last revised: 9 March 2016
FLIGHT-RELATED DEATHS*
Edwards AFB
1935
Bauer, Karl W.
2ndLt
P-12C
2 Dec 35 (first military
airman to be killed on duty at Muroc)
1940
Bean, Doyle H.
Kaufman, Wayne G.
Nisbett, Charles A.
Owen, Thurmon T.
Schulz, Eugene A.
Smith, Jess A.
Pvt
Pvt
2ndLt
Sgt
Pvt
2ndLt
B-18A
B-18A
B-18A
B-18A
B-18A
B-18A
27 May 40
27 May 40
27 May 40
27 May 40
27 May 40
27 May 40
1941
Kennedy, Thomas J.
Legenhausen, Alfred G.
Lucian, Gerald J.
Richards, Theodore M.
Serao, Frank
Work, John H.
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
1stLt
Pvt
1stLt
B-26
B-26
B-26
B-26
B-26
B-26
18 Dec 41
18 Dec 41
18 Dec 41
18 Dec 41
18 Dec 41
18 Dec 41
Chinn, William R.
Engelbrecht, Vernon H.
Enyeart, Robert N.
Jensen, Waldo C.
Kobal, Frank A.
Maloney, Joseph B.
May, George C.
Organ, Roger F.
Shirley, Jack C.
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
TSgt
2ndLt
2ndLt
Pvt
Sgt
Pvt
B-26
B-26
B-26
B-26
B-26
B-26
B-26
B-26
B-26
30 Dec 41
30 Dec 41
30 Dec 41
30 Dec 41
30 Dec 41
30 Dec 41
30 Dec 41
30 Dec 41
30 Dec 41
P-38E
6 May 42
1942
Dear, Rudolph C.
SSgt
1
Hamlin, Robert W.
2ndLt
P-39D
27 Jul 42
Halprin, Robert L.
2ndLt
P-39
3 Aug 42
Vogle, Thomas H.
2ndLt
P-39D
13 Aug 42
Minnich, Alonzo
2ndLt
P-39D
28 Aug 42
Bibb, Troy M.
2ndLt
P-38
2 Nov 42
Hildreth, Wayne
2ndLt
P-38F
6 Nov 42
Lamb, Clayton S.
2ndLt
P-38E
16 Nov 42
Garcia, John E.
2ndLt
P-38E
6 Dec 42
Cash, Layman L.
Casini, Rento
Johnson, Robert E.
Vaughn, Sidney R.
Sgt
2ndLt
1stLt
Cpl
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
29 Dec 42
29 Dec 42
29 Dec 42
29 Dec 42
Williams, Lewis M.
2ndLt
A-20A
31 Dec 42
1943
Drake, Carl H.
2ndLt
P-38
21 Jan 43
McKean, Bruce A.
2ndLt
RP-38E
13 Feb 43
Van Arsdell, Marion C.
2ndLt
P-38F
23 Feb 43
Karch, Robert E.
2ndLt
RP-38E
9 Mar 43
Miller, Alva J.
2ndLt
RP-38E
9 Mar 43
Sara, Joseph
2ndLt
P-38F
13 Apr 43
Tilzey, Donald T.
2ndLt
P-38G
26 Apr 43
Hanson, Raymond H.
2ndLt
RP-38E
3 May 43
MacKenzie, Everett W.
2ndLt
RP-38E
5 May 43
2
Constant, Max
Civ
N-9M
19 May 43
Grigg, Augustus M.
2ndLt
P-38F
14 Aug 43
Kruck, Harry L, Jr.
2ndLt
RP-38E
3 Sep 43
Carter, Kenneth B.
2ndLt
P-38G
7 Sep 43
Litten, Earl E.
2ndLt
P-38H
18 Sep 43
1944
Ahlert, Joseph F.
Borelli, R.
Boteltho, A.
Brauscher, Frederick W.
Carver, Jesse H.
Haupenthal, Allen J.
