NAS
Atlanta, Georgia
breaking off the
tail
Capt.. James D. ?? ?? ??
Vitko survived survived survived
AC
survived
9th BW, Mountain Crashed shortly after taking off from Misawa AB, Japan. The AC ordered ejection before the
Home, ID aircraft crashed.
USAF
21st Oct.
1955
?? ?? ?? Observer
survived survived survived killed
97th BW, Biggs

B-47E Stratojet 51-7035 Blew up in flight, three miles southeast of Marlin, TX
AFB, TX
USAF
8th November
1955
03:45z
??
?? ??
killed killed
killed
30th
November RB-47E Stratojet 52-0785 26th SRW
Stalled and crashed at Lockbourne AFB. All crew survived
1955
USAF
1stDecember 310th BW, Smoky

B-47E Stratojet 52-0301 Blew up in flight
1955 Hill, KS
USAF
18th
19th BW,
December B-47B Stratojet 51-2286 mid-air collision with 52-535 on the outskirts of Tampa
Pinecastle AFB, FL
1955
USAF
Maj. Samuel L. Capt Robert Capt. Lynn E. Capt. Arthur M.

Castlebury Chamberlin Hunter Miller
AC instructor pilot observer Co-Pilot
306th BW, MacDill
B-47E Stratojet 52-0535 mid-air collision with 51-2286 near Mac Dill on the outskirts of Tampa.
AFB, FL
USAF
18th
December
1955
Capt. Robert B. Harris Capt. Samuel Brier Major Frederick A. Clark
AC Co-Pilot observer
B-47E Stratojet 52-0070 96th BW, Altus, OK Hit a telephone pole on practice instrument approaches at Amarillo, TX. Crashed, and exploded
USAF
3rd January
1956
?? ?? ??
715th BS, 509th

5th February
B-47E Stratojet 53-1831 BW, Walker AFB, Crashed at the end of the runway when the undercarriage failed to retract. Destroyed by fire.
1956
NM
USAF
7th February 2nd BW, Hunter

B-47E Stratojet 53-2304 Crashed and burned on landing. AC received major injuries
1956 AFB, GA
USAF
Smoky Hill AFB

B-47 Stratojet ?? Crashed and destroyed on radar acceptance flight near Westmoreland, KS
Salina, KS
USAF
10th February
1956
Lt. Col. Frederick G. Captain Thomas H. Lt. John J. Airman 1st Class Kenneth R.
Wheeler Waggoner Platt Patterson
35 27 26 22
Menlo Park, California New Castle, Indiana Jersey City, NJ Detroit, Michigan
10th February 55thSRW, Forbes

RB-47H Stratojet 53-4283 Crashed on take off from Ellsworth AFB, SD killing all six occupants
1956 AFB, KS
USAF
Captain Floyd Ray Captain William L. Captain Robert Eugene 1st Lt. Joseph E. 2nd Lt. Charles 2nd Lt. Joseph L.
Shirk Youman Lambiaso McHugh Gosney Petek
29 29 38 31 24 23
Rapid City Columbus, Ohio Peoria, Illinois Mobile, Alabama Kansas City, Mo. Pueblo, Colorado
killed killed killed killed killed killed
340th BW,
B-47B Stratojet 51-2344 Whiteman AFB, Structural failure. Crashed shortly after take
MO
USAF
27th February
1956
Capt. Robert R. Capt. James P. Capt. Frank J. 1st/Lt.. Jack Leon Peters
Hayes Gianakos Matuszewski AOB
AC pilot instructor AOB killed
369th Bomb One of a flight of four B-47s En route non-stop to Ben Guerir AFB. Did not make rendevous
52-0534
B-47E Stratojet Squadron, 306th with tanker refueling over the Mediterranean
Inkspot 59
BW MacDill AFB, FL Two unarmed nuclear devices never recovered
USAF
10th March
1956
?? ?? ?? ??
missing missing missing missing
presumed killed presumed killed presumed killed presumed killed
An explosion in the bomb bay tank led to structural breakup with the aircraft shedding its
3520 FTW,
B-47B Stratojet 51-2175 wings. The aircraft crashed near
McConnell AFB, KS
East Wichita
USAF
28th March
1956
Capt. William C. Craggs Lt.Col. William H. Dames 2nd /Lt. John C. Leysath
Wichita 39 24
AC Oconomowoc, Wisconsin North, South Carolina
killed pilot Co-Pilot
killed killed
5th April 1956

Crashed 15
372 BS Crashed near minutes after take
11:40
B-47 ? Stratojet 307 BW Ceresco,
also seen as off near Ceresco,
Lincoln AFB Nebrasks
6th April USAF
NE
Captain James W. 1st Lieutenant 2nd Lieutenant Airman 1C James J.
Sullivan Anthony C. Marcanti Lawrence A. Schmidt Berry
killed [Mercanti?] killed killed
killed
18th April
Stratojet ??
1956
USAF
98th BW
also seen as Crashed one mile short of the runway

2nd May 1956 B-47E Stratojet 52-0450
USAF 372 BS all crew were from the 345th Bomb Squadron
307 BW
Lincoln AFB
Captain Marion J. 2nd Lieutenant Captain Charles H. Staff Sergeant William

Perdue Linwood M. McIntosh Stonesifer F. Rockholt
33 22 35 24
San Antonio, Texas Dallas Maricopa, California Fellows, California
Aircraft Commander killed navigator/bombardier crew chief
number
Number 6
engine failed
and then
caught fire.
The crew was ordered to
97th BW, Biggs Aircraft
B-47E Stratojet 51-2442 bailout, only the navigator
16th May AFB, TX crashed in
survived.
1956 USAF the English
Channel, 12
miles
southwest of
Lands End
40th BW, Smoky

B-47E Stratojet 52-0565 Crashed and burned in a wheat field near Salina
26th June Hill AFB, KS
USAF
1956
Capt. Robert A. Galvin 1st Lt. Charles W. Ward Capt. Bruce C. Harris
AC Co-Pilot navigator
2nd July 1956 B-47 Stratojet 53-2304

USAF
40th BW, Smoky

B-47E Stratojet 52-0572 Crashed on take off
Hill AFB, KS
13th July
1956
??
The aircraft, carrying three un-fused nuclear devices, was performing touchand-goes at
307th BW, Lincoln Lakenheath, UK. On the fourth approach the aircraft began to porpoise and the AC attempted to
AFB, NE make a go-around. However, the right wing-tip dropped and dragged and the aircraft crashed
USAF being consumed in flames
27th July
1956
Capt. Russell R. 2nd Lt. Carroll W. 1st Lt. Michael T/Sgt. John Ulrich
Bowling Kalberg J. Selmo A&E technician
AC Co-Pilot observer kil
5th October stalled on take off after it developed engine

B-47E Stratojet 51-5230 22nd BW, March AFB, CA
1956 trouble
USAF
Capt. Joseph A. Santino Capt. Edmund S. Temple Lt. James L. Carter

10th October
One crew
1956
2nd BW, Hunter Air Force landed short and was destroyed while attempting member receiv
also seen as B-47E Stratojet 53-2301
Base, GA to land under GCA control ed major
1st October
USAF injuries
1956
25th October 4th BW, Lake Charles AFB,

1956 LA
USAF
??
Crash crews
Crashed and burned while it was attempting a
B-47E Stratojet 52-0151 22nd BW, March AFB, CA rescued all
GCA landing in foggy weather
four crewmen
USAF
31st October
1956
?? ?? ?? ??
rescued by crash crew rescued by crash crew navigator rescued by crash crew
rescued by crash crew
died the following day
96th BW
B-47E Stratojet 51-2421 Crashed on farm near Hobart, Oklahoma following engine problems
Altus AFB. Ok
USAF
Tuesday 6th
November
1956
Maj. Joseph E. Wilford Capt. Francis P. Capt. Lee D. Ellis, Jr. 1st Lt. Andrew J. Toalson
AC Bouschard instructor-aircraft observer Bartlesville, Oklahoma
killed pilot killed observer
killed killed
17th
November B-47E Stratojet 52-369 98th BW, Lincoln AFB, NE
1956 Destroyed on ground by an ANG F-80 that had landed in error on the
USAF
taxiway instead of the runway. F-80 pilot and two ground crew were killed,
17th four others were injured.
November B-47E Stratojet 53-4235 307th BW Lincoln AFB, NE
1956
USAF
24th
Major damage after it left runway on landing at
November B-47E Stratojet 51-5233 341st Bomb Wing Crew survived
Dyess AFB. Texas
1956
USAF
Control lost. Crashed near Port Arthur, CanadaThe aircraft was flying An Operational Readiness
Inspection, ORI, mission. Prior to refueling near Port Arthur, Canada, the AC was experiencing
30th difficulty with the aileron power unit. The AC and co- pilot were unable to correct the problem
301st BW, Lake
November B-47E Stratojet 52-3360 and the aircraft entered a shallow right bank. The AC ordered the crew to bailout when the
Charles AFB, LA
1956 right bank increased to 60 / 70 degrees and he believed it was impossible to regain control. Of
USAF
the four crew members, only the AC survived. At the time it was standard operating procedure
for units flying an ORI to carry nuclear weapons. Though official records make no mention of
it, a reconnaissance pilot from the 91st SRW, who located the crash site, stated they were
looking for the remains of the aircraft and the weapons that they were carrying
The AC ordered the crew to bailout only the AC survived
Maj. Robert L. Slane ?? ?? ??

