In  a 2014 interview with the Shoreview Press (see google search): Charles likely died in an explosion that killed 6 of the crew (3 were POW): According to Rand: A few minutes into the bomb run, Rand heard a loud bang. Checking the instruments, he found the oxygen was on zero, both left wing engines were stopped, and the wings could not be lifted or lowered. Looking to his left, Rand saw big holes in the left wing and a roaring fire extending from the main gas tank. He keyed the mic to tell the crew, “Bail out!” but found he was talking to himself — the intercom was dead. After maneuvering the aircraft down as best he could, and with his parachute on, Rand released his safety belt with no idea what would happen next. He heard another loud boom, and the top of the plane opened “like an eggshell and gently tossed me out,” he said. “I pulled the ripcord and said a quick, ‘Thank you, God.’ ... Looking around there were only two other chutes going down with me and I was crushed — I’d expected at least five.” This was the 23rd mission of the crew