Hughes, Trevor
Logan, Daniel S.
Moseley, Burton
Snell, Alton L.
Sgt
Sgt
Sgt
2ndLt
Sgt
2ndLt
Sgt
2ndLt
Sgt
2ndLt
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
3 Jan 44
3 Jan 44
3 Jan 44
3 Jan 44
3 Jan 44
3 Jan 44
3 Jan 44
3 Jan 44
3 Jan 44
3 Jan 44
Barkalow, Richard C.
Breckenridge, John W.
Eckels, Wayne O.
Fleming, Bernard F.
Gray, William W.
Livziey, James W.
Srna, William J.
2ndLt
2ndLt
2ndLt
Sgt
Sgt
Sgt
2ndLt
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
22 Jan 44
22 Jan 44
22 Jan 44
22 Jan 44
22 Jan 44
22 Jan 44
22 Jan 44
Hintz, Harry J.
2ndLt
B-24D
14 Feb 44
Dethloff, Leon P.
Ellis, Hugh B.
Kane, Donald P.
Livingston, Thomas F.
Worthey, George C.
Sgt
Sgt
2ndLt
Sgt
2ndLt
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
17 Feb 44
17 Feb 44
17 Feb 44
17 Feb 44
17 Feb 44
Smith, Russell B.
2ndLt
B-24D
17 Apr 44
3
Allman, Billy L.
2ndLt
RP-38E
4 May 44
Jones, James M.
Morley, Bernard D.
SSgt
Lt Col
RA-24B
RA-24B
21 May 44
21 May 44
Hammond, Wesley J.
Harper, John R.
Marsh, Melvin L.
Sengon, Thomas J.
Civ
Civ
Civ
1stLt
B-24E
B-24E
B-24E
B-24E
1 Jul 44
1 Jul 44
1 Jul 44
1 Jul 44
Ahlmann, Richard A.
Beaty, Ernest B.
Bishop, Robert P.
Bogumirski, Mitchell R.
Geswein, Alvin J.
Hensel, Elton F.
Klotz, George
Nester, Ralph A.
Pfeifer, Raymond C.
Cpl
Cpl
2ndLt
2ndLt
Cpl
Cpl
2ndLt
Cpl
2ndLt
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
2 Jul 44
2 Jul 44
2 Jul 44
2 Jul 44
2 Jul 44
2 Jul 44
2 Jul 44
2 Jul 44
2 Jul 44
Swiridowski, Thomas P.
Sgt
B-24H
4 Jul 44
Parslow, George T.
1stLt
P-63A
14 Jul 44
Ball, Carroll B.
Crowley, Ellis B.
Hickok, Donald F.
Johnson, Samuel B.
Peloquin, Edgar A.
Phillips, Rex R.
Thomas, Robert T.
Towns, Kenneth D.
Cpl
PFC
PFC
2ndLt
Cpl
2ndLt
PFC
Cpl
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
1 Aug 44
1 Aug 44
1 Aug 44
1 Aug 44
1 Aug 44
1 Aug 44
1 Aug 44
1 Aug 44
Bartlett, Louis C.
Becker, Donald C.
Chapman, Ernest J.
Hechtman, Eugene E.
Johansen, William F.
Leininger, Arlington S.
Lira, Richard A.
Srygley, Theodore W.
Tilson, John H.
Cpl
PFC
2ndLt
F/O
2ndLt
Cpl
Cpl
PFC
F/O
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
1 Aug 44
1 Aug 44
1 Aug 44
1 Aug 44
1 Aug 44
1 Aug 44
1 Aug 44
1 Aug 44
1 Aug 44
4
Flitcroft, James W.
Fogel, Bernard D.
Graves, John L.
Nieman, Robert F.
Watts, Clifton C.
Cpl
Cpl
2ndLt
Cpl
F/O
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
B-24D
23 Aug 44
23 Aug 44
23 Aug 44
23 Aug 44
23 Aug 44
Phillips, James W.