AC killed killed killed
survived
15th January 379th BW, Homestead

B-47E Stratojet 52-0049 Fire reported as aircraft was about to land. Crashed on approach
1957 AFB, FL
USAF
Maj. Donald I. Cooper 1st. Lt. Artie W. Wall Maj. Gabriel Tallone Maj. John S. Arena
AC Co-pilot navigator instructor navigator
24th January 19th BW,

B-47B Stratojet 51-2332 Mid air collision
1957 Homestead AFB, F
USAF during refuelling
operations near
the Isle of Pines,
24th January 19th BW, Cuba.
B-47B Stratojet 51-2352 AC only survivor
1957 Homestead AFB, F
USAF
1st February 100th BW, Pease AFB,

B-47E Stratojet 53-6198 Disappeared off the radar scope, 11 miles east of Gloucester, MA while making an approach to land
1957 NH.
USAF
Capt. Alexander A. Lt. Stanley Jenkins 1st Lt. Stanley N. Capt. Orrin Snyder
Wawrzyniak Co-Pilot Partridge instructor navigator
AC killed Navigator missing presumed killed
missing presumed killed body recovered missing presumed killed
15th February 509th BW, Pease AFB,

B-47E Stratojet 53-1832 Damaged in a ground mishap
1957 NH
USAF
crashed shortly
2nd March 320th BW, March AFB,
B-47B Stratojet 51-2192 after takeoff. Hit the Crew ??
1957 CA
ground and exploded
USAF
7th March 376th BW, Lockbourne

EB-47E Stratojet 52-0439 Damaged beyond repair after an accident at Lake Charles, LA.
1957 AFB, OH
USAF
7th March 44th BW, Lake Charles, Destroyed on the

1957 LA ramp by fire
USAF
Crashed while
22nd March 321 BW, Pinecastle making a heavy
1957 AFB, FL weight take-off and
USAF was destroyed
Captain Norman B. First Lieutenant David R. First Lieutenant Brian H. Staff Sergeant Louis Grau
Horowitz Lewis Rodgers 20
33 25 23 Orlando
Orlando killed Morganfield, Ky killed
killed killed
Crashed during
98th BW Lincoln AFB, All crew egressed safely
5th April 1957 B-47E Stratojet 52-0456 landing.
NE on ground
Destroyed by fire
USAF
96th BW, Altus AFB,

7th April 1957 B-47E Stratojet 51-2425 Crashed into Kaala Mountain on a flight from Andersen AFB, Guam on way to Hickam AFB
OK
USAF
Capt. Don N. Rogers 1st Lt. Sherwin 1st Lt. Frank L. S/Sgt. Haskel E.
killed Bozeman JR Clausi Gray
Entered a spin at
7000 feet during
70th SRW, Little refuelling.
Rock AFB, AK Crashed
1st May 1957 USAF near Pittsburgh,
TX.
ejected ejected ejected killed in aircraft
Control lost
during flight
43rd BW, Davis- through severe
Monthan AFB, AZ thunderstorms.
USAF Crashed near
24th May Arnett, OK
1957
Captain James Holden Lt. Cosimo Malozzi Lt. Robert A.

AC ejected McIssac
ejected ejected
Crashed during
341st BW, Dyess take off in an
AFB, TX overloaded
17th July USAF condition.
1957
Night refuelling.
Had increase
height to avoid
18th July 22nd BW, March thunderstorms.
1957 AFB, CA Crashed into a
USAF mountain
8 miles west of
Shaffer, NV
Ground-looped
during landing.
340th BW,
B-47E Stratojet 51-2102 Crashed at
Whiteman AFB, MO
Whiteman AFB,
USAF
MO.
6th August
1957
Aircraft Commander Co-Pilot Observer Observer

evacuated burning evacuated burning killed killed
aircraft aircraft
.
Crashed during
90th SRW, Forbes
8th August RB-47E Stratojet 52-754 touch and goes.
AFB, KS
1957 Fires broke out.
USAF
All crew evacuated aircraft
3245 Tech Sqd./ Hydraulic

Grp, Air Proving problems.
Ground Command Aircraft became
JB-47E Stratojet 53-2282
Air Force uncontrollable.
USAF Operational Test Crashed near
Center Bastrop, LA
12th
September
1957
Captain Robert A.
Captain Ralph A
Col. Joe C. Bailey Captain Doy Baxter Bergeman
Harvey
AC Co-Pilot Radar Observer/
another pilot
ejected killed Navigator
killed
killed
Control problems. MAYDAY was

380th BW, declared. Eventually AC ordered the
B-47E Stratojet 51-15811 Plattsburgh AFB, crew to eject. The aircraft was
NY abandoned in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
USAF
between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland
17th
September
1957
Co-Pilot
Capt Ray T. Cable
ejected
ejected Not found
was rescued from a
not found
raft
Both the pilot and the co-pilot ejected. The co-pilot saw him as they floated down, but he was unresponsive to the co-pilot shouting to him during descent. The pilot
was not recovered.
AC tried
9th BW, unsuccessfu
[also seen as lly to abort
1stOctob B-47B 379th BW] the takeoff. The crew survived
51-2317
er 1957 Stratojet confirm Crashed off by ground egress
USAF Homestead the
AFB, FL end of the
runway
9th October 321st BW, blew up in mid

DB-47B Stratojet 51-2177
1957 Pinecastle AFB, Fl air.
USAF
pic pic pic
Col. Michael Lt Col Major Group Captain John

McCoy Charles Vernon D. Woodroffe DSO, DSC
321st Wing Joyce Stuff RAF
C.O Deputy for killed killed
killed Operations of
the wing
killed
The aircraft's
port-rear wheel
casing failed at
30kt. The
Stratojet's tail
hit the runway The aircraft was carrying
and a fuel tank an unarmed nuclear
379th BW, weapon and was
ruptured. The
B-47B Stratojet 51- 2139 Homestead AFB, participating in
aircraft burned
USAF Fl exercise Dark Night
for seven hours
11th October after the
1957 firecrew
evacuated the
area, ten
minutes after
the crash.
John A. Captain James Captain A 1/class

Edwards D. Perky Thomas William Jones
pilot killed Thomann killed
killed killed
24th October 44th BW, Lake destroyed in a

1957 Charles LA ground mishap
USAF
Stalled and spun
310th BW, Schilling in flying a LABS
AFB, KS mission. Crashed
USAF near Falun, KS
29th October
1957
Captain Bernard Captain Harold Captain Bobby

Rhinebold Horry Hodges
killed killed survived
crashed at
the Eglin
306th BW, MacDill
B-47E Stratojet 52-241 AFB, Fl
AFB, Fl
bombing
USAF
range
4th December
1957
Willie Gregory Ron Farnsley Odie Rogers

AC Co-Pilot Navigator
crashed
st when
301 BW,
B-47E Stratojet 52-458 the AC tried
Barksdale AFB, LA
to abort the
USAF
takeoff
6th December
1957
1st
Lt. Carlton
A. Boutelle
killed
Two and half hours into the mission the AC declared a “MAYDAY” when a fire warning light
failed on Number 1 and the left wing appeared to be on fire. He shut down the engines on the
left wing. The AC was cleared to make a GCA landing at Duluth Municipal Airport. He overshot
the turn to final approach by five miles and while correcting back and after crossing the center
98th BW, Lincoln line the left wing stalled and the aircraft crashed. The investigation revealed no evidence of an
AFB, NE engine or in flight fire. The main contributing factor to the accident was the weather
USAF phenomena known as aerodynamic vapor condensation that can blanket the entire wing giving
13th the appearance of smoke. The malfunction of the number Number 1 warning light with the
December vapor led the AC to believe there was a fire in the left wing and caused him to shut down
1957 engines 1,2. and 3
Maj. William F. Captain William A. Captain Byron H.

Gardner Baldwin Blackmore
AC Co-Pilot Landing accident
killed killed navigator
killed
The aircraft crashed into Mt. Palomar while attempting to land in weather killing the three
th crewmen aboard.. The aircraft hit between the 48 inch Schmidt telescope and the 200 inch
320 BW, March
TB-47B Stratojet 50-0076 Palomar telescope, none of the equipment was damaged. The accident investigation revealed
AFB, CA
that the aircraft was 8 miles off course and 5,000 feet below the minimums for the approach
USAF
the aircraft was flying.
18th
December
1957 Major Thomas Marlon Col. Frank Wilby Ellis Capt. Frank Frederick
Esmond 40 Harradine
37 Covington, Kentucky 27
Austin, Texas pilot Alameda, California
aircraft commander killed flight surgeon
killed killed
The aircraft
14th January 2nd BW, Hunter
B-47E Stratojet 53-6240 landed short and the crew escaped safely
1958 AFB, GA
was destroyed
USAF
The right outrigger

tire exploded in the
wheel well at
22,000 feet near
Plattsburgh NY,
resulting in loss of
engines 4 and 5
and damage to the
20th January 380th BW, outrigger landing
1958 Plattsburgh AFB, NY gear, pod strut and
USAF cowling. After
burning off fuel,
aircraft was landed
on a foamed
runway by the
Instructor Pilot and
the crew egressed
normally
Maj John F. Fagan Capt Olaf K. Rosseland Lt. Robert C. Huber A/1C Wesley L. Bender
Instructor Pilot Student A/C Student A/C Crew Chief
Note: Lt. Huber was later lost

in the B-47 mid-air collision
of 14 September 1960
The aircraft
28th January 321st BW,
B-47B Stratojet 51-2220 burned after a
1958 Pinecastle AFB, Fl.
hard landing.
USAF
The aircraft was destroyed on the runway at Sidi Slimane, Morocco. The aircraft was taxing
down the runway in response to a Coco alert when the rear wheel shattered sending flak in all
directions. The aircraft caught fire but the crew managed to safely evacuate the aircraft. The
31st January 306th BW, MacDill
B-47E Stratojet 52-0242 aircraft burned for seven hours leaving a 100 foot gap in the runway. The aircraft was carrying
1958 AFB, Fl.
a nuclear weapon but there was no explosion. However, there was a small amount of residual
USAF
radiation. Base personnel were evacuated when the accident occurred but the residents
outside of the base were not informed of the potential danger.
22BW, March AFB, The aircraft apparently blew up at night over water flying a Hairclipper mission near San
CA Miguel, CA. No traces of the aircraft were found.
USAF
5th February
1958
?? ?? ??
The aircraft was carrying a nuclear weapon when it collided with an F-86 near Savannah. The
5th February 19th BW,
B-47B Stratojet 51-2349 aircraft was ordered to drop the weapon in the Savannah River rather than risk the possibility
1958 Homestead AFB, Fl.
of a nuclear accident on landing.
USAF
Major Howard 1st Lt. Robert Captain Leland

