B-29A Superfortress #42-93922 departed MacDill Field, Tampa, Florida on a training flight to Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico. Somewhere over the Gulf of Mexico, about 100 miles southwest of Key Largo, a fire in the № 3 motor grew intense and could not be extinguished.

The co-pilot sounded the evacuation alarm and the pilot dropped to 7,300 feet in elevation (the B-29 has pressurized crew compartments so escape is not done above 10,000 feet) and crewmembers assisted each other getting their parachutes ready. The co-pilot gave the order to abandon ship at 09:09 hours and the extra fuel tanks in the bomb bays were jettisoned. The navigator gave the radio operator last second coordinates to transmit, but because the bomber was experiencing radio difficulties, it is unlikely the message actually transmitted. Except for the pilot and co-pilot, the crewmembers made their way to the bomb bays and parachuted. The two in the cockpit exited through the front wheel well and it was believed all thirteen members left the doomed plane.

However, only Navigator 2nd Lt. William L. Jiler and Bombardier 2nd Lt. John H. Matthews survived the ordeal in the sea and were rescued the following day. The body of one crewmember was recovered from the water. The ten remaining men were missing and presumed lost at sea.

The personnel dead and missing were:

2LT Daniel R Ahern, Jr, unknown, NY, Pilot

2LT Anthony Laskow, O-822028, NY, Co-Pilot

1LT Cecil C McKinney, O-811107, WV, B-29 Instructor Pilot

2LT 1LT James V Reams, unknown, PA, Radar Operator

SSGT Erwin W Beck, 15017182, OH, Flight Engineer

SGT Thomas P Proffitt, 33891391, MD, Radio Operator

SGT Louis T Kapusta, 35020383, OH, Asst. Engineer

TSGT Quincy L Zickafoose, 35430673, WV, R/O Instructor

CPL William L Phillips, 36979833, IL, Asst. Radio Operator

CPL Bob L Smith, 37733256, KS, Gunner

CPL James C Spears, 19152034, CA, Tail Gunner

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Erwin was the son of Orley and Essie Hower Beck of Plain Township and had a sister, Anna. He graduated from high school and worked as a clerk in a retail clothing store. Erwin enlisted in the Air Corps at Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio on 15 December 1941. He started as a private and was promoted in succession to sergeant. He married Helen Morrow. Erwin went missing in the ocean south of Florida.

Obituary: Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune, 6/28/1945 P.1 Col.1