BOMBER CRASH IN S. D. KILLS 24 MEN.

THREE AIRMEN SURVIVE BUT ARE 'CRITICAL'

Rapid City, S. D. (AP) -- Twenty-four crewmen were carried to shattering, flaming death when a B36 bomber crashed and burned as it powered to a landing at the nearby Ellsworth Air Force Base at 10:10 p.m. Friday night after a training flight.
The only three survivors were reported in critical condition at the base hospital.
The plane, largest of the nation's propeller-driven ships, struck a small hill on the ranch of ALFRED SWALLOW a mile and a half northwest of the base, apparently with full power on.
SWALLOW said the concussion shook the ground "as though a bomb had hit." He and his son, HAROLD, drove to the scene but were repelled from rescue efforts by the veritable inferno of flame which burst out immediately.
Control tower officers reported the weather clear and "conditions perfect for a landing" at the time.
Firemen from the base forestalled a possible prairie fire by pouring water on the numerous brush and grass fires set by the fiery wreckage. The scene was placed under military guard pending the visit of an inquiry board.
The 24 bodies, badly torn and charred, were brought into a Rapid City mortuary.
Officers confirmed that the bomber had a loading list of 27 men when it took off earlier Friday on what was to have been a routine training flight.
At 4:30 A.M. base officers said the wreck still was burning too fiercely for an immediate search for more bodies. Fire fighting equipment from the base was hampered from reaching the smashed fuselage section by exploding fuel and ammunition.
The wreckage was scattered widley over a quarter mile area, one officer reported. He described the weather as "perfect" at the time the ship was to have landed.
Officers said the plane apparently struck a small hill as it approached the lenghty runway and was burst apart and fired within seconds. It came down about a mile and a half from the base on a ranch located about 13 miles west of this southwestern South Dakota city of 25,000.
SWALLOW, also said there were a number of explosions.
Names of all victims were being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The Bismarck Tribune North Dakota 1954-08-28

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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!