Richardson Lagerstrom Woolard
landed the aircraft safely
The F-86 pilot was Clarence Stewart.
Major Richardson was awarded a DFC and the other two crewmembers received Commendation Medals. The aircraft was struck from the records on March 27th. The
jettisoned nuclear weapon was never recovered .
February 5, 1958 A B-47 on a simulated combat mission from Homestead AFB, California, collided at 03.30hr
near Savannah, Georgia, with an F-86 Sabre. The B-47, with no nuclear capsule aboard, made three attempts to
land at Hunter AFB, Georgia, but could not get down to a safe landing speed due to structural damage and the
weight of the weapon. The bomb was jettisoned from 7,200ft at 180- 190kt, several miles from the Savannah
River estuary, off Tybee Beach. The store's HE did not detonate and the B-47 landed safely. Divers with hand-
held sonar searched a three-mile area of the Wassaw Sound for over a month, but the weapon was not found.
One of the more notable mishaps involving a B-47 occurred on 5 February 1958 near Savannah, Georgia. A B-47 based
out of Homestead AFB, Florida was engaged in a simulated combat exercise with an F-86 Sabre, the bomber simulating
an attacking aircraft and the fighter a defender. As was the practice at the time, the B-47 was carrying a single 7,600 lb
Mark 15 thermonuclear weapon without its core. During this exercise, the F-86 collided with the B-47. The F-86 pilot
ejected and the fighter crashed, while the B-47 suffered substantial damage, including loss of power on one of its
outboard jet engines. The bomber pilot had to "safe" soft drop the Mark 15 weapon off the coast of Savannah, Georgia
near Tybee Island after three unsuccessful landing attempts at Hunter Air Force Base. The bomb was successfully
jettisoned and the aircraft landed safely. An extensive nine-month search was mounted for the unarmed bomb, but proved
futile.
The aircraft crashed and burned on takeoff. The aircraft had flown an Air Defense Command
(ADC) mission on 5 February and because of bad weather at Wright-Patterson AFB the aircraft
landed at Westover AFB, MA. The aircraft experienced ignition problems on the takeoff and
the takeoff was delayed The aircraft was then scheduled to fly another ADC mission on 7
February. The Aircraft was returned to the fueling pit and serviced to 165, 000 lb gross weight
Air Research and T.O. The flight was aborted on takeoff roll due to the loss of oil pressure on Number 1 engine.
Development It was determined the problem was with the instruments and the aircraft was rescheduled to
Command, Wright takeoff on 8 February. On February 8th the Number 6 engine would not “motor” due to a
8th February
JTB-47B Stratojet 50-053 Air starter malfunction. The pilot contacted his home base and received what he thought to be
1958
Development permission to make five engine take off. The aircraft was de fuelled to what was to be 135.000
USAF
Center, Wright- lb gross weight takeoff on five engines. The aircraft did not break ground at the calculated
Patterson AFB distance and when it did it was nose high and the right wing was low. At 7,500 feet down the
runway flap retraction and the aircraft began a sharp climbing turn to the right. The aircraft
stalled in a 45 degree to the right at an altitude of 250 feet. All three crewmembers were
killed. Factors leading to the crash were miscalculation of the fuel on board due to the
refuelling and defueling of the aircraft over two days, and the decision to takeoff on five
engines.
?? ?? ??
18th February BW, Lincoln AFB,

B-47E Stratojet 53-2154 Engine problems. Minor damage
1958 NE.
USAF
BW, Lincoln AFB, Burnt on ground

NE. [see below]
USAF
18th February
1958
Shortly after a VFR heavy weight takeoff the AC had indications of a fire on Number 2 and Number 3 engines with wing overheat conditions. The AC notified the tower that
he would have to jettison his wing tanks to keep the aircraft from crashing. The AC was instructed to drop the tanks in the designated on base drop area that was parallel
and adjacent to the runway. However, the pilot lost visual contact with the runway and requested assistance from the tower in dropping the tanks. Unfortunately the
aircraft was not in the proper position when the tower told the AC to drop the tanks and they fell on aircraft 53-6204, that was being pre-flighted and a hangar. Both the
hangar and aircraft continued to burn for several hours. 53-2154 sustained minor damage.
A crew chief and an A&E repairman were killed and A 2/C Clive D. Wilson, 307th FMS fuel truck driver, was injured. M/G W. H. “Butch” Blanchard, the 7th Air Division
Commander, found everyone directly or indirectly involved in the accident at fault including the AC, the tower operator, the tower supervisor, and the flying supervisor.
Crashed on approach six miles south of Lancaster, OH. The aircraft hit the ground at an angle
26th SRW,
of 50 degrees. It was determined that the aircraft was allowed to get into an unusual attitude
RB-47E Stratojet 52-0720 Lockbourne AFB,
and/or high speed, through disorientation, from which there was no recovery. In actuality a
OH.
USAF wheel door had broken away and prevented the control surfaces to be fully active.
26th February
1958
1st Lt. Theodore L. 1st Lt. George M. 1st Lt. Alvin B. 1st Lt. Earl N.
Jenner Reiley Storey Fogle
Thanks to Chris Jenner for providing his own researches into his father's fatal accident.
The aircraft was destroyed when it ran out of fuel and landed 1 ¼ short of the end of the
40th BW, Schilling runway at Biggs AFB. The aircraft was directed to land at Walker AFB, NM due to weather at
AFB, TX. Schilling. The crew determined that they had enough fuel to Walker but elected to land at
USAF Biggs. One crew member was killed.
27th February
1958
Lt.C. Hilding L. Capt. Gerald A. 1st/Lt. Donald 1st/Lt. Samuel
Jacobson, Jr. Weimer F. Maisel G. Harding
IP pilot Co-Pilot navigator
survived survived survived killed
28th February
1958
USAF
March 11, 1958 The number three in a flight of four B-47s en route from Hunter AFB,
Georgia, to an overseas base, accidentally jettisoned a weapon with no capsule, after levelling
11th March off at 15,000ft. The weapon impacted 6'2 n.m. east of Florence, South Carolina, and the HE
B-47 Stratojet detonated, causing several injuries on the ground and damaging property. The B-47 returned
1958
USAF to base. on take-off from Dyess AFB, Texas.
Three crewmen ejected at 1,500ft, while the fourth was killed in the crash. The armed
weapon's HE detonated forming a crater 35ft in diameter and six feet deep. "Nuclear materials
were recovered near the crash site."
?? ?? ?? ??
ejected ejected ejected killed
The aircraft
th crashed after
379 BW,
B-47B Stratojet 51-2104 take
Homestead AFB, Fl.
off killing all four
USAF
aboard.
13th March
1958
Maj. Leon F. Hatcher Maj. Frank H. Whyte 1st Lt. Paul J. Capt. George Reid
Jr. Jr. Pennington Navigator
AC instructor pilot Co-Pilot killed
The aircraft was on a normal training mission with the student in the
front seat and the instructor pilot was in the back seat. The student was given unusual
positions. During the recovery from the second unusual position, a 30 degree right wing low
descent, the pilots heard a thump or crack. They then flew two steep turns. Then as the pilot
was establishing a 45 degree bank the pilots heard what was described as a thump, rumble,
muffled explosion, or a crack. The control column was pushed forward and the student pilot
3520 FTW, ATC,
TB-47B Stratojet 50-0013 noted flames. He then pushed the alarm bell and ejected. The instructor had not completed
McConnell AFB, KS
the ejection sequence when the aircraft began to tumble and gyrate. He unbuckled his safety
USAF
belt and dropped free when the aircraft went into inverted flight. Both the pilot and instructor
13th March survived but the pilot occupying the navigator’s seat did not eject. The investigation revealed
1958 that the left wing failed at Butt line 35 due to fatigue cracks that had existed for an
undetermined period of time. This was the first in a series of crashes that led to the Milk Bottle
Inspection and Repair As Necessary, IRAN, mod program.
Pilot Instructor Pilot on Navigator's seat

Student Pilot
attempted ejection did not eject
ejected
made force bail out
The aircraft completed a series of low level bombing runs on the Avon Park, Fl bombing range.
306th BW, MacDill After completing the runs the AC made a low pass by the control and started a climbing roll to
AFB, Fl. the left. The right wing snapped and the aircraft burst into flames, killing the four crewmen. It
USAF is believed that the aircraft was overstressed in flight.
21st March
1958
Bob Heiney Ed Pooser Siling

??
killed
376th BW, The aicraft blew up at North Collins, NY, which is 20 mile south of Buffalo, NY. The aircraft was
B-47E Stratojet 52-0470 Lockbourne AFB, on a refuelling track about1.5 miles in back of the tanker when it blew up killing the four
OH. crewmen.This was third crash that led to the Milk Bottle mod program.
USAF
10th April
1958
Maj. Harold L. Lt Col John Lt. Robert Tellier Lt. Albert B.

