Investigation Summary
The accident aircraft was a B-17G (registration 43-39136) that had been stripped of its armaments for passenger service, though it had not yet been fitted with standard passenger seating. The flight was transporting service members from CFB Goose Bay to Mitchel Air Force Base, with a scheduled stopover at Westover Field. On this final leg, the flight encountered deteriorating weather conditions over Massachusetts. The crew was forced to hold over Holyoke for approximately two hours as fog and heavy rain obscured the terrain. During this period, the pilot's log indicated mechanical distress, specifically low oil pressure and overheating in the No. 2 engine, which was reportedly smoking. At approximately 10:20 PM, while attempting a final approach to Westover Field, the aircraft struck the southeast slope of Mount Tom at an elevation of approximately 900 feet. The Civil Aeronautics Authority later determined that the dense fog likely prevented the crew from seeing the beacon light positioned at the summit. The impact triggered two distinct explosions, scattering fuel and debris across the rocky terrain. Despite the intensity of the fire, a subsequent heavy downpour helped prevent a larger forest fire. Recovery efforts were significantly delayed by the terrain and the condition of the wreckage, with the fire burning for nearly 10 hours post-impact.
Final Conclusions
The crash was classified as Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT). Contributing factors included severe weather conditions (fog and rain) that reduced visibility below minimums, the potential failure of the crew to identify the Mount Tom beacon, and mechanical issues involving the No. 2 engine that may have distracted the crew or degraded aircraft performance during the descent.
Video Analysis
The Mt. Tom B-17 Crash Memorial (Digital Exclusive) — A look at the history of the 1946 crash and the community efforts to build a permanent memorial for the 25 servicemen and officials lost on Mount Tom.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Systems & Failure Modes
Engine No. 2
The aircraft experienced low oil pressure and overheating in this engine prior to the crash, resulting in visible smoke.
Mount Tom Beacon
A navigational light located at the summit intended to warn pilots of the terrain; investigators believe fog prevented the crew from seeing it.
Interesting Facts
- 01The crash was witnessed by approximately 4,000 people at the nearby Mountain Park amusement area.
- 02The aircraft was transporting 25 people: 8 Army Air Corps crew members, 15 Coast Guardsmen, one Red Cross official, and one U.S. Public Health Service doctor.
- 03Identification of the victims took a week, with the pilot finally identified via dental records on July 16, 1946.
- 04The site remained unmarked for 48 years until a local resident initiated a memorial project in 1994.
- 05Debris from the aircraft is still visible at the site and is often collected by hikers to place on the memorial stone.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Permanent Memorial Construction
In July 1996, a granite memorial stone was erected at the crash site to honor the 25 victims, as the site had previously been unmarked.