PFC
B-24J
23 Aug 44
Beck, Howard
Breedlove, Robert W.
Brown, Wayne E.
Davis, James T.
Jones, Boyd H.
Krstich, John E.
Lampton, Lawrence D.
Metcalf, Robert L.
O’Brien, William L.
Wray, William F.
F/O
Pvt
Cpl
Cpl
Cpl
Pvt
2ndLt
Cpl
F/O
F/O
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
1 Sep 44
1 Sep 44
1 Sep 44
1 Sep 44
1 Sep 44
1 Sep 44
1 Sep 44
1 Sep 44
1 Sep 44
1 Sep 44
Sparks, Kenneth C.
Capt
P-38J
5 Sep 44
Story, Sidney A.
1stLt
P-38F
5 Sep 44
Kob, Robert E.
1stLt
P-63A
5 Oct 44
Dunlop, Robert C.
Cpl
B-24J
20 Oct 44
Fountain, Zed D.
Capt
P-47D
2 Dec 44
Claypool, Perry E., Jr.
Civ
YP-80A
6 Dec 44
Eckert, William P.
Eickstaedt, Robert C.
Phillips, Henry L.
Van Doren, Benjamin, Jr.
TSgt
Civ
1stLt
Capt
B-25J
B-25J
B-25J
B-25J
6 Dec 44
6 Dec 44
6 Dec 44
6 Dec 44
Burdett, Billie
Cpl
B-24J
11 Dec 44
Asplund, Robert H.
Bobovich, Peter P.
Corneille, Barrett D.
Dondero, Alan F.
2ndLt
Cpl
2ndLt
F/O
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
22 Dec 44
22 Dec 44
22 Dec 44
22 Dec 44
5
Ferrin, Eugene I.
French, Elliot R.
Jacoby, Robert R.
Pipkin, Donald M.
Stillinger, Jerry K.
Welk, Reuben F.
Cpl
Cpl
Cpl
F/O
Cpl
Cpl
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
22 Dec 44
22 Dec 44
22 Dec 44
22 Dec 44
22 Dec 44
22 Dec 44
1945
Hardy, John J.
Livermore, William R.
Newcomb, Jack C.
Raber, Leslie J.
Seymour, Jack T.
Syper, Joseph C.
Vanderdecker, Joseph C.
Vera, John J.
Vieson, Frederick J.
Well, George B.
Sgt
2 Lt
PFC
Cpl
Cpl
2ndLt
2ndLt
Cpl
2ndLt
PFC
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
B-24J
20 Jan 45
20 Jan 45
20 Jan 45
20 Jan 45
20 Jan 45
20 Jan 45
30 Jan 45
20 Jan 45
20 Jan 45
20 Jan 45
Crosby, Harry H.
Civ
XP-79B
12 Sep 45
Dirrim, Walter W.
1stLt
AT-6D
21 Sep 45
PT-17
PT-17
24 Apr 46
24 Apr 46
23 Mar 47
1946
Rittman, George
Strickland, Jack
Civ
Civ
1947
Little, James M.
Capt
P-80A
Baker, Robert L.
Brackett, Lawrence B. Lt
Castro, Louis
Whitney, Neil E.
Willet, William D.
Lt
C-45
Lt
PFC
Lt
C-45
C-45
C-45
Quinn, Paul J.
2ndLt
P-80B
C-45
1948
6
19 Apr 47
19 Apr 47
19 Apr 47
19 Apr 47
19 Apr 47
26 Aug 47
Lilly, Howard C.
Civ
D-558-1
3 May 48
Edwards, Glen W.
Forbes, Daniel M., Jr.
LaFountain, Charles H.
Lesser, Clare C.
Swindell, Edward L.
Capt
Maj
Civ
Civ
1stLt
YB-49
YB-49
YB-49
YB-49
YB-49
5 Jun 48
5 Jun 48
5 Jun 48
5 Jun 48
5 Jun 48
Fitzgerald, James T.