Kelly Robert Glyer killed Monica
The aircraft took off with thunderstorms in the area and crashed five minutes after takeoff
killing the four crewmen aboard. The investigation revealed that the wing had a metal fatigue
15th April B-47E Stratojet 306th BW, MacDill crack and the additional gusts imposed on it by the thunderstorm turbulence caused the wing
52-0235
1958 LABS AFB, Fl. to fail. Supervisory error was deemed a contributing factor for allowing the aircraft to takeoff
USAF in the vicinity of thunder storms. In so doing the aircraft was subjected to the additional gust
loads that caused the wing to completely crack.
The aircraft crashed after attaining an altitude of 400 feet killing the four people aboard. The
509th BW, Pease investigation revealed that the fuel panels were incorrectly set. The impact of this on the crash
AFB, NH. is uncertain since the aircraft took off in the planned distance with only a slight loss in
USAF acceleration on the takeoff roll.
15th April
1958 Capt. Richard D. 1st Lt. William 1st Lt. Edward S. S/Sgt. Jennings V.
Burns Stevens Starley McKinney Ware
27 25 25 23
Royal Oaks, Michigan Delta, Utah Casper, Wyoming Hacker Valley,
aircraft commander pilot navigator Webster, West Virginia
killed killed killed crew chief
killed
The aircraft crashed on the ice on Goose Bay while attempting to make a take off from Goose
98th BW, Lincoln
B-47E Stratojet 52-0322 Bay Air Base. Only the AC survived. It was determined that the crash was due to the AC For
AFB, NE.
allowing the aircraft to loose altitude during the climb.
USAF
25th April
1958
Maj. Ivan C. Henry 1st Lt. Benjamin C. 1st Lt. Thomas H.
Jr. Iglauer Opsomer
AC killed killed
survived
On landing the aircraft was left wing low to compensate for a crosswind. After initial touch
down the aircraft ballooned and the aircraft drifted to the right. Power was applied in an
attempt to level the wings. The Instructor then immediately retarded the throttles and the
3520th CCTW, right wing made contact with the sod. Afterwards the Number 6 engine, right outrigger, main
McConnell AFB, KS. landing gear, and left outrigger made contact in that order. Shortly thereafter the left
USAF outrigger and left engines were torn from the aircraft. The rear landing gear failed and the
11th June
fuselage broke in back of the aft gear. The crew escaped without injury. The aircraft was
1958
classified as destroyed
The aircraft was en-route to Loring ME to stop prior to going reflex. The aircraft was diverted
to Plattsburgh because of weather in the Loring area. The aircraft was one of several
attempting to make GCA landings at Plattburgh. The Plattsburgh GCA had trouble making
2nd BW, Hunter positive contact with 1931 and directed the aircraft to climb to 5,000 feet on a heading of 170
AFB, GA. degrees. The pilot acknowledged the transmission and this was the last transmission that was
USAF heard from him. The aircraft crashed near Enosburg, VT killing all four aboard. The aircraft was
found to be in a near vertical bank to the left, nose down. The investigation concluded that
disorientation resulting in loss of control was the primary cause. All four aboard were killed.
11th June
1958
Captain Arthur 1st Lt. Frank. J. 2nd Lt. William S/Sgt. John
Craven Jannarone Jr. Gulbertson Willis
AC Co-Pilot navigator crew chief
The aircraft was redeploying back to McCoy after three weeks reflex at Loring AFB, ME. The
takeoff was normal and during level off the Co-Pilot noted the elevator sowed four units nose
up trim. he AC confirmed his trim position and noted the aft fuel gage indicated empty.
Assuming that the aft tank was losing fuel the AC initiated emergency tank emptying
procedures. Deciding the tank was empty he discontinued the procedure and repositioned fuel
selectors for engines 1, 2, 5, and 6 to “TME” and engines 3 and 4 to “ME” and began
the transfer of the fuel from the forward auxiliary tank. When the forward auxiliary tank
became empty the elevator trim indicated 21/2 to 3. The Co-Pilot found the CG to be within
limits. All subsequent fuel management during the flight was made on the assumption the aft
main tank was empty. The crew contacted the Hunter command Post and advised them of
321st BW, McCoy
B-47B Stratojet 51-2206 their problem. The Hunter C.P. advised them they were in no danger and to proceed to
25th July AFB, FL.
McCoy. At McCoy the 321st BW command post reconfigured the CG using the Co-Pilot’s
1958 USAF
numbers. Although the CG was not ideal, it was deemed to be safe and not dangerous. The AC
was advised to descend to an altitude between 20-25,000 feet, setup a landing configuration
and approach first stall warning smoothly in an attempt to determine the gross weight and CG.
After the gear and flaps were lowered the airspeed dropped off rapidly and full power was
applied. Both the AC and the Co-Pilot were on the controls to force the nose down. The aircraft
fell off the left wing in a spin. Indicated air speed was 143 knots. Recovery was effected but
when power was applied the aircraft again fell off to the left in a flat spin. The observer called
off altitudes until 14,000 feet was reached at which time the AC ordered the crew to abandon
the aircraft.
?? ?? ?? ??
ejected ejected ejected ejected
safely safely safely safely
4347th CCTW,
18th August
TB- 47B Stratojet 50-0045 SAC, McConnell
1958
AFB, KS
USAF
53-2267 97th BW, Biggs

B-47E Stratojet
[53-2268]? AFB, TX
USAF
Captain Robert Held 1st/Lt.. James E. "Jim" Cason 1st/Lt. Norman E. Hermes S/Sgt. Roy K. Schell
AC Co-Pilot navigator crew engineer
Tuesday 19th ejected ejected did not eject killed
August 1958 survived
The aircraft was scheduled to lead a four plane formation in a night Mass Gas refuelling operation near Follet, TX. During descent to the refueling altitude the AC lost
his attitude gyro, but he elected to continue the mission with the Co-Pilot monitoring the aircraft’s attitude. Several disconnects occurred during the refuelling
operation, attributed to the fact that the tanker director lights were inoperative. The refuelling was terminated early at the request of the tanker leader due to the
thunder-storm activity. The B-47 cleared the track and proceeded to climb. At 32,000 feet the AC saw abright flash over his shoulder accompanied by a crack.
Simultaneously the aircraft pitched down and the canopy departed. Loose articles were swept off the floor. The elevator appearedto be disconnected and moved freely
back and forth. The AC and Co-Pilot ejected safely. The observer was thrown clear of the aircraft when it broke up. He effected seat separation and
theparachute opened successfully at a low altitude.
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined, but the most probable cause was structural breakup.
I ejected from a B-47 belonging to the 97th Bomb Wing, Strategic Air Command, USAF, on August 19, 1958. This accident occurred near Follett, Texas, at
about 10 p.m. on that date. I was the cp-pilot. I ejected safely, as did the aircraft commander. The navigator never actually ejected but survived the accident
through what I consider to be miraculous circumstances. There was a fourth man on board, a crew chief, who unfortunately was killed in the accident.
I am wondering how to get details of this accident included on your webpage.
Sincerely,
James E. “Jim” Cason
in email 4th April 2011
The aircraft was scheduled to fly touch and gos following a seven hour training mission. A
student pilot was in the back seat. The student flew the GCA and took over visually when he
25th reached GCA minimums. During the flare out the right aileron struck the runway followed by a
90th SRW, Forbes
September RB-47E Stratojet 52-726 roll to the left with the left out rigger and aft gear contacting the runway. The aircraft veered
AFB, KS.
1958 to the left off the runway, en- countered a shallow contour that collapsed the forward gear and
USAF
tore off the left inboard engines and nacelle strut. The acc ident board found that the IP failed
to recognize an unsafecondition and failed to take over in sufficient time to avert the accident.
The aircraft had departed Patrick AFB, Fl for the Martin Company Airport in Baltimore, MD. The
aircraft began to porpoise after it first touched down and the pilot intentionally ground looped
DB-47E Stratojet 51-5219 AMC the aircraft. The forward gear and the two out riggers collapsed. The three crewmembers
successfully evacuated the aircraft. The aircraft might have been bailed to Martin, it was
25th USAF
reclaimed on Oct. 20, 1958
September
1958
The previous day the aircraft had been diverted by weather to McConnell. On September
29th the crew was scheduled to fly a training mission to Little Rock terminating with touch and
70th SRW , Little gos at Wichita. On the third touch and go the forward gear touched first, the aircraft bounced
Rock AFB, AK. slightly, recovered, and power was applied. The aircraft became airborne 5,200 feet down the
USAF runway in a nose high attitude banking to the right until it crashed about 9,400 feet from the
29th approach end and 1,200 feet off the centerline.
September
1958
Maj. Merle T. Lt Col Zenith Captain Lt Col Lynn

Cunningham Barber Richard L. Parker
killed killed Haggard killed
killed
The aircraft crashed on take off during a test hop. The aircraft attained an altitude of 300 feet
when the aircraft dropped off the right wing and crashed and was almost in the middle of the
376th BW,
52-0402 runway when it burned. The cause of the accident was due to an improper CG of 39.9%. The
B-47E Stratojet Lockbourne AFB,
Blue Cradle result of a faulty forward fuel gage and improper refuelling procedures that resulted in the
OH.
USAF forward main tank having 8,000 lbs less fuel than indicated. On a previous flight the fuel
remaining was 2,000 lbs and the tank was filled when the fuel gage read 10,000 lbs.
23th October
1958
Captain George 1st. Lt. Carl Atherton Captain Thomas A. Henry

W. Berliner killed killed
killed
The aircraft had been practicing low approaches simulating the failure of two engines on the
th Grider VOR at Pine Bluff, AK when it crashed killing all three aboard. The aircraft was seen to
70 SRW, Little
RB-47E Stratojet 52-824 stall, made a one turn spin to the right, momentarily recovered, then appeared to drop its tail
29th October Rock AFB, AK.
and slide backwards The nose then dropped 65 degrees and the aircraft entered a spin from
1958 USAF
which it never recovered
?? ?? ??
On the takeoff roll an ATO bottle exploded setting the rear end of the fuselage. The AC
341st BW, Dyess
B-47E Stratojet 51-2391 managed to get the aircraft to where the crew ejected safely. The aircraft was carrying a
AFB, TX.
nuclear weapon but there was no explosion.
USAF
Maj. Captain John M. Captain John M. S/Sgt. Robert E.

