Pease Air Force Base – January 4, 1961

Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire – January 4, 1961     

RB-47E Stratojet
U.S. Air Force Photo

     On January 4, 1961, an Air Force B-47E Stratojet, (Ser. No. 53-4244), with four men aboard, crashed on takeoff while taking off for a 7.5 hour training flight.  The aircraft impacted and exploded about 500 yards off the end of the runway.  None aboard survived.

     The dead were reported as:

     Pilot: Captain Thomas C. Weller, (28), of Germantown, Maryland.  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49336073/charles-thomas-weller

     Co-pilot: 1st Lt. Ronald J. Chapo, (26), of Allen Park, Michigan.  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/207829632/ronald-joseph-chapo

     Navigator : 1st Lt. J. A. Wetherbee, (27), of Marshall, Minnesota. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/87782645/john-alan-wetherbee

     Crew Chief: S/Sgt. Stephen J. Merva, (23) of Whitney, Pennsylvania. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/129234942/stephen-j-merva

       Sources:

     Evening Star, (Wash. D.C.), “Montgomery Pilot Killed In Crash”, January 5, 1961. 

     www.findagrave.com

     Aviation Safety Network

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