Capt
TF-80C
20 Sep 48
Krebs, George
Picard, Nicholas G.
Civ
Civ
B-45
B-45
20 Sep 48
20 Sep 48
Calaway, William C.
Coyle, Robert J.
Francis, Magnus W.
Lawski, Alexander J.
Lt Col
1stLt
Capt
SSgt
C-47D
C-47D
C-47D
C-47D
3 Dec 48
3 Dec 48
3 Dec 48
3 Dec 48
XA-2D
19 Dec 50
1950
Wood, Hugh, Jr.
Lt Cdr
1951
Bailey, William A.
Cate, Lilburn N.
Christian, Wallace J.
Mathusa, Robert E.
Milhoan, Carl A.
Payne, Gordon L., Jr.
White, Charles A
Willingham, James H.
Capt
MSgt
Civ
MSgt
TSgt
Maj
Civ
TSgt
B-50D
B-50D
B-50D
B-50D
B-50D
B-50D
B-50D
B-50D
10 Jan 51
10 Jan 51
10 Jan 51
10 Jan 51
10 Jan 51
10 Jan 51
10 Jan 51
10 Jan 51
Seller, Wilbur W.
Maj
F-94B
23 Aug 51
Palmer, John F.
Westervelt, Ralph L.
Maj
MSgt
B-26B
B-26B
3 Oct 51
3 Oct 51
Mortland, Robert A.
Spiro, Christy N.
Wolfe, Joseph E.
Maj
MSgt
Capt
B-47B
B-47B
B-47B
19 Nov 51
19 Nov 51
19 Nov 51
7
1952
Lathrop, Neil H.
Maj
XB-51
9 May 52
1953
Gregorious, John H.
Capt
F-84
14 Jul 53
Popson, Raymond A.
Maj
X-5
13 Oct 53
Collingsworth, Jack M.
Jones, Walter P.
Civ
Civ
YF-89D
YF-89D
20 Oct 53
20 Oct 53
1954
Lynch, Joseph A.
Civ
TF-86
17 Mar 54
Farrell, Leonard P.
Capt
F-84
25 Jul 54
McConnell, Joseph R., Jr.
Capt
F-86H
25 Aug 54
Welch, George S.
Civ
F-100A
12 Oct 54
1955
Verdin, James B.
Civ
A-4D
14 Jan 55
Honts, Anderson B., Jr.
Sunada, Nobuo R.
Capt
Civ
B-57B
B-57B
8 Feb 55
8 Feb 55
Bryce, Paul W., Jr.
Capt
F-89D
5 Mar 55
Amick, Willard J.
Davis, William H.
Civ
Civ
A-3D
A-3D
27 Oct 55
27 Oct 55
Dolan, John T.
Capt
F-101A
16 Dec 55
F-100C
10 Jan 56
1956
Brooks, Barty R.
Lt
8
Savage, Wilbur R.
SSgt
XB-51
25 Mar 56
Rudolph, James O.
Maj
XB-51
16 Apr 56
Drake, William M.
Civ
F11F
26 Aug 56
Apt, Milburn G.
Capt
X-2
27 Sep 56
Brown, Harry A.
Capt
YF-104
3 Nov 56
1957
Eggert, Wayne W.
Lynch, Newell H.
Scott, Charles M.
Capt
Capt
A3C
H-19
H-19
H-19
3 Jan 57
3 Jan 57
3 Jan 57
Hewitt, Alvin E
Conroy, Addison B.
Civ
Civ
Bonanza
Bonanza
30 May 57
30 May 57
Anderson, William M.
Owens, James W.
A2C
Civ
Aeronca
Aeronca
28 Jun 57
28 Jun 57
Veronica, Daniel J.
Civ
T-33A
11 Dec 57
1958
Benethum, Dale A.
Kilgariff, Thomas G.