4th November
Don E. Gerding Dowling Schneider
1958
Youngmark Co-Pilot navigator refused to bailout
AC ejected ejected into the flames that
ejected were engulfing the
aircraft and died in
the subsequent
crash.
The aircraft was redeploying from Loring to its home station at McCoy AFB when it crashed on
takeoff killing all four
321st BW, McCoy
B-47B Stratojet 51-2199 aboard.The cause of the accident was undetermined but probably due to the loss or failure of
AFB, AFB, Fl.
Number 6 engine pin allowing the engine to swing down. Tear down revealed no power on
USAF
22th Number 6.
November
1958
?? 1st Lt. Melvin H. ?? ??

killed Shira killed killed
killed
A B-47 armed with a n clear weapon exploded. However there was no explosion from the
bomb but no explosion or any radiation.
November 26, 1958
th A B-47 caught fire on the ground at Chennault AFB, Louisiana. The single nuclear
44 BW, Chennault weapon aboard was destroyed. Contamination was limited to the immediate
AFB, LA. vicinity of the weapon residue within the B-47's wreckage.
USAF
27th
November
1958
[also seen as
26th]
Captain Joseph Co-Pilot Lt. Robert M.
T. Lyles ?? Simpson
AC details was burned and
killed listed in serious
condition
killed
Four minutes and forty seconds after takeoff the pilot reported a fire in the right aileron pack.
The AC declared an emergency but failed to make his intentions clear regarding an emergency
landing to departure control. Reports from the emergency aircraft were blocked by normal
communications with other aircraft. Five minutes and fifty seconds after takeoff the pilot
reported Number 6 still burning and declared his intentions to make an emergency landing on
306th BW, MacDill runway 040. The aircraft crashed into Tampa Bay killing all four aboard. The investigation
AFB, Fl. revealed that the right aileron PCU flex return line pulled loose from the coupling prior to
USAF takeoff allowing hydraulic fluid to pool in the wing and drain into the canoe fairing above
16th Number 6. The heat from Number 6 on takeoff ignited the fluid causing the “burnout” panel to
December be blown from Number 6 that resulted in the failure of the PCU hydraulic line pressure. The fire
1958 burned the aileron cable pulley that allowed the aileron cable to slip from the damaged pulley
causing a complete loss of aileron control during the turn on to final approach.
Capt. George E. 1st/Lt. Joseph D. 1st/Lt. William C. Maj. Marcel F.

Whitney Berardi Bieler, Jr. D'Amico
AC Co-Pilot navigator Instructor navigator
380th BW,
Aircraft destroyed in a crash when the left wing dropped and the aircraft rolled to the right.
B-47E Stratojet 51-7023 Plattsburgh AFB,
The left wing then hit the ground and the aircraft exploded.
NY.
USAF
5th January
1959
Capt. William J. Duffey 2nd Lt. John Egan Capt. James R. Golden Capt. Robert C. Love
AC Co-Pilot IP observer
injured killed injured injured
21st January 509th BW,

Pease The aircraft crashed when it hit the ground short of the runway at Plattsburgh AFB on a
1959 AFB, N. H landing approach.
USAF
384th BW, Little

B-47E Stratojet 52-3371 The aircraft crashed while attempting to land
Rock, AFB, AK.
USAF
3rd February
1959
?? ?? ??
310th BW, Schilling
11th February B-47E Stratojet 53-6215 The aircraft crashed on takeoff at Goose Bay killing two crewmen.
AFB, KS.
1959 USAF
[5th May
1959]
?? ??
killed killed
307th BW, Lincoln

B-47E Stratojet 53-4208 The aircraft crashed on a test flight at Lockheed, Marietta, GA
AFB, NE.
USAF
17th February
1959
?? ?? civilian
killed killed ??
killed
70th SRW, Little

RB-47E Stratojet 52-3389 The aircraft crashes after Number 6 engine catches fires and explodes
Rock AFB, AK.
USAF
24th March
1959 Captain K.L.
Trask
AC
received the DFC
This is apparently the first time that five people have successfully escaped from a B-47 in
flight.
The aircraft crashed 8 miles from Mountain Home, ID while attempting to land. The Number 4
engine was lost near Miles City, MT followed by a fire in Number 5. The fire was put out and
the aircraft was diverted to land at Mountain Home. Nearing the base the Number 5 engine
43rd BW, Davis-
B-47E Stratojet 53-2319 broke loose and became wedged between the tip tank and the leading edge. An emergency
Monthan AFB, AZ.
landing was attempted but the altitude could not be held.
USAF
All four were killed the CP ejected too low, the AC and Nav did not eject and the fourth man’s
chute was ripped on bailout.
2nd April
1959
Col. Herbert I. Captain James Harley Captain Charles A. 1st Lt. Oscar B. Tucker
Shingler Jr Walker Jr
43rd Bomb killed killed killed
Wing commander
killed
43rd BW, Davis- The aircraft crashed into a mountain nineteen miles from Davis-Monthan making a night
Monthan AFB AZ. weather approach
USAF
4th April 1959
Maj. Kermit Wagner 1st Lt. Thomas A. Wilkie Lt. Richard L. Anderson
The aircraft crashed and burned on an aborted takeoff killing the Co-Pilot. The three other
306th BW, MacDill
B-47E Stratojet 51-7041 crewmembers escaped with minor injuries. Three firemen received minor burns during the
AFB, FL.
rescue effort
USAF
6th May 1959
?? Co-Pilot ?? ??
escaped killed escaped escaped
minor injuries minor injuries minor injuries
2nd BW, Hunter

8th May 1959 B-47E 52-0179 The aircraft left the runway and was destroyed
AFB, GA
USAF
20th May 40th BW, Schilling

B-47E Stratojet 52-0491 The aircraft ran off the runway.
1959 AFB, NE.
USAF
22nd BW , March
B-47E Stratojet 52-3344 Crashed five miles south of base
AFB, CA
USAF
2nd June
1959
Lt Col Donald D. Maj. John W. 1st Lt. James M. Captain Thomas
Wynn Thomas Browning Cairney
killed killed killed was seriously burned
and hospitalized
308th BW, Hunter The aircraft inadvertently landed on a taxiway following an in flight emergency. The aircraft
B-47E Stratojet 51-2365 AFB, Savannah went off the end of the taxiway and exploded when it hit a ditch killing all crewmen aboard
4th June 1959 Georgia. except for the observer who survived
USAF
Captain William Capt. James M. Captain Gorden T/Sgt. Meyer Gray
Ceasar Savoca Watson, Jr. Mode crew chief
AC Co-Pilot navigator killed
wing commander killed survived
and chief safety
officer at Hunter Air
Base,
died as result of
crash on 10th June
1959
possibly
Lt. Colonel John Thompson
confirm
he was on board
Number6 engine
blew up and the
aircraft was
11th June 308th BW, Hunter deemed to be
1959 AFB, GA. uneconomical to
USAF repair. The
aircraft was sent
to salvage
306th BW, MacDill

B-47E Stratojet 51-15805 The aircraft crashed over the Atlantic near Lajes
AFB, FL.
USAF
1st July 1959
Roy From ?? Carter was there a fourth

AC ejected navigator crew member?
ejected ejected
4347CCTW, SAC, Practice in-flight refuelling. Made emergency landing at Bergstrom AFB 5 miles north of Bryan,
McConnell AFB, KS TX. following engine explosion (No. 5) resulting in aircraft fire
USAF
17th
September
1959 Capt. James 1st Lt. Herbert 1st. Lt. Marvin I. S/Sgt. Charles B. A1/C James E,
David Roscoe Jordan Helm Smith East, Jr.
Diamantople pilot CP CE survive
IP survived survived survived
survived
307 BW, Lincoln
B-47E Stratojet 51-5248 Crashed during an ATO takeoff killing all four aboard.
AFB, NE
USAF
8th October
1959 1st Lt. Joseph R. Major Paul R. Captain Lucian W. Captain Theodore
Morrisey Jr Ecelbarger Nowlin Tallmadge
AC Instructor pilot Navigator Navigator
The
96th BW, Dyess aircraft crashed
AFB, TX. making a landing
USAF at Dobbins AFB
21st October the four man crew escaped safely.
1959
egressed safely egressed safely egressed safely egressed safely
90th SRW, Forbes

RB-47E Stratojet 52-0702 The aircraft crashed near the Lake of the Ozarks
AFB, Topeka, KS.
USAF
21st October
1959
?? ?? ?? ??
killed killed survived survived
Some reports state two crewmen were killed and two survived. Did three men eject?
306th BW, MacDill A fire between Number 4 and Number 5 engines forced the crew to bailout at 11,000 feet over
AFB, FL the Gulf of Mexico. The aircraft crashed into the Gulf.
USAF
3rd November
1959
Maj. Morris O. 1st Lt. George W, 1st.Lt. Franklin D. Sgt. Norman W.
Beck Eggleston Harrod Rume
ejected ejected navigator ejected
missing missing ejected missing
rescued
4347th CCTW, The aircraft crashed on take off from Whiteman AFB
McConnell AFB, KS The aircraft was mis-trimmed nose down
USAF
17th
November
1959
Capt. Herbert J. Maj. Edgar Jodoin 1st/Lt. Robert Lee A/1C James
Edwards pilot Westrup Redmond II
IP killed Co-Pilot crew engineer
17th Authorized for

100th BW, Pease
November B-47E Stratojet 53-2136 reclamation on
AFB, NH.
1959 this date.
USAF
384th BW, Little

