Fury 02: The 1997 B-1B Lancer Crash Near Alzada, Montana
Written By Forgotten Sacrifices Project
Abstract
On 19 September 1997, a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base crashed in southeastern Montana during a low-altitude training mission, killing all four crew members aboard. This article aims to honor the sacrifices of Colonel Anthony Beat, Major Kirk Cakerice, Major Clay Culver, and Captain Gary Everett, while documenting the incident, the Air Force’s investigation, and the human and institutional impact of the loss, consistent with the mission and standards of the Forgotten Sacrifices Project (FSP).
Introduction
The Forgotten Sacrifices Project exists to preserve the memory of service members who have lost their lives in the line of duty outside named combat operations. The crash of a B-1B bomber on 19 September 1997 represents one of the most significant peacetime losses for the 28th Bomb Wing during the 1990s. While the event drew national media coverage at the time (e.g., Spokesman-Review, 1997; Washington Post, 1997; Los Angeles Times, 1997), the human stories of the airmen aboard remain less widely known to the public. This article seeks to preserve the memory of Col. Anthony Beat, Maj. Kirk Cakerice, Maj. Clay Culver, and Capt. Gary Everett and document the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Background and Mission Context
The B-1B Lancer, a supersonic long-range heavy bomber, was a central component of the Air Force’s strategic fleet during the late Cold War and post-Cold War years. Training missions frequently required low-altitude defensive maneuver profiles, which demanded precision and carried inherent risk. On the afternoon of 19 September 1997, the four-person crew departed Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, on such a training mission within the Powder River airspace complex in southeastern Montana (Washington Post, 1997a).
Sequence of Events
At approximately 2:25 p.m., the B-1B crashed near Alzada, Montana, close to the Wyoming border (Los Angeles Times, 1997). Witnesses described the bomber flying unusually low and slow shortly before impact (Washington Post, 1997b). The resulting crash left a debris field between one-quarter and one-half mile in length (Spokesman-Review, 1997). Little remained of the aircraft, and first responders faced immediate confirmation that all four crew members had been killed instantly.
The aircraft involved was tail number 85-0078 (Aviation Safety Network, 2024).
Aircrew Lost
The loss of the four crew members deeply affected the 28th Bomb Wing and the broader Ellsworth AFB community.
· Col. Anthony Beat, Vice Commander of the 28th Bomb Wing, served onboard as a pilot (Spokesman-Review, 1997).
· Maj. Kirk Cakerice, an instructor pilot, was recognized for his professionalism and mentorship within the unit (Ellsworth AFB, 2007).
· Maj. Clay Culver, a weapons systems officer, was remembered as an officer who built strong bonds with both aircrew and maintenance personnel (Ellsworth AFB, 2007).
· Capt. Gary Everett, also a weapons systems officer, was widely respected among squadron members (Washington Post, 1997c).
In later remembrance ceremonies, fellow airmen described the loss as “a shock that reverberated throughout the base for years” (Ellsworth AFB, 2007). A permanent memorial, known as the Fury II Memorial, was established at the crash site.
Findings of the Accident Investigation
The Air Force investigation concluded that the cause of the accident was pilot error during a defensive maneuver conducted at low altitude. The aircraft entered a steep right bank with its power at idle and speed brakes extended, leading to an unrecoverable sink rate (Washington Post, 1997c). Investigators were unable to determine which pilot was at the controls at the exact moment of impact.
Aviation Safety Network (2024) corroborates that flight-control computer limitations during the attempted recovery prevented the crew from rolling the aircraft out of the maneuver due to aerodynamic safety constraints.
National and Institutional Response
The crash occurred during a spike in U.S. military aviation incidents, becoming the sixth such mishap in one week. As a result, the Department of Defense issued a temporary stand-down for safety reviews (Spokesman-Review, 1997; Washington Post, 1997a).
At Ellsworth AFB, memorials and unit gatherings helped support the families and crew members affected. The accident also informed subsequent safety and training adjustments within the B-1 community, which, according to later reporting, contributed to preventing similar mishaps in comparable mission profiles.
Legacy and Significance to the FSP Archive
The 19 September 1997 crash is emblematic of the Forgotten Sacrifices Project’s mission. Although the crew was not engaged in combat, they were conducting demanding training essential to national defense. Their loss reflects both the perpetual risks of military aviation and the profound dedication of those who serve.
Documenting this event ensures that future generations recognize the sacrifice of these four airmen and understand the importance of rigorous military training and its human cost.
References
Aviation Safety Network. (2024). ASN accident report: Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0078. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/48344
Ellsworth Air Force Base. (2007). Ellsworth remembers lost airmen on 10-year anniversary. https://www.ellsworth.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/216935/ellsworth-remembers-lost-airmen-on-10-year-anniversary/
Los Angeles Times. (1997, September 20). B-1 bomber crashes in Montana, killing 4. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-20-mn-34206-story.html
Spokesman-Review. (1997, September 20). B-1 bomber crashes in Montana, killing 4. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/sep/20/b-1-bomber-crashes-in-montana-killing-4-sixth/
Washington Post. (1997a, September 20). B-1 bomber crashes in Montana, killing crew of four. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1997/09/20/b-1-bomber-crashes-in-montana-killing-crew-of-four/866f09dc-27d7-423a-aa15-0174aef43caf/
Washington Post. (1997b, September 21). Bomber flying ‘real low,’ rancher says. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/national/1997/09/21/bomber-flying-real-low-rancher-says/d87b1d2a-d361-4b71-bceb-41bd2acccbde/
Washington Post. (1997c, December 10). Pilot error blamed in crash of B-1 bomber on training flight. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1997/12/10/pilot-error-blamed-in-crash-of-b-1-bomber-on-training-flight/110820de-707a-4f96-be65-86c180cab6f0/