Civ
Civ
A-3D
A-3D
28 Jan 58
28 Jan 58
Montgomery, Emery H.
Col
TF-80C
12 Feb 58
Littell, Robert O.
Post, Leo F., Jr.
Capt
Capt
T-33A
T-33A
24 Feb 58
24 Feb 58
Gahl, Edward C.
Grubaugh, Boyd L.
Capt
Lt Col
B-57E
B-57E
16 Jun 58
16 Jun 58
Kincheloe, Iven C.
Capt
F-104A
26 Jul 58
9
Hunerwadel, Hugh P.
Capt
U-2A
11 Sep 58
Williams, Robert E.
Capt
B-57B
24 Dec 58
1959
Scherer, Ralph
MSgt
Taylorcraft
16 Feb 59
Ekeren, Halvor M.
Capt
F-106A
8 Apr 59
Lake, William R.
Capt
YH-1D
16 May 59
Van Salter, Marvin M.
Civ
F-104A
23 Jun 59
Huelsbeck, Gerald
Civ
YF4H-1
21 Oct 59
T-34
23 Nov 60
F-101
19 Apr 61
1960
Thoreson, Robert J.
Civ
1961
Heinle, Donovan R.
Civ
1962
Campbell, John A.
Capt
U-2
1 Mar 62
Deegan, Thomas J.
Rowland, Bobbie L.
Maj
A1C
B-57
B-57
9 Sep 62
9 Sep 62
OH-5
26 May 64
T-34
T-34
31 Dec 64
31 Dec 64
U-2
26 Apr 65
1964
Turk, Robert N.
Civ
Henderson, Gerald A.
Jaeger, Allen L.
MSgt
A2C
L
1965
Edens, D.E.
Civ
10
Everett, Willis L.
Civ
XV-5A
27 Apr 65
Lumadue, Donald L.
Capt
A1E
24 Jun 65
Currie, Jay E.
Darby, Donald B.
Maj
1stLt
T-33
T-33
27 Jun 65
27 Jun 65
Beezley, Jacques G.
Lt Col
T-38
8 Jul 65
Johnson, Richard D.
Veach, Austin K, Jr..
Capt
Maj
U-8D
U-8D
11 Aug 65
11 Aug 65
Neale, Philip E., Jr.
Maj
Balzac
8 Sep 65
1966
Branch, Irving L.
Maj Gen
T-38
3 Jan 66
Zwayer, James T.
Civ
SR-71
25 Jan 66
Cross, Carl S.
Walker, Joseph A.
Maj
Civ
XB-70
F-104N
8 Jun 66
8 Jun 66
Tittle, David H.
Maj
XV-5A
5 Oct 66
1967
Ray, Walter L.
Maj
SR-71
5 Jan 67
Brightwell, Herbert L.
Maj
F-111A
21 Jan 67
Curtis, Lawrence C., Jr.
Capt
OV-10A
1 Feb 67
Adams, Michael J.
Maj
X-15
15 Nov 67
Lawrence, Robert H.
Maj
F-104D
8 Dec 67
F-104C
22 Nov 68
1968
Haderlie, Kermit L.
Maj
1969
11
Rosburg, Charles R.
Maj
Harrier
27 Jan 69
1970
Hansen, Harrold O.
Hodges, Travis B.
Shepard, Van H.
Walker, Warren
Civ
Civ
Civ
Civ
C-101
C-101
C-101
C-101
12 May 70
12 May 70
12 May 70
12 May 70
Dubucq, Pierre
Taylor, James M.
Capt
Lt Col
T-38
T-38
4 Sep 70
4 Sep 70
1971
Furman, Robert J.
Hurt, James W.
Maj
Maj
F-111E
F-111E
23 Apr 71
23 Apr 71
Diefenbach, David E.
Thurman, Donald L.
