B-24 42-7350 crash SE of Willcox Arizona on March 20 1944

B-24 42-7350 crash SE of Willcox Arizona on March 20, 1944

Davis-Monthan based B-24E, 42-7350, took off from Davis-Monthan on March 20, 1944, for a high altitude formation flight and gunnery mission. According to the AAF mishap report, the aircraft started falling out of formation. “The plane continued to lose altitude so the pilot attempted an emergency landing with flaps up. Plane anded about 20 miles southeast of Willcox Dry Lake...rolled until it hit a gully which sheared off the right gear. Plane caught fire and burned. Pilot was instantly killed. Three other crew members trapped in the plane burned to death.

Fatally injured:
Gerard F. Hayden
George C. Stoffel
Martin G. Wegehaupt
Roger McCord

Burned remains of the B-24.

Consolidated's Fort Worth assembly plant. The first and third aircraft (right assembly line) are B-24E-25-CF S/N 41-29074 and 41-29075. The second aircraft is B-24D-10-CF S/N 42-63858. Note the PB4Y-1 for the U.S. Navy being assembled on the far assembly line. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Melted aluminum, .50 caliber links, and bullets among the debris field.

Small scattered debris including remains of a .50 caliber round.

Plate to plug in a flight suit at higher elevation.