Aircraft Wrecks in the Mountains and Deserts of the American West

B-24E
3/3/44

ID plate from B-24E #42-7126 U.S.A.A.F.

Consolidated B-24E #427126 U.S.A.A.F. crashed in bad weather on 3/3/44 killing the four man flight crew. The wreckage was not located until 5/6/44 N.E. of Sugarpine Mountain at 4,400' level. B-24E #42-7126 had been enroute from Blythe Army Airbase to San Bernardino Army Air Facility when it crashed. #42-7126 was assigned 358th Combat Crew Training School. The pilot was 2nd Lt. Allen S. Hasson, 2nd Lt. Edgar Land co-pilot, S/Sgt. Robert D. Kirk and S/Sgt. William C. De Cou. Their official mission was "ferrying the B-24E to depot"

Metal salvagers worked the crash site sometime in the early 1960's resulting in the removal of 95% of the wreckage via mule train. In 1999 a hiker found a bone at the site thought to have been human. This discovery led to a through site search by the San Bernardino County Coroner's Office and the placing of a memorial plaque honoring the crew of #42-7126.

San Bernardino County Coroners place memorial plaque.

Close-up of memorial plaque.
"In honor of those who perished in the line of duty"
"The crew of B-24E Liberator"
2nd Lt, Allen S. Hansen, 2nd Lt. Edgar Land, S/Sgt. Robert D. Kirk, S/Sgt. William C. De Cou

"They gave their full measure of devotion"           1999

Excavating the impact site.

G. Pat Macha holding housing to .50 cal. machine gun found at site.

Artifacts recovered at site.

G. Pat Macha holding assembly from cockpit of B-24E.

Pat J. Macha and Rob Hill with landing gear.