Fateful flight B-52 proved fatefiu weakness

ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN, Maine (AP) - During the Cold War flying training mission Lt. snowy areas. Colonel device's power that he did not read the groundbreaking large-scale plane hit turbulence and B-52 bombers Bulli. Pushing forward, pulling back on the yoke and gas, he tried to fly out of the strong wind. Then there was a loud explosion.

Now, the B-52 Stratofortress aircraft and even the legendary flying in Afghanistan and Iraq, the U.S. military mission in the history of one of the longest serving. Aircraft will remain in service for years to come. However, after serious structural flaws in aviation disaster in New Mexico 50 years ago without a horse six days a week and never be the same.

Massachusetts WESTOVER Air Force Base January 24, 1963, was on that fatal flight. Staff nuclear strike treetop level to avoid radar is designed to help the pilot fly is learning to use the land. Unexpected advances in structural fatigue, which led to the Soviet radar detection, 185-foot wingspan to prevent the aircraft to fly low to the ground, Underwood said.

Others, including two teachers, who joined the flight. Gerald Adler, navigator, an electronic warfare officer with the pilot's seat and co-pilot, the plane immediately Produce is one of only three. The rest of the staff had to go down or up.

About 10 kilometers from here, in the club at Moosehead Riders snowmobile club, newspaper clippings, Bulli Adler parachute and ejection seat for displee.Klub held a ceremony on the site for 20 years and this year took place on Saturday, continuing the anniversary. Pomerleau took over the organization of the memory of other members, Pete Pratt, which helps keep the memory of the flights over the years.

Pratt crashes site hundreds of times, but it is still an emotional experience. Tears welled in her eyes during a recent visit.

"This is a very complete," said Pomerleau, who joined Pratt in place. "I think the family, the wife lost their husbands, children lost their father, grandchildren, listening to stories. There's so much to see."