B-47E Stratojet 51- 7082 The aircraft was destroyed in a collision with an F-102 over James Bay, Ontario, Canada
Rock AFB, AK.
USAF
17th
Captain Roy Miner 1st Lt. Theodore C. 1st Lt. Hunt 1st Lt. Horn
December
AC Adams navigator extra Co-Pilot
1959
escaped Co-Pilot missing presumed missing presumed
ejection presumed escaped killed killed
ejection presumed
The F-102 pilot, 1st Lt. Gaylord Beryl Treu, missing presumed killed
19th BW,
B-47B Stratojet 51-2261 Homestead AFB, Crashed one minute after takeoff at Torrejon Air Base, Spain
FL.
USAF
30th
December
1959 Captain Captain Albert J. 1st Lt. James A. Captain Felix F.
Alfred Z. Lobell Harding Rasmussen Flaitz
AC Co-Pilot navigator instructor
killed killed killed navigator
killed
A landing gear relay failure led to a ground accident. The aircraft was on alert with a nuclear
380th BW, weapon and ATO. The aft gear collapsed breaking the rear fuselage and rupturing the rear fuel
1st January
B-47E Stratojet 51-5243 Plattsburgh AFB, tank spilling fuel all over the alert ramp. The drains were frozen and JP-4 covered the alert
1960
NY ramp. Unbelievably the command post hit the klaxon and the crews started their engines and
USAF
taxied to the end of the runway. Fortunately none of the spilled fuel ignited. The aircraft was
recorded as having been sent to reclamation on January 13.
40th BW, Schilling The aircraft was having trouble during refuelling when the aircraft went into inverted spin and
AFB, KS crashed near Hugatan, KS. Only one crewman survived from the four man crew.
USAF
5th January
1960
?? ?? ?? ??
survived killed killed killed
40th BW, Schilling

14 January B-47E Stratojet 52-0498 The aircraft crashed while making a tower flyby for a gear check at Eielson AFB, Alaska
AFB, KS
1960 USAF
Two crewmembers were killed and two survived the crash.
The aircraft landed short of the runway at

27th January RB-47E Stratojet 52-0814 3970th CSG
Torrejon AB, Spain. sent to reclamation on March 10th.
1960 USAF
All the crewmembers survived. The aircraft was
surplus to Tinker AFB, OK on

10th February 4347th CCTW
B-47B Stratojet 51-2256 January 28, 1960
1960
It was reclaimed in February 1960
USAF
18 February 4347th CCTW,

B-47E Stratojet 51-5239 Salvaged December 2, 1960
1960 McConnell AFB, KS
USAF
306th BW, MacDill Post maintenance flight. Loss of powers, problems with landing gear. Main gear collapsed
AFB, FL during landing. The three crew survived egressing on the ground
USAF
18th March
1960
Maj. George L. Peabody 1st Lt. Orville P. Vereen 1st Lt. Victor L. Hackman
23rd March 4347th CCTW.
B-47B Stratojet 51-2154 It was sent to reclamation on April 4, 1960
1960 McConnell AFB, KS
USAF
384th BW, Little

B-47E Stratojet 52-1414 Exploded in flight. Three crew killed. Civilian casualties [two fatal caused by falling debris]
Rock AFB, AK.
USAF
,
31st March
1960
LtC Reynolds J. 1st Lt. Thomas G. Capt. Hertbert J. S/Sgt K. E. Brose
Watson Smoak Aldridge killed
killed Co-Pilot killed
survived
did he eject??
384th BW, Little

Rock AFB, AK
USAF
31st March
1960
The aircraft exploded in flight.

One crewman managed to escape, the three others were killed as well as two civilians on the ground who were killed by falling aircraft debris. The debris fell on two
housing areas two miles apart setting eight houses on fire. Those killed in the explosion were Lt Col Reynolds J. Watson, Captain Hertbert J. Aldridge, and S/Sgt K. E.
Brose. The two civilians killed were Jimmy Hollowbaugh and Mrs. Andrew I. Clark. 1st Lt. Thomas G. Smoak, the Co-Pilot, was hospitalized with burns and injuries.
http://okwreckchasing.org/521414.html
RB-47E Stratojet 52-0716 90th SRW

USAF
13th April
1960 The aircraft crashed near Perrin, MO. killing twocrewmembers. The crew consisted of an instructor pilot, two students, and a crew chief. There
was no navigator aboard and the students were B-47 Co-Pilots TDY to Forbes to upgrade to ACs. The aircraft was flying above its optimum operational altitude trying to
avoid thunder storms but without a navigator to guide them they flew into a thunderstorm where the down drafts and updrafts literally tore the aircraft apart. Captain
Joseph Harter and the crew chief survived. Harter was tossed about like a rag doll as he descended in the storm cloud and landed in the middle of the lake. Physically
beaten by his ordeal in the storm cloud, he barely made it to shore.
55th SRW, Forbes

RB-47H Stratojet 53-4309 Crashed eight miles south of Topeka
AFB, KS
29th April USAF
1960
Capt. Paul Jones 1st Lt. Carl Heaberlin 1st Lt. Granville Harkrader
38th Strategic Reconnaissance

Squadron, 55th Strategic
Reconnaissance Wing based at Forbes
The aircraft was shot down in international waters over the Barents Sea
RB-47H Stratojet 53-4281 Air
by Soviet PVO Strany MiG-19s
Force Base, Kansas, and temporarily
USAF
flying out of Brize-Norton Royal Air
Force Base in England
1st July 1960 Maj. Captain Captain John R. 1st Lt. Dean B. Captain 1st Lt. Oscar L.
Willard[William] Freeman Bruce McKone Philips Eugene E. Goforth
A. Palm Olmstead navigator [Phillips] Posa electronic
AC Co-Pilot ejected electronic electronic warfare officer
killed ejected recovered by Soviet warfare officer warfare officer killed
recovered by trawler killed killed
Soviet trawler taken captive
taken captive released from Lubyanka
released prison January 1961
from Lubyanka
prison January
1961
USAF Boeing RB-47 Stratojet reconnaissance bomber BuNo 34281 operating from RAF Brize Norton flown by
Major Willard G. Palm, Co-pilot Capt. Freeman. Bruce Olmstead and Navigator /bombardier Capt. John R. McKone
was shot down at 30,000ft. over the Baltic Sea on the northern Artic coast [ over the Barents Sea in the area of
the Kola Peninsula] of the Soviet Union by a MiG flown by Capt. Vasily A. Polgakov. Four crew were killed.
McKone and Olmstead were picked up in International water by a Soviet trawler. They were taken by the
Russians and held in Moscow's Lubyanka Prison. They were released on 25-1-1961*. Other source gives release
4-1-1961
[Fighting Jets p.86-87 - Time Life Pub.] & [*Osprey Book B-47 p. 164]
19th Bomb Wing

(SAC)
I2th July 1960 Homestead AFB, Number 4 turbine wheel disintegrated forced the crew to abandon the aircraft 70 miles
B-47E Stratojet 51-2274 Florida
22:15 northwest of Homestead near Lake Ockeechobee, FL
USAF
also seen as 19th
Captain Cassius N
M.E. Saunders unk
Davison
AC nav
Co-Pilot
ejected ejected
ejected
380th BW,
12th August Landed short and caught fire. Badly damaged.
1960 Crew egressed on ground
NY.
USAF
380th BW,
Part of a three ship cell heading for Brize Norton. Mid-air collision with 51-7047 300 miles west
of Shannon, Ireland. Landed at Shannon, Ireland.
NY
14th USAF
September
1960
Capt. John Brennan Capt. Richard Glogowski Lt. John Cornochan

AC Co-Pilot; navigator
380th BW,
Part of a three ship cell heading for Brize Norton. Mid-air collision with 53-1967 300 miles west
of Shannon, Ireland.
NY
USAF
14th
September
1960
Capt. Robert C. Huber 1st Lt. Duane E. Bartlett 1st Lt. Gary L. Simpson
missing presumed killed missing presumed killed missing presumed killed
The three man crew from 51-7047 were never found and were presumed to have been killed. Unknown whether or any of them ejected.
27th 306th BW, MacDill

B-47E Stratojet 52-047 Crashed in Tampa Bay after explosion caused engine fire
September AFB, FL.
1960 USAF
crew rescued by a cabin cruiser and a Coast Guard cutter.
340th BW,
B-47E Stratojet 52-556 Whiteman AFB, Crashed and burned while on a GCA approach
MO
USAF
14th October
1960
Major Harold J. Shea 1st/Lt. Ludlow O. 2nd/Lt. Frederick J. 1st/Lt. Ralph L.
AC Clements Schilke Fickling
Co-Pilot Pilot Navigator
All crewmembers survived
301st BW,
EB-47E Stratojet 53-1886 Lockbourne AFB, Crashed at the end of the runway having lost two engines at take-off
OH.
USAF
8 November
1960
Capt. Booker N. 1st Lt. Curtiss L. Capt. Russell Capt. Mark L. La T/Sgt. William H.
Vass Ford Walton Cross Pointe Reed
AC Co-Pilot Navigator ECM operator ECM technician
killed killed killed killed killed
100th BW, Pease

B-47E Stratojet 53-4244 th 2 in a three ship MITO takeoff and crashed after losing control shortly after takeoff.
AFB, NH
USAF
4th January
1961
Captain Thomas C. Weller 1st Lt. Ronald Chapo 1st Lt. J. A. Wetherbee S/Sgt. Stephen J. Mikva
AC Co-Pilot navigator crew chief.
4347th CCTW, wing caught the ground causing the aircraft to cart-wheel, break into three sections, and
RB-47 Stratojet 52-0766
McConnell AFB, KS burst into flames killing all three aboard.
USAF
9th January
1961
Capt. Bryson Foster 2nd Lt. Robert Robinsky 1st Lt. John S. Keller
instructor pilot student student
The aircraft crashed after takeoff about five miles from the Palomar Observatory. The crew of
12th January 22nd BW, March
B-47E Stratojet 52-533 four successfully bailed out but one crewmember was killed when he hit a tree. The probable
1961 AFB, CA
cause of the accident was an autopilot malfunction.
USAF
Captain Orville W. 1st Lt. Kenneth W. Captain Salvador Lt.Col. Erwin L.
Wray Baisden Orosco Williams
aircraft commander co-pilot navigator 40
ejected ejected ejected instructor navigator
OK OK OK (flying as extra
crewmember)
bailed out
hit a tree, killed
301st BW, The aircraft was a Phase V ECM aircraft with five crewmembers aboard, and it crashed near
EB-47E Stratojet 53-2169 Lockbourne AFB, Bowling Green, KY. The AC lost control at 15,000 feet during a night refuelling under marginal
OH weather conditions.
USAF
22nd
February
1961
Captain William ?? ?? ?? instructor navigator
Gillespie Co-Pilot navigator bailed out but did
AC killed killed ejected not survive
killed survived
The aircraft crashed near Hurley, WI, while flying a low-level route after an engine support
pin sheared allowing the engine to drop, there were no survivors
40th BW, Forbes
AFB, KS [see also 2nd May 1961]
USAF
24th
February
1961
Capt. James P. Lt. Theodore M. Lt. Gary H. Hanify Lt. Charles F. Weise
Garrett Stalmach Navigator Pilot
AC Co-Pilot killed killed
killed Killed
21st April 384th BW, Little

