Paducah, TX Fatal Air Force Plane Crash, Mar 1952

An Air Force Tornado jet bomber from Langley Air Force base, Va., crashed and exploded twenty-two miles northwest of Paducah, Cottle County, killing its crew of four. A heavy duststorm was sweeping the area at the time.

The 4-engine B-45 was returning to its home base on a cross-country training flight.

The wife of a railroad worker, Mrs. I. R. Hull, saw the plane plunge to earth near the small community of Narcisso and notified a funeral home at Paducah. It was several hours before searching parties reached the scene.

Witnesses said the plane was trailing so much black smoke they could hardly see it.

Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX 22 Mar 1952

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One Texan Killed In Paducah Crash

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va., March 22 (AP).---One Texan was among the four airmen killed in a B-45 crash Saturday near Paducah, Texas.

He was listed Saturday as Pfc. Thomas F. Penninger, 21, gunner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harlon M. Penninger, Lubbock.

The plane crashed after taking off from Reece Air Force Base at Lubbock.

Other victims were the pilot, First Lt. Billy M. Reynolds, 26, Cleveland, Miss.; Lt. Winfred R. Weller, Denver, Colo., and Cpl. Henry G. Geiger, 19, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX 23 Mar 1952
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!