Details from the Official Accident Report

Aircraft: B-29-A "Superfortress" Bomber

Aircraft No. 45-21847

Home Station: Armitage Field - Inyokern, CA

Crew:Mad-----, RobertCapt., USAF

Hes-----, Paul1st Lt., USAF

Bur------, DavidS/Sgt., USAF

Ric-----, FrankSgt., USAF

Sim-----, JohnCivilian

Assignment: Upper Air Research Project

Description of Accident:

This aircraft was on an atmospheric research mission which entailed flying from the ground to 30,000 feet and return to as low an altitude as possible. The mission was estimated to be of 3 hours duration. The pilot was considered very proficient in this type of aircraft. The aircraft had a takeoff weight of 104,556 lbs. and had been airborne two (2) hours and forty-five (45) minutes when the crash occurred.

The weather at the time of the accident was high scattered to clear skies with light variable surface winds over the area. The surface wind at 1130 PST at Las Vegas was 11mph from the ESE. Boulder City did not transmit the 1130 weather but the 1230 weather for Boulder City showed the surface winds to be eight (8) mph from the SSE with the sky condition high scattered and forty (40) miles visibility.

The aircraft had made the minimum altitude run and all runs to 30,000 feet and return. At the time of the accident the aircraft was making the minimum altitude run after return from 30,000 feet. This run was being made in a -------------- direction on the portion of Lake Mead, Nevada that ----------------------------. (location information omitted) The aircraft was making good an indicated airspeed of 230 mph at an indicated altitude of 1600 feet. After approximately three (3) minutes at this altitude during which time the civilian scientist, Mr. J.W. Simeroth, was recording his data the aircraft struck the water. In Mr. Simeroth's statement, he states that he recorded the altitude as 1600 feet with the Kollsman scale set at 29.92" Hg. The 1130 PST weather sequence for Las Vegas reported a setting of 29.83" Hg.

The surface of the water at this time was to quote the crew "As smooth as glass." Immediately upon contact with the water numbers two (2), three (3) and four (4) engines were torn completely off the airplane. The pilot detected a fire in number one (1) engine at this time. All engine fuel shut-off valves were closed immediately. Also a large portion of the skin on the underside of the left wing had been torn off and the left horizontal stabilizer had been badly twisted and torn. An attempt was made to feather number one (1) engine and all throttles were closed.

The airplane skipped and gained approximately 200 to 300 feet after the initial touchdown. The pilot and co-pilot stated their combined efforts were required to hold the aircraft and that it was vibrating excessively. The co-pilot's airspeed was indicating 150 mph when the airplane was felt to stall. At this time the pilot's airspeed was indicating 45 mph so it is believed too much reliability cannot be placed on the co-pilot's indicated airspeed of 150 mph.

On the second touchdown the airplane was in a tail low attitude and the deceleration forces were not very great. The airplane traveled approximately 200 to 300 yards before it stopped and the airplane was afloat for approx. twelve (12) minutes before it sank.