B-47E Stratojet 52-0475 Aircraft left the runway, caught fire, and was destroyed
1961 Rock AFB, AR.
USAF
40th BW, Schilling Crashed near Hurley, WI on a low-level route only two miles from where another 40th BW
2nd May 1961 B-47E Stratojet 53-2331
AFB, KS. aircraft had crashed on February 24.
USAF
Capt. Frank 1st Lt. Demosthenis Capt. John Hil Capt. Dale B.
MeadIll D.Hariton navigator Rasmussen
AC Co-Pilot injured instructor pilot
survived killed [broken right shoulder and a killed
broken left leg]
307th BW, Lincoln

B-47E Stratojet 53-2111 The aircraft crashed after take off when an inboard engine caught fire
AFB, NE
USAF
1th8 June
1961
Capt. Russell Holst Wally Wesner Capt. Albert Marinich Capt. Alan Matson
AC Co-Pilot Navigator Co-Pilot
killed survived killed killed
Was there a fifth crew member on board ??
303rd BW, Davis Explosion while the aircraft was in level Flight, killing two of the four men aboard.crashed fifteen
Monthan AFB, AZ miles southeast of Las Animas, CO
USAF
19th August
1961
1st Lt. Raymound ?? A 1/C Richard ??
E. Glaub Jones
AC killed
killed
EB-47E Stratojet 376th BW, Crashed on take-off -drag chute was deployed.
1st September
Blue Cradle 52-0423 Lockbourne AFB, Destroyed by fire
1961
aircraft. OH. No fatalities
98th BW, Lincoln

B-47E Stratojet 52-0347 Crashed after takeoff.
AFB, NE.
15th USAF
November
1961
?? ?? ?? ??
100th BW, Pease Crashed into the trees short of the end of the runway on final approach at Plattsburgh AFB,
AFB, NH. NY
USAF
27th
November
1961
Capt. Robert 1st Lt. Herb L. Smith Al /C Robert L. Capt. William L.
Carrigan Co-Pilot Martin Markey
AC killed Asst. Crew Chief navigator
killed killed survived
22BW, March AFB,

CA.
USAF
5th January
1962
?? ?? ??
380th
Bombardment Missing west of Lake Champlain, on training mission practicing low-altitude bombing runs over
B-47E Stratojet 53-2119 Wing Watertown between Lake Ontario and the Adirondack wilderness, nearly 150 miles from
Plattsburgh Air Plattsburgh
USAF
Force Base
16th January
1962
circa 14:00
Aircraft Commander
Co-Pilot Navigator Observer
1st Lt. Rodney D.
1st Lt. Melvin Spencer 1st Lt. Albert W. Kandetski A1C Kenneth R. Jensen
Bloomgren
Missing Presumed Dead Missing Presumed Dead Missing Presumed Dead
Missing Presumed Dead
?06th BW, MacDill The aircraft crashed after take off at Tulsa, OK at Skiatook, OK,
AFB, FL. A rupture caused an explosion in the aft auxiliary fuel tank.
USAF
20th January
1962
?? ?? ??
ejected ejected ejected
The crew was scheduled to fly a 50-8 training flight that included air-refueling, flying the
Seahorse low-level route, dropping an MB-4 training bomb (blue devil) on the Matagordo
10th April 384th BW, Little
B-47E Stratojet 52-0459 range, and a series of bomb runs against the Matagordo RBS site. After completing their
1962 Rock, AFB, AR
mission, the aircraft headed for the Palacios VOR. Enroute, the pilot decided to fly a series of
USAF
“lazy eights.” During the maneuver, the pilot lost control of the aircraft, and it broke-up and
crashed two miles south of Collegeport, Texas
Maj. Robert E. 1st/Lt George R. Captain Leo E. McComb

Goodman Wilson navigator
AC Co-Pilot killed
killed survived
[did he eject ??]
340th BW, Whiteman AFB,

B-47E Stratojet 53-6230 Aircraft caught fire and exploded killing four firemen and injuring 18 others.
MO.
USAF
15th May
1962
also seen as Capt. Robert 1st/Lt. Capt. Richard Al /C James A2/C John
15th March S. Celmer Charles A. Bauer A. Carroll
1962 AC McComas, Jr. Navigator Underwood assistant crew
Co-Pilot acting crew chief
injured chief injured
injured
The crew survived. Egressed on the ground
The aircraft broke up in the air after Number 2 and Number 3 engines caught fire and
310th SAW,
B-47E Stratojet 53-6211 exploded ripping off the wing outboard of the engines.The force of the explosion
Schilling AFB, KS
shook the ground and it was seen over a great distance.
USAF
6th July 1962
?? ?? ??
Co-Pilot
ejected safely
19th July 307th BW, Lincoln Emergency landing at Des Moines, IA. Burned on runway.
1962 AFB, NE. Crew egressed safely on ground
USAF
96th BW, Dyess

B-47E Stratojet 52-390 Crashed into Emigrant Mountain, Montana at 8,000 feet starting a forest fire
AFB, TX
USAF
23rd July 1962
Captain Joseph W. 1st Lieutenant 1st Lieutenant Lt. Lloyd G.

"Bill" Faulconer David Thomas Frederick J. Sawyers
29 Sutton Hixenbaugh 29
El Dorado, Kansas 24 24 Cisco, Texas
killed Miami, Oklahoma Burton, West Virginia killed
(co-pilot) killed
killed
509th BW, Pease

B-47E Stratojet 52-0526 Crashed after power loss caused by broken fuel line
AFB, NH.
USAF
3rd August
1962
?? ?? ??
303rd BW, Davis-

B-47E Stratojet 52-0553 crashed into a mountain in Idaho while flying a low-level route
Monthan AFB, AZ.
USAF
22nd August
1962
LtC. Raymond N. Capt. William C. Lebbs, Major Glen A. McClure

McDonald, Jr. Jr. Navigator
AC Co-Pilot killed
killed killed
On a flight from Edwards AFB to the Willow Grove NAS, it crashed just after takeoff from
Tinker AFB
USAF
9th
September
1962
?? ??
killed killed
Only two crew on board
306th BW, MacDill

B-47E Stratojet 51-7027 The aircraft crashed on takeoff, the crew bailed out over Tampa Bay
AFB, Fl.
26th
USAF
September
1962
Captain. Robert E. Glenn Captain Thomas 1/Lt. Claude D. Young

AC D. Irvin navigator
ejected Co-Pilot ejected
ejected killed
55th SRW, Forbes

RB-47K Stratojet 53-4279 Crashed on takeoff, having lost the th 6 engine
AFB, KS
USAF
27th
September
1962
Lt Col 1st Lt. Paul Capt. Bruce S/Sgt. Myron
James Woolbright Greenawalt Kowol Curtis
AC Co-Pilot Navigator crew chief
55th SRW, Forbes

RB-47H Stratojet 53-6248 Crashed on take off at Kindley AFB, Bermuda
AFB
USAF
27th October
1962
Maj. William A. 1st Lt. Holt J. Capt. Robert A. Capt. Robert
Britton Rasmussen Constable C. Dennis
AC Co-Pilot Navigator observer
55th SRW, Forbes

RB-47H Stratojet 53-4297 Crashed at takeoff at MacDill
AFB, KS.
USAF
11th
November
1962
[12th ?] Capt. William E. Capt. William C. 1st Lt. Ronald M.
Wyatt Maxwell Rial
307th BW, Lincoln

B-47E Stratojet 53-2097 The aircraft crashed while attempting to make an emergency landing at McConnell AFB, KS.
AFB, NE
USAF
11th January
1963
Captain Paul Pudwell Captain Frank Medrick Captain Harry Jones

remained with the aircraft to ejected ejected
keep it from crashing over a
populated area
killed
The AC was landing at

Greenham Common in a snow storm with a crosswind that caused the aircraft to drift right of
307th BW, Lincoln
B-47E Stratojet 53-2134 the runway. The AC was attempting a go-round when Number 6 did not accelerate, resulting
AFB, NE
in a shift of thrust that caused a wingtip to drag. As the AC was fighting to put the aircraft on
USAF
the ground, the Co-Pilot, Captain Richard C. West, ejected and was killed
4th February
1963
Captain Paul Canney Captain Richard C. West Lt. Don Hickman S/Sgt. Bobby Odum
AC Co-Pilot navigator no ejection
no ejection ejected no ejection survived
survived killed survived
The aircraft crashed on a low level route near Springfield, MN. The aircraft was departing the
98th BW, Lincoln
B-47E 52-563 “Iron Horse” low level route when an outboard engine mount failed. Both the and the
AFB, NE.
navigator were unable to eject and were killed. All four aboard killed
USAF
21st February
1963
Capt. Donald Lt. Michael 1/ Lt. Thomas Lt.C. Lamar
Livingston Rebmann Hallgarth Ledbetter
AC Co-Pilot navigator instructor
ejected ejected killed navigator
The aircraft
307th BW, Lincoln The AC managed to get the aircraft high enough to allow the crew to eject
B-47E Stratojet 53-4226 crashed on
AFB, NE safely
takeoff
USAF
7th March AC, Maj. N.V. Lt. Larry Arthur Ingle Captain Clifford
1963 (Jim) Meeks Talovich second Co- Cork
was killed when Co-Pilot Pilot/fourth man nav
his lap belt failed ejected ejected ejected
because a gas port survived survived survived
hole was not
drilled when it was
manufactured
9th SAW, Mountain Collision with KC-135 which landed safely at Mountain Home. Crashed near Yellowstone
3rd May 1963 B-47E Stratojet 52-0051
Home, ID National Park
USAF
Captain Frank G. Captain Bruce A. Captain Loren R. S/Sgt. Lawrence E.

