DOD: The B-47 departed Homestead Air Force Base shortly after midnight on a deployment mission. Shortly after liftoff one of aircraft's outrigger tires exploded. The aircraft crashed in an uninhabited area approximately 3,800 feet from the end of the runway. The aircraft was carrying one weapon in ferry configuration in the bomb bay and one nuclear capsule in a carrying case in the crew compartment. The weapon was enveloped in flames which burned and smoldered for approximately four hours after which time it was cooled with water. Two low order high explosive detonations occurred during the burning. The nuclear capsule and its carrying case were recovered intact and only slightly damaged by heat. Approximately one-half of the weapon remained. All major components were damaged by identifiable and accounted for.

CDI: Four crewmen were killed.


Newspapers.com (find more reliable source?) Reno Gazette reported the four crewman's identities: First Lt. John A. Edwards, 24, pilot. Capt. James D. Perky, 30, air craft commander. Capt. Thomas C. Thomann, 38, navigator. Airman 1c William Jones, 23.