October 2, 1941: USAAF Douglas B-18A (37-515), Agassiz Peak, San Francisco Peaks, AZ

The cargo/ferry flight should have been delayed or cancelled, but it wasn’t. The weather over much of Northern Arizona consisted of a mixture of rain and snow with low visibilities, but for whatever reason First Lt. Arnold King and his crew departed the Army Air Depot in Sacramento, California. The Douglas B-18A (37-515) with six on-board departed with a planned route that would take them east over Bakersfield and Daggett. The ultimate Destination was Kirtland Army Air Field outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

As the flight progressed, un-forecasted weather moved in along the B-18’s planned route. A strong upper-level south/southwest wind pushed the aircraft off route and into mountainous terrain. Flying a heading of 300 degrees, the B-18A impacted the south face of Agassiz Peak at 10,800 feet. The impact and ensuing explosion and fire killed all on board.

***********************************************************************************************************************************

Very little wreckage remains from the accident. The site consists of a few wing fragments, landing gear and various components from the aircraft and engines. Much of the wreckage was salvaged shortly after the accident.

THE AIRCRAFT

The aircraft involved in this mishap was a Douglas B-18A "Bolo" (37-515).
douglas
The B18A encountered un-forecasted weather and strong southerly winds.

Possibly "Snow Static" caused interference with navigational equipment allowing the aircraft to drift off course and into terrain.

Snow Static was a common problem in early aviation when a build-up of charged static electricity would interfere with 1st generation radio equipment rendering it unreliable.
b181
THE CRASH SITE - OCTOBER 1941

The left wing broke off about 10 feet of the top of approximately six trees. The aircraft then hit the ground approximately 30 feet beyond the group of trees, tearing off both wings and the horizontal stabilizer.
shapeimage
The gas tanks exploded and the ensuing fire engulfed the plane back to the radio operator’s compartment.
Picture
CRASH SITE - 1990-1995

This aerial photo illustrates the remaining debris of the B-18A within the yellow circle.
The debris is located in a concentrated pattern and very difficult to locate on the ground.
Some components are easily identifiable, such as this landing gear and wheel assembly.
Sections of wing and fuselage panels appear to be piled by the early salvors who removed most of the Bolo's wreckage.

***THE END***