Zumbra Chapman Matthews Harrison
AC Co-Pilot navigator crew engineer
killed ejected and survived killed killed
11th July 98th BW, Zaragoza,

B-47E Stratojet 53-2160 crashed while making an emergency landing. One fatality
1963 Spain.
USAF
19th August 310th BW, Schilling mid air near

B-47E 53-2365
1963 AFB, KS Irwin, Iowa
USAF Crew details below - help
needed to match crew to
airframe
19th August 310th BW, Schilling mid air near
1963 AFB, KS Irwin, Iowa
USAF
Captain Richard Smiley Captain Peter J. Nacchei Captain Allen M. Ramsey Jr.
survived killed. survived
LtC. William W. Thomas Captain Leonard Theis Captain Richard Snowden

killed survived survived
20th August Elgin Air Force Veered off course on its landing approach and crash landed on a stretch of road that ran
QB-47 Stratojet
1963 Base parallel to the runway. Two cars were crushed by the crash landing, killing two occupants
USAF
10th 55th WRS, Air The aircraft landed 1,775 feet short of runway 340 at Lajes AB, Azores. The aircraft was returning to
November WB-47E Stratojet 51-2420 Weather Service, the states after flying weather reconnaissance for a fighter deployment across the Atlantic
1963 MATS to Turkey. Aircraft damaged beyond repaire
USAF
5th February 380th BW,
B-47E Stratojet 53-1868 Damaged when it landed short and engines 3, 4, and 6 were torn off.
1964 Plattsburgh, NY.
USAF
9th SAW, Mountain

B-47E Stratojet 52-0366 crashed on take in adverse weather conditions [fog?]
Home, ID.
USAF
6th February
1964
?? ?? ?? ??
384th BW, Little

B-47E Stratojet 52-0321 exploded and burned, killing the four-man crew and two children playing near a barn
Rock AFB, AR.
USAF
27th March
1964
?? ?? ?? ??
Det. th1 55th WRS,

B-47E Stratojet 51-7049 Air Weather Crashed on takeoff at Eielson AFB, AK.
Service, MATS.
USAF
21st April
1964
?? Co-Pilot Capt. Warren S. Major Conrad L. T/Sgt. Charles
AC badly burned Hillis Leinhart S. Heckman
badly burned navigator evaluator special equipment
killed killed operator
killed
509th BW, Pease

B-47E Stratojet 53-2296 Crashed on landing at Upper Heyford.
AFB, NH.
USAF
26th May
1964
Capt. Robert L. LtC. Robert 1st Lt. James Capt. Lowell L.
Lunden E. Johnson V.Mullen Mittlestad
[Lundin ?] Co-Pilot pilot 27
AC badle burned. survived Elmhurst, Illinois
survived Returned to flying
duty. [also seen as
Robert E.
Mittelstad]
[Killed in C-130
died in aircraft.
crash at Biggs
Army Field]
26th May 509th BW, Pease

B-47E Stratojet 52-0525 Damaged by B-47E 53-2296 crash landing
1964 AFB, NH
USAF
307th BW, Lincoln Participating in a night MITO takeoff when a fire in th 3 forced them to abort the takeoff on the
AFB, NE take-off roll.Aircraft was destroyed by fire
USAF
3rd June 1964
LeRoy McMath Stanley Tooney Tom Package

Safe ground egress Safe ground egress Safe ground egress
376th BW, Lincoln

B-47E Stratojet 53-2366 Crashed on a night takeoff when the aircraft would not accelerate
AFB, NE
USAF
27th July
1964
Capt. Thomas 1st Lt. David C. 1st Lt. Terrance Major John F.
Sutton Williams P. Murphy Sakray
AC Co-Pilot navigator navigator
killed killed
2nd
380th BW,
December B-47 Stratojet 53-2398 The landing gear collapsed as the aircraft was landing
Plattsburgh AFB, NY
1964
USAF
100th BW, Pease

B-47E Stratojet 52-0339 The aircraft crashed on takeoff
AFB, NH.
USAF
8th December
1964
Major Daniel J. Capt. Truman Major John R. Capt. Bennie W.
Campion Jr. A. Burch North Forrester
AC Co-Pilot Instructor navigator navigator
100th BW, Pease Collision with KC-135 collided during an air refueling and blew up off the coast of
AFB, NH. Newfoundland.
USAF
Capt. James B. Reddig Major Charles E. Capt. Milton S. Stone Capt. Frank Velazquez
26th February
AC Michigan Co-Pilot navigator
1965
killed instructor pilot killed killed
killed
There were no survivors of the four man B-47 crew or of the KC-135 crew.
53-2320 55th SRW, Forbes

EB-47E Stratojet Crashed due to crosswind landing at Incirlik, Turkey
Tell Two AFB, KS
USAF
3rd April 1965

Maj. Walter E. Capt. John W. Capt. Gary L. Capt. Barry L. Capt. Albert T.
Savage Dubyak Jacobs Hammond ParsonsElectronics
AC Co-Pilot Navigator Electronic Warfare Officer
survived survived killed Warfare Officer Died later of
survived injuries
55th SRW, Offutt Attacked by North Korean MiGs over the Sea of Japan. The damaged aircraft landed at Yokota
RB-47H Stratojet 53-4290
AFB, NE AFB, Japan
USAF
28th April
1965
LtC Hobart D. 1st Lt Dubuy Capt. Robert Capt. Robert C. 1st Lt. George 1st Lt. Joel J.
Matheson Jr. A. Rogers Winters Back Lutkenhouse
AC Co-Pilot Navigator EWO supervisor EWO
Made belly landing when landing gear failed to deploy. Aircraft had repeatedly flown in circles
509th BW, Pease
B-47E Stratojet 52-160 over Pease AFB and the Atlantic in attempts to lower gear for nearly seven hours. Refuelled
AFB, NH.
several times. Four man crew OK
USAF
Wednesday
21st July
1965
Captain Yale R. Davis Lt.Col. James B. Price ?? ??
Jr 40
31 Waco, Texas
Salina, Kansas instructor pilot
AC
Aeronautical
Systems Division,
Air Force Crashed on takeoff at Holloman, near Alamogordo, and was struck off charge on January 27,
NRB-47E Stratojet 53-4261
Systems Command 1966. Two killed. Were there only two crew on board?
USAF , Holloman AFB,
NM.
29th
December
1965 Captain James S. Major Loren H.
McIntyre Brooks
Dayton, Ohio Fairborn, Ohio
pilot killed
killed
Sincere thanks to
Former USAF & B-47 personnel
Colonel Sigmund Alexander, USAF (Ret) for sharing his considerable research on the B-
47 and allowing me to quote from sections on mishaps.
Jim Cason - Co-pilot B-47, USAF (Ret), ejected Tuesday 19th August 1958
Acknowledgements
Captain Cassius N Davison - USAF (Ret) - B-47 Co-Pilot - ejected I2th July 1960
Wes Bender - former Crew Chief, USAF (Ret)
Frank Way - former gunner on B-29s and B-36s, USAF (Ret)

Ejection Seat Development
Gordon Cress - Weber Aviation (Ret)
Other Sources
FLIGHT Magazine
The Aeroplane
Scramble Dutch Aviation Society
New York Times
Los Angeles Times
53-2267
B-47E Stratojet 97th BW, Biggs AFB, TX
[53-2268]?
page added Wednesday 6th April

page last updated Wednesday, 11 January 2012 23:39
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Aircraft by type

Boeing B-47 Stratojet

19th EDWARDS AIR

Captain Joseph Major Robert A. Master Sergeant

19th 369BS David J. Williams

3rd December Structural

Capt. Leonard Patrick

306th BW, McCoy

Lt C. Howard T. Weeks Capt. Herbert J. Maj. Raymond R.

306th BW, McCoy

21st February Damaged beyond

21st February Damaged beyond

19th March 3520th FTW bounced while

Captain William W. Tiller Maj. Eugene J. Marx Maj. S. E. Tucker

306th BW, MacDill

91st SRW, 323rd

Testing the Downward Ejection Seat System

?? October 1953 B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 3

?? October 1953 B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 4

?? October 1953 B-47 052 Elgin AFB Test 5

Lt. Hank Neilsen

Lt. Ed. Sperry

Lt. Ed. Sperry

caught fire and

B-47B Stratojet 51-2089 Wichita AFB, KS crashed while attempting to land

Capt. Harold L. Pristi Lt. Dale D. Smith Lt. Charles C. Hogan

22nd The aircraft

5th March 303rd BW, Davis-

LtC. Sidney Smith Maj. Herbert White Maj. Lloyd Zuppan

44th BW, Lake

2nd BW, Hunter

68th BW, Lake

27th July ARDC, Wright-

24th Overshot the

18th October 303rd BW, Davis- Crashed on

90th SRW, Forbes

Captain Dale H. Captain James 1st Lt. Max A. A 1/C Robert E.

68th BW, Lake

bailed out bailed out bailed out bailed out

Capt. Joseph R. Maj. Jules M. 1st Lt John R.

3200 Test Grp,

18th April 26th SRW,

303rd BW, Davis

21st June 321st BW,

2nd August 376th BW,

97th BW, Biggs

1stDecember 310th BW, Smoky

Maj. Samuel L. Capt Robert Capt. Lynn E. Capt. Arthur M.

715th BS, 509th

7th February 2nd BW, Hunter

Smoky Hill AFB

10th February 55thSRW, Forbes

5th April 1956

also seen as Crashed one mile short of the runway

Captain Marion J. 2nd Lieutenant Captain Charles H. Staff Sergeant William

40th BW, Smoky

2nd July 1956 B-47 Stratojet 53-2304

40th BW, Smoky