Square Top Mountain (Utah)
| Square Top Mountain | |
|---|---|
Square Top Mountain Location in Utah | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,053.5 ft (2,149.9 m) NAVD 88[1] |
| Prominence | 1,356 ft (413 m)[1] |
| Listing |
|
| Coordinates | 37°20′35″N 113°53′07″W / 37.3429930°N 113.8852157°W[3] |
| Geography | |
| Location | Washington County, Utah, U.S. |
| Topo map | USGS Square Top Mountain |
Square Top Mountain is a mountain located in western Washington County in southwestern Utah, United States. Square Top Mountain is located northwest of the city of St. George and west of the smaller community of Gunlock. It is recognizable by its distinctive square shape and flat ridge line. Square Top Mountain is best known for being the crash site of a B-52 Stratofortress on April 11 1983.[4][5][6]
Geology
Square Top Mountain sits within the Motoqua and Gunlock quadrangles of southwestern Utah, in a region that marks the transition zone between the Basin and Range province to the west and the Colorado Plateaus province to the east. The surrounding area is characterized by rugged terrain shaped by millions of years of faulting and erosion, exposing a diverse sequence of sedimentary and volcanic rocks ranging in age from Precambrian to late Cenozoic.[7]
B-52 Crash
On April 11, 1983, Square Top Mountain was the crash site of a B-52 Stratofortress. The aircraft, callsign LURE 75, belonged to the 19th Bombardment Wing of the Strategic Air Command. LURE 75 was scheduled to fly from Robbins Air Force Base, Georgia, to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. [4]
During the flight, it was reported by the crew of LURE 75 that the aircraft was experiencing issues with its ground avoidance radar.[5] At approximately 7:15 PM MST, the flight had dropped to an altitude of 3,100 feet while flying in the area of Square Top Mountain. Within a few minutes of descending to this altitude, LURE 75 then attempted to climb, reaching a reported altitude of 6,300 feet. The aircraft then crashed into the south face of Square Top mountain. It is estimated that at the time of impact, LURE 75 was traveling at nearly 370 mph. All 7 crew members were killed on impact.[8]
Near the site of the crash, there is a small marker monument in honor of the crew members of LURE 75. Weighing about 300 pounds, the monument was airlifted into place by a Huey helicopter flown by Detachment 18 of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron.[5]
References
Bibliography
- Parry, William T. (2016). Geology of Utah's Mountains, Peaks, and Plateaus: Including Descriptions of Cliffs, Valleys, and Climate History. FrisenPress. ISBN 9781460284124.
- Alder, Douglas D. (2007). A History of Washington County: From Isolation to Destination. Springdale, Utah: Zion Natural History Association. ISBN 9780915630455.
- Knack, Martha C. (2001). Boundaries Between: The Southern Paiutes, 1775 - 1995. Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 9780803227507.
- Van Cott, John W. (1990). Utah Place Names: A Comprehensive Guide to the Origins of Geographic Names: A Compilation. Salt Lake City, Utah: University of Utah Press. ISBN 9780874803457.
- Stokes, William Lee (1985). Geology of Utah. Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah Museum of Natural History. ISBN 9780940378056.
Citations
- ^ a b "Square Top Mountain, Utah". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
- ^ "Utah Peaks with 1000 feet of Prominence". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
- ^ "Square Top Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ a b "April 11, 1983, USAF Boeing B-52G (58-0161) Square Top Mountain, UT". lostflights.com. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
- ^ a b c Loren Webb (April 11, 2025). "42 years ago, a B-52 bomber crashed into Square Top Mountain, killing 7 crew". St. George News. St. George News. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
- ^ "Aviation Accidents in Washington County". Washington County Historical Society. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
- ^ Hintze, Lehi F.; Anderson, R. Ernest; Embree, Glenn F. Geologic Map of the Motoqua and Gunlock Quadrangles, Washington County, Utah (Map). U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series. U.S. Geological Survey. Map I-2427.
{{cite map}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ David Louis (June 27, 2021). "'We will never know:' 1983 crash of B-52 plane in Southern Utah still leaves behind debris and questions". St. George News. St. George News. Retrieved February 22, 2026.