Elwood Call-Leader, April 16, 1952
Headline: Elwood Youth Killded in B-36 Crash
Charles Skyora Among Army Plane Victims
Sgt. Charles E. Sykora Jr., 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Sykora Sr., 217 North 9th street, was killed early Tuesday morning in a crash of a giant, 10-engine B-36 bomber at Fairchild Air Force base near Spokane, Wash.
The parents were notified Tuesday night that young Sykora was one of 15 crew members killed in the crash. Two men survived but were seriously burned and suffered shock.
The huge bomber fell on takeoff, crashed through a fence at the end of the runway and burst into flames in a farmer's wheat field. Bits of wreckage from the B-36, world's largest bomber, were left in its wake.
Authorities at Fairchild air base told investigators the B-36 hit with terrific force and pieces fell off as it bounded along the ground. It came to a halt in a wheat field and burned fiercely. Within minutes, the B-36 with its huge swept-back wing was virtually a shell.
The bomber was reported taking off on a routine training flight, according to Air Force officials. Fairchild Air Force base is located some 10 miles from Spokane.
Call Base
Hearing a radio report of the crash, Mr. and Mrs. Sykora became apprehensive and called the base but were told by authorities that their son was on a flight. An Air Force chaplain later phoned to inform the parents that their son had been killed in the bomber crash.
Air Force authorities at Fairchild base told Mr. and Mrs. Sykora that it will be three or four days before Sgt. Sykora's body can be sent to Elwood. The body will be taken to the Clark Chapel upon arrival here.
Sgt. Sykora had been a member of the U.S. Air Force since June 1950, having entered the service just prior to graduation from Wilkie high school. While in high school, he was a member of the band and played basketball.
He was a member of the Grace Methodist church and the DeMolay in Elwood.
Charles Sykora Jr. was born January 10, 1933 in Chicago.
Survivors include the parents and one sister, Mrs. Juanita Welcher, Elwood.
Headline: Elwood Youth Killded in B-36 Crash
Charles Skyora Among Army Plane Victims
Sgt. Charles E. Sykora Jr., 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Sykora Sr., 217 North 9th street, was killed early Tuesday morning in a crash of a giant, 10-engine B-36 bomber at Fairchild Air Force base near Spokane, Wash.
The parents were notified Tuesday night that young Sykora was one of 15 crew members killed in the crash. Two men survived but were seriously burned and suffered shock.
The huge bomber fell on takeoff, crashed through a fence at the end of the runway and burst into flames in a farmer's wheat field. Bits of wreckage from the B-36, world's largest bomber, were left in its wake.
Authorities at Fairchild air base told investigators the B-36 hit with terrific force and pieces fell off as it bounded along the ground. It came to a halt in a wheat field and burned fiercely. Within minutes, the B-36 with its huge swept-back wing was virtually a shell.
The bomber was reported taking off on a routine training flight, according to Air Force officials. Fairchild Air Force base is located some 10 miles from Spokane.
Call Base
Hearing a radio report of the crash, Mr. and Mrs. Sykora became apprehensive and called the base but were told by authorities that their son was on a flight. An Air Force chaplain later phoned to inform the parents that their son had been killed in the bomber crash.
Air Force authorities at Fairchild base told Mr. and Mrs. Sykora that it will be three or four days before Sgt. Sykora's body can be sent to Elwood. The body will be taken to the Clark Chapel upon arrival here.
Sgt. Sykora had been a member of the U.S. Air Force since June 1950, having entered the service just prior to graduation from Wilkie high school. While in high school, he was a member of the band and played basketball.
He was a member of the Grace Methodist church and the DeMolay in Elwood.
Charles Sykora Jr. was born January 10, 1933 in Chicago.
Survivors include the parents and one sister, Mrs. Juanita Welcher, Elwood.
Elwood Call-Leader, April 16, 1952
Headline: Elwood Youth Killded in B-36 Crash
Charles Skyora Among Army Plane Victims
Sgt. Charles E. Sykora Jr., 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Sykora Sr., 217 North 9th street, was killed early Tuesday morning in a crash of a giant, 10-engine B-36 bomber at Fairchild Air Force base near Spokane, Wash.
The parents were notified Tuesday night that young Sykora was one of 15 crew members killed in the crash. Two men survived but were seriously burned and suffered shock.
The huge bomber fell on takeoff, crashed through a fence at the end of the runway and burst into flames in a farmer's wheat field. Bits of wreckage from the B-36, world's largest bomber, were left in its wake.
Authorities at Fairchild air base told investigators the B-36 hit with terrific force and pieces fell off as it bounded along the ground. It came to a halt in a wheat field and burned fiercely. Within minutes, the B-36 with its huge swept-back wing was virtually a shell.
The bomber was reported taking off on a routine training flight, according to Air Force officials. Fairchild Air Force base is located some 10 miles from Spokane.
Call Base
Hearing a radio report of the crash, Mr. and Mrs. Sykora became apprehensive and called the base but were told by authorities that their son was on a flight. An Air Force chaplain later phoned to inform the parents that their son had been killed in the bomber crash.
Air Force authorities at Fairchild base told Mr. and Mrs. Sykora that it will be three or four days before Sgt. Sykora's body can be sent to Elwood. The body will be taken to the Clark Chapel upon arrival here.
Sgt. Sykora had been a member of the U.S. Air Force since June 1950, having entered the service just prior to graduation from Wilkie high school. While in high school, he was a member of the band and played basketball.
He was a member of the Grace Methodist church and the DeMolay in Elwood.
Charles Sykora Jr. was born January 10, 1933 in Chicago.
Survivors include the parents and one sister, Mrs. Juanita Welcher, Elwood.
Headline: Elwood Youth Killded in B-36 Crash
Charles Skyora Among Army Plane Victims
Sgt. Charles E. Sykora Jr., 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Sykora Sr., 217 North 9th street, was killed early Tuesday morning in a crash of a giant, 10-engine B-36 bomber at Fairchild Air Force base near Spokane, Wash.
The parents were notified Tuesday night that young Sykora was one of 15 crew members killed in the crash. Two men survived but were seriously burned and suffered shock.
The huge bomber fell on takeoff, crashed through a fence at the end of the runway and burst into flames in a farmer's wheat field. Bits of wreckage from the B-36, world's largest bomber, were left in its wake.
Authorities at Fairchild air base told investigators the B-36 hit with terrific force and pieces fell off as it bounded along the ground. It came to a halt in a wheat field and burned fiercely. Within minutes, the B-36 with its huge swept-back wing was virtually a shell.
The bomber was reported taking off on a routine training flight, according to Air Force officials. Fairchild Air Force base is located some 10 miles from Spokane.
Call Base
Hearing a radio report of the crash, Mr. and Mrs. Sykora became apprehensive and called the base but were told by authorities that their son was on a flight. An Air Force chaplain later phoned to inform the parents that their son had been killed in the bomber crash.
Air Force authorities at Fairchild base told Mr. and Mrs. Sykora that it will be three or four days before Sgt. Sykora's body can be sent to Elwood. The body will be taken to the Clark Chapel upon arrival here.
Sgt. Sykora had been a member of the U.S. Air Force since June 1950, having entered the service just prior to graduation from Wilkie high school. While in high school, he was a member of the band and played basketball.
He was a member of the Grace Methodist church and the DeMolay in Elwood.
Charles Sykora Jr. was born January 10, 1933 in Chicago.
Survivors include the parents and one sister, Mrs. Juanita Welcher, Elwood.
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