Capt
Maj
B-57
B-57
23 Jun 71
24 Jun 71
F-4D
F-4D
16 Oct 72
16 Oct 72
RF-4C
29 Nov 73
OV-1D
OV-1D
22 Feb 74
22 Feb 74
1972
Evans, John D.
Waters, Joseph P.
Capt
Lt Col
1973
Matulis, Raymond G. II
Capt
1974
Daniloff, Frederick D.
Schranz, Kenneth F., Jr.
Maj
Capt
1976
Love, Michael V.
Lt Col
RF-4C
1 Mar 76
Hill, Gary E.
Capt
Bell 214
27 Mar 76
12
Laing, Emmett J.
Civ
Bell 214
27 Mar 76
Hawley, Michael A.
Horton, William R.
Schardijn, Alan
Capt
Lt Col
PFC
T-42
T-42
T-42
26 May 76
26 May 76
26 May 76
1981
Halliday, Douglas J.
Lucci, Carmen A.
fatality)
Monagan, Stephen J.
Capt
Capt
B-26
B-26
3 Mar 81
3 Mar 81 (only female
Civ
B-26
3 Mar 81
Swann, Michael W.
Civ
glider
28 Jul 81
1982
Snyder, Cecil D., III
Maj
T-38A
31 Aug 82
Gray, Richard E.
Civ
T-37
8 Nov 82
Lammons, Hugh A.
Ottomeyer, John D.
CW3
Civ
OV-1D
OV-1D
15 Nov 82
15 Nov 82
1984
Chrisney, Jeffery H.
Civ
Taylorcraft
15 Mar 84
Lombardi, Alan
Wenning, Robert L.
Capt
Maj
TG-7A 11
TG-7A 11
Apr 84
Apr 84
Benefield, Tommie D .
Civ
B-1A
29 Aug 84
1986
Faris, Ronald J.
Maj
F-4C
11 Feb 86
Petersen, Peter G.
CWO3
glider
24 Apr 86
1987
13
suicide
Hoglan, Gregory B.
Keane, Michael J.
Capt
Maj
T-38
T-38
22 May 87
22 May 87
1991
Augustine, John
Lovell, Robert
Capt
SSgt
UH-1N
UH-1N
14 Jan 91
14 Jan 91
Anderson, John R.
Burdett, Jay D.
Ellington, Kurt H.
SSgt
Capt
SSgt
UH-1N
UH-1N
UH-1N
10 Oct 91
10 Oct 91
10 Oct 91
1992
Garnett, David W.
Rodriguez, Lorenzo
Lt (Navy)
AEAN
MU-2
MU-2
18 May 92
18 May 92
Abbott, William Y.
Robbins, Robert W.
Civ
Civ
C-23A
C-23A
16 Jul 92
16 Jul 92
T-38
T-38
22 Oct 97
22 Oct 97
F-16B
F-16B
17 Jul 01
17 Jul 01
Cessna 180
16 Jan 04
1997
Fox, Leigh Alexander
Nusz, William R.
Flt Lt (RAF)
Lt Col
2001
Brohmer, Judson
George, Aaron C.
Civ (Photographer)
Maj
2004
Lazerson, David
Civ (TPS inst)
2009
Cooley, David P.
Civ (USAF, ret)
F-22A
Lockheed Martin test pilot
25 Mar 09
Graziano, Mark P.
Capt (TPS Student)
21 May 09
14
T-38A
Total:
Test pilots lost during flight test sorties: 36 (as of 22 May 09: not sure where David Cooley fits
yet)
Total lives lost in aviation-related accidents: 321 men; 1 woman
Sources:
Crash Data - Witherspoon
Death Certificates
Accident Reports, AFHRC Maxwell AFB
Local Newspaper Reports
Accident Folders
Master Chronology
*
aircrew members
military and civilian; officer and enlisted
all services; Air Force ranks identical to Army
units assigned to Edwards (permanent and temporary)
aircrew assigned elsewhere who died on (or near) Edwards property
date of death, not date of accident
15