Investigation Summary
The accident occurred during a ferry mission following a Chrome Dome airborne alert mission to Europe. The B-52D was cruising at 30,000 feet when it encountered extreme turbulence associated with a winter blizzard. In an attempt to find smoother air, the crew requested and performed several altitude changes, descending to 29,000 feet and then receiving clearance to climb to 33,000 feet. During this climb, the stresses placed on the airframe by the atmospheric conditions exceeded the structural limits of the vertical stabilizer's attachment points. The entire tail fin snapped off, a failure mode that had occurred just three days earlier to another B-52 over New Mexico (though that crew successfully landed). Without the vertical stabilizer, the aircraft entered an uncontrollable descent. Major McCormick ordered an immediate bailout. The recovery of the crew was severely hampered by the terrain of the Savage River State Forest and the ongoing blizzard, with searchers battling deep snow to reach the survivors and locate the deceased.
Final Conclusions
The crash was caused by the structural failure of the vertical stabilizer due to severe atmospheric turbulence. The investigation highlighted the vulnerability of the B-52's tail structure to high-stress lateral loads in extreme weather. The two B53-0 Y1 nuclear bombs were recovered; although the Department of Defense initially reported them as relatively intact, Sandia National Laboratories safety engineers later stated the weapons had broken apart on impact, requiring a specialized recovery process by the Atomic Energy Commission.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
B-52 Down: The Night the Bombs Fell From the Sky — A detailed look at the January 13, 1964, crash of a B-52 bomber carrying two nuclear bombs during a western Maryland blizzard.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Systems & Failure Modes
Vertical Stabilizer
The tail fin responsible for directional stability; its separation caused a total loss of control.
Ejection Seats
Four crew members successfully used their seats to exit the falling aircraft, though survival equipment was lost or inaccessible for two.
B53 Nuclear Bombs
High-yield thermonuclear weapons carried in ferry mode; they did not detonate but suffered structural damage upon impact.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was carrying two B53-0 Y1 nuclear bombs in a ferry configuration with no electrical connections to the plane.
- 02The tail gunner, TSgt Wooten, survived the ejection with a broken leg but died of exposure 800 yards from a Salisbury street light.
- 03The navigator, Major Payne, fell 30 feet through a tree after his parachute became entangled, leaving his survival gear out of reach.
- 04A similar B-52 structural failure had occurred just three days prior over New Mexico, though that aircraft landed safely.
- 05The crash site is marked today by a stone cross memorial in the Savage River State Forest.
Safety Actions & Advisories
B-52 Structural Reinforcement
Following multiple tail separation incidents in 1964, the B-52 fleet underwent structural modifications to strengthen the vertical stabilizer attachment points.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Condition of Nuclear Weapons
Reference ↗Official Department of Defense reports stated the bombs were relatively intact, but Sandia National Laboratories safety engineer William L. Stevens later claimed both bombs broke apart on impact, leading to a dispute over the safety of their recovery.