North of Muroc AFB: YB-49 Flying Wing Crash
On June 5, 1948, a Northrop YB-49 jet bomber crashed north of Muroc AFB, California, during tests, killing all five crew members including Maj. Daniel Forbes and Capt. Glen Edwards. Structural failure caused the outer wings to detach.
Background
Incident
On June 5, 1948, a serious accident involving the second Northrop YB-49, an experimental jet-powered flying wing bomber (serial number 42-102368), occurred north of Muroc Air Force Base (today Edwards AFB) in California. The aircraft was on a test flight with an extremely forward centre of gravity when it suffered catastrophic structural failure. Both outer wings separated from the centre section, causing the crash.
Crew and Casualties
All five crew members were killed: pilot Maj. Daniel Forbes (after whom Forbes AFB is named), co-pilot Capt. Glen Edwards (after whom Edwards AFB is named), flight engineer 1st Lt. Edward L. Swindell, and observers Clare E. Lesser and Charles H. LaFountain. The crash site lies about 12 miles northwest of the base in the Mojave Desert.
Cause and Context
The aircraft was testing stall recovery manoeuvres from 40,000 feet. The precise cause remained unclear; it may have exceeded structural limits through a spin or control problems. The YB-49 was a conversion of the propeller-driven YB-35. The accident contributed to the end of the programme; the remaining example was later destroyed.
Significance
Wreckage is still present, and a memorial flag marks the site. The case illustrates the risks of experimental designs and led to the renaming of the base.