April 11, 1983, USAF Boeing B-52G (58-0161) Square Top Mountain, UT
The scheduled activity included cell departure and join-up, enroute cell formation, high altitude contingency training, and low level navigation/terrain avoidance/simulated weapons delivery/threat avoidance. This training activity was part of an advanced aerial combat training exercise hosted at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada known as "RED FLAG".
A maintenance delay with LURE 75 was resolved and the aircraft departed Robbins AFB at 0924. Both aircraft joined-up over the Oklahoma City VORTAC where the crew of LURE 75 reported additional problems with various navigation and flight control avionics. The problems were not considered serious and the mission continued with LURE 75 taking the lead to the low level entry point.
At 1130 (MST) LURE 75 received a low level weather update from Nellis Control. The forecast called for broken cloud bases at 15,000 to 20,000 feet with minimum ceilings of 4,600 feet along the route traversing south-western Utah.
LURE 75 entered IR-126 with LURE 76 three minutes later (20 mile spacing). LURE 76 reported variable weather conditions which included cloud obscurred mountain ridges and peaks. At 1220 (MST) and traveling about 320 knots, LURE 75 impacted the south face of 7,050 foot Square Top Mountain at approximately the 6,800 foot level.
On board aircraft LURE 75 were:
Capt. Donald W. Hiebert......Pilot
1st.Lt. Thomas C. Lennep Jr....Co-Pilot
Capt. Jonathan M. Bishop.....Radar Navigator
1st.Lt. Matthew W. Cervenak....Navigator
1st.Lt. Bernard S. Russell.....Electronic Warfare Officer
SSgt. Major Carter...........Gunner
Col. Caroll D. Gunther......Pilot/Safety Observer
The aircraft was completely destroyed on impact. There were no survivors.
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I first visited this crash site during the Fall of 1996. Due to approaching weather, my visit was limited to the south face (impact point) and summit of Square Top Mountain.
The USAF Accident Report and an aerial survey of the site conducted by LostFlights, revealed that a majority of large fragments had been projected over the summit during the collision with the mountain.
The following photos were taken during my aerial survey of the site and of my 1996 visit.
The B-52G (58-0161) was operating out of Robbins AFB in Georgia under call sign LURE 75.
Diagram of the Boeing B-52G Stratofortress.
The flight of two B-52Gs were taking part in the RED FLAG training exercise when they began their flight segment through southern Utah.
Planview of Square Top Mountain showing distribution of wreckage.
Lure 75 impacted the south slope of Square Top Mountain about 250 feet below the summit. The aircraft was in a slight left bank at the moment of impact.
The imprinted sillouette of the B-52G is visible on the snow covered slope in this photo taken shortly after the missing aircraft was discovered. The aircraft was missing for three days. The search was hampered by weather. (Photo courtesy of Craig Fuller/AAIR)
During 1996, I conducted an aerial survey of southern Utah's Square Top Mountain to see if any wreckage remained of the B-52G.
It wasn't long before I spotted wreckage on the south face of the mountain near the summit.
The main impact point (Bottom of photo) and wreckage was still visible during a low pass in 1996.
Many of the larger aircraft fragments were projected over the mountain and were located on the mountain's north face.
These large fragments were projected over the summit of the mountain during the B-52G's impact with the south face and were located on the north face.
The B-52Gs vertical stabilizer was one many large fragments located on my aerial survey.
To see more of this accident site, I needed to hike to it. It was a tough climb up to the impact site on Square Top Mountain.
A stepping switch for the flare ejecting system. Many system components were located at the impact point.
Evidence of a high-speed impact was finding that many fragments were imbedded into the mountain at the main impact point. This one would not even move.
An interesting fragment with a possible painted logo or insignia.
This fragment had painted lettering.
A fragmented Pratt & Whitney J57-P-43WB engine casing near the main impact point.
Part of the elevator flight control system.
Engine casing material and components were scattered over a large area.
A support fitting.
This large wing fragment still had a few vortex generators attached.
An earliar visitor had placed this wreckage between a few rocks.
Negotiating loose rock on the 45 degree slope was a challenge on both the hike up and down.
At the summit looking southwest in the direction that LURE 75 would have been flying from.
This memorial is located at the summit of 7,050 foot Square Top Mountain.
A view from the summit looking down the mountain's north face. A majority of wreckage ended up down there. An approaching storm kept me from exploring further.
TO BE CONTINUED.