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

~

Cecil Claude McKinney, Son of George Wesley McKinney and Charlotte May Ashworth McKinney.

Cecil was a Air Force pilot, his plane was shot down over a body of water during WWII, his body was never found.

Information supplied to me by Charlotte Elkins, Thank you for your help.

Bonnie

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Suggested edit: Cecil Claude McKinney was lost on a training mission in the Gulf of Mexico when his B29 developed engine problems. The ensuing fire caused the plane to go down. Two crew members were saved the next day, but Cecil's body was never recovered. The crash took place about 100 miles southeast of Key West, Florida. The mission started at McDill Air Force Base near Tampa.

Contributor: Anonymous (48511058)

Thank You for sending this information.