Back

DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT (Transcribed from the Original )

On 17 January 1949, two (2) B-29 Aircraft were briefed at Scampton, England, and departed on a flight to Keflavik, Iceland, by way of Prestwick and Barra Head, Scotland. The flight path would carry the two aircraft through a cold front and a low-pressure area off the east coast of Scotland. The pilots were briefed to the effect that there would be heavy icing in all clouds that might be encountered.

B-29 #034 departed Scampton at 00900 hours, passed through the frontal area at an altitude of 5,500 feet without difficulty, and when approximately 400 miles from Iceland, was notified that the weather was below minimum and was instructed to return to Prestwick, his alternate. Upon arrival at Prestwick, the pilot was advised that it was closed, so he returned to Scampton, successfully completing the flight.

B29A #44-62276 departed Scampton at 0805 hours, cruising at 10,500 feet. Approximately one hour and fifteen minutes after take off, the pilot contacted Air Traffic Control at Prestwick and requested a change of altitude from 8,500 to 14,500 feet. No indication of any difficulty was given and the new altitude of 14,500 feet was authorised. At approximately 0950 hours, the aircraft crashed on a plateau, elevation 1,200 to 1,300 feet. The location of the accident is 47 miles NNW of Prestwick, Scotland, and two and a half miles NNW of Lochgolilhead, Scotland. It was established that, at the time change of altitude was requested, 2,276 was encountering heavy icing conditions.

The flight path of the aircraft immediately before the crash, coincided with the correct heading from Scampton to Barra Head. Most of the wreckage was found in a 70 foot long trench, approximately 20 feet wide and 3 to 6 feet deep, with both main gears and nose gear on one edge and one horizontal stabiliser (only one could be found) on the other edge. A freshly disturbed area on top of a 2000 foot hill in the flight path and the position of the wreckage, plus the fact that an airspeed indicator, indicating 250, was found, led the Accident Board to believe that the heavily iced aircraft scraped a wing on top of the hill, became inverted, and crashed into the plateau some 700 feet below.

From the position of the wreckage, it was determined that the aircraft struck the ground at a very high angle of dive and was almost completely buried in the soft, spongy ground. The aircraft was completely destroyed and burned for nearly 24 hours.

The emergency condition was known to the crew and passengers, in that each of the remains had either the parachute attached or in the immediate vicinity.