When the B-1 bomber program was re-instituted in 1981, the plan called for the use of the original four B-1A prototypes as test-beds for systems for the B-1B.   B-1A number 2 (74-0159) was modified by having B-1B flight control system features installed and was intended for air load testing and engine/inlet development. It began flying on March 23, 1983. Unfortunately, it crashed on August 29, 1984 when the aircraft lost control when the center of gravity became unbalanced during fuel transfer management. The escape capsule deployed successfully, but the parachute risers did not deploy properly. The capsule hit the ground at a steep angle, so steep that the inflatable cushions could not shield the impact. Chief test pilot Douglas Benefield was killed, and two other crew members were seriously injured.

We are currently searching for photos of the crash site taken during the investigation. If you have any - please contact us.

The B-1A, 74-0159, in flight during early  testing.

Rockwell's chief test pilot Doug Benefield was killed in the crash.

The Crash Site Today
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From the air, it just looks like a clear spot in the desert. However, it doesn't take much imagination to see the resemblance of the spot to the shape of the B-1A.

Roads to the area are the result of the heavy equipment that was brought in for the recovery efforts.

At the site looking to the east. Small desert plants are slowly to filling in the area that was bulldozed during the recovery efforts.

It is not hard to find wreckage (mostly aluminum and steel) from the B-1A. In fact, filling up a truck with wreckage would be an easy task. What is missing from the wreckage are bits of Titanium. Because of its high cost, it was only used where absolutely necessary. Only about 20-percent of the aircraft was made of Titanium and most of that was in the engines.

The site looking to the northwest