Copyright © Chris McDoniel

“Breakaway!” yelled the boom operator of KC-97, S/N 51-320, after noticing fire coming from the right wing of receiver aircraft, B-47E, S/N 51-2440.  The two aircrafts were in the process of aerial refueling northeast of Tucson. Breakaway was the emergency signal in the refueling process for the two planes to immediately separate. 

The two Strategic Air Command (SAC) aircraft disconnected, and according to the Air Force mishap report,  the B-47 “was observed making a shallow banked descending turn to the right (note: this would put the B-47 on a heading of almost due west). The rate of descent increased rapidly and in the course of descent the aircraft exploded and fell to the ground in two sections. No communications were heard from the B-47. Investigation reveals that number 4 engine disintegrated inflight. It was determined that this malfunction caused the fire and subsequent crash.”

Four men lost their lives in the crash (seat position listed)

Lt. Colonel Douglas Howard Bratcher, pictured below (In observer’s seat.)
Major Hayward Walton McEver (in pilot’s seat)
Captain Jesse Grady Williams (A/C seat)
Airman 1st Class William Lloyd Child (in 4th seat/aisle)

B-47E, 51-2440, SAC, 15th Air Force, 303rd Bombardment Wing, Davis-Monthan, Arizona