Table 2.3 Analysis of Air Force Aircraft Accidents by Year in the Vicinity of Walker AFB 1947–1960 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Aircraft Fatalities Accident Type ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Burned? Taken to WAFB Autopsied? Hospital? 8/12/48 B-29 Yes[96] No[97] No[98] 5/16/49 C-47 Yes[99] No[100] No[101] 12/15/49 B-29 No[102] Yes[103] Yes[104] 6/1/50 KB-29 No[105] No[106] No[107] 6/16/55 T-33 Yes[108] No[109] Yes[110] 10/3/55 B-47 Yes[111] No[112] No[113] 6/26/56 KC-97 Yes[114] Yes[115] Yes[116] 2/3/60 KC-135 Yes[117] No[118] No[119] Upon detailed review of records of the 1956 accident and interviews with persons who participated in the recovery and identification of the victims, extensive similarities to the description the witness provided were apparent. Fatal KC-97 Aircraft Mishap In 1956, Walker AFB, N.M. was the home of Strategic Air Command’s 6th and 509th Bombardment Wings.[120] Additionally, Walker was home of the 509th Aerial Refueling Squadron (509th ARS) equipped with the KC-97G aircraft. [Illustration: Fig. 7. A KC-97 similar to this of the 509th Aerial Refueling Squadron crashed 8.8 miles south of Walker AFB on June 26, 1956 with the loss of 11 lives. Descriptions of the aftermath of this tragedy are believed to be the basis for some of the reports of “bodies” at the Walker AFB hospital. (_U.S. Air Force photo_)] The accident occurred on June 26, 1956, 8.8 statute miles south of Walker AFB.[121] A KC-97G aircraft with 11 crewmen on board, while on a refueling training mission, experienced a propeller failure four and one half minutes after takeoff.[122] As a result of the propeller failure, a propeller blade was believed to have punctured the deck fuel tank of the fully loaded tanker causing an intense cabin fire.[123] The aircraft was quickly engulfed in flames, spun out of control, and was completely destroyed. All 11 Air Force members were killed instantly by the fire and impact explosion.[124] Due to the isolated rural impact location on property owned by the state of New Mexico, there was minimal collateral damage and no fatalities or injuries to persons on the ground.[125] The remains of the crewmen were recovered from the crash site and transported by members of the 4036th USAF Hospital (numerical designation of the hospital at Walker AFB) to the hospital facility at Walker AFB for identification.[126]