Boeing B-29A 44-62276 Superfortress of the 301st Bombardment Group USAF, crashed below Beinn Tharsuinn about 2.5 miles to the west of Lochgoilhead in central Scotland on the 17th January 1949

 

Sheldon C. Craigmyle 1st Lieutenant Pilot Killed
Myrton P. Barry 1st Lieutenant Co-pilot Killed
Richard David Klingenberg 1st Lieutenant Navigator Killed
Robert A. Fritsche 1st Lieutenant Bombardier Killed
Delbert E. Cole Technical Sergeant Passenger Killed
Wayne W. Baker Master Sergeant Passenger Killed
John B. Lapicca Sergeant Passenger Killed
Malcolm W. Bovard Staff Sergeant Passenger Killed
Anthony V. Chrisidis Sergeant Passenger Killed
Rufus W. Mangum Sergeant Passenger Killed
Jack L. Heacock Private 1st Class Passenger Killed
Henry P. Prestosh Master Sergeant Passenger Killed
Frank M. Dobbs Jnr Technical Sergeant Passenger Killed
Cecil G. Jones Sergeant Passenger Killed
Charles W. Ross Sergeant Passenger Killed
Robert J. Brown Private 1st Class Passenger Killed
Rufus G. Taylor Technical Sergeant Passenger Killed
Paul W. Knight Sergeant Passenger Killed
Frederick N. Cook Private 1st Class Passenger Killed
Bruce Joseph Krumholz Private 1st Class Passenger Killed

 

The aircraft was being returned from deployment to RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire to its home air station in the USA. The first leg of the flight was to Keflavik in Iceland, this was being conducted with another B-29. On approaching central Scotland the second aircraft turned back due to poor weather, while the crew of this aircraft continued on. A short while later the aircraft dived into the ground in Succoth Glen. No cause was ever determined for the accident although icing while flying in clouds was seen as a contributory factor to the probable loss of control which resulted in the aircraft diving into the ground.

Overview of the crash site of Boeing B-29 44-62276 in Succoth Glen below Beinn Tharsuinn near Lochgoilhead
Above is an overview of the crash site with large sections of main spar in the foreground and memorial at the top end of the site.
Tail turret at the crash site of Boeing B-29 44-62276 in Succoth Glen below Beinn Tharsuinn near Lochgoilhead
Now lying on its side in a hollow is the battered tail turret.
Badly damaged tail turret at the crash site of Boeing B-29 44-62276 in Succoth Glen below Beinn Tharsuinn near Lochgoilhead
It is only when the turret is viewed from the opposite side that the extent of the damage it suffered is apparent.
Wright Cyclone engine at the crash site of Boeing B-29 44-62276 in Succoth Glen below Beinn Tharsuinn near Lochgoilhead
The aircraft’s engines lie scattered about the site with varying degrees of damage, this engine is missing all of the equipment off the back.
Wright Cyclone engine at the crash site of Boeing B-29 44-62276 in Succoth Glen below Beinn Tharsuinn near Lochgoilhead
This engine lies close to the tail turret and still has the propeller reduction gearbox and prop hub attached to it.
Grave of 1st Lieutenant Richard David Klingenberg at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Francisco, California
As with all post war USAF accidents, the victims were returned to the USA for burial, the aircraft’s navigator, 1st Lieutenant Richard David Klingenberg was buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Francisco, California