McChord AFB

While flying in a thunderstorm, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a hilly terrain. All five crew members were killed. It appears there were severe turbulence in the area at the time of the accident.

While flying in a thunderstorm, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a hilly terrain. All five crew members were killed. It appears there were severe turbulence in the area at the time of the accident.

When the crew started the approach to McChord AFB, he was informed that a landing was not possible due to poor weather conditions. The captain decided to return to Fresno but while flying east of Coos Bay, the crew decided to bail out and abandoned the aircraft that crashed in a wooded area located 42 miles east of Coos Bay. Rescuers arrived on site two days later and nine occupants were evacuated. For unknown reason, two people were still in the aircraft and were killed while a third one was never found. The exact cause and circumstances of the accident remains unknown.

The airplane went down at Loon Lake (elevation 5,280 feet) with eight men aboard. The plane was returning to McChord AFB, Washington from a training mission in Nevada when it flew into a heavy snow storm near Pendleton, Oregon. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot, Robert R. Orr, decided to attempt a landing in Boise. The approach was hampered by heavy icing and a failed radio. An order to prepare to parachute was given at 13,000 feet. Just then a hole developed in the cloud cover. A frozen lake was spotted and a landing was attempted. Frozen flaps caused the first approach to be abandoned. In a successful second approach, the plane touched down on the frozen lake, sliding across the ice and through the trees. With both wings sheared off, the plane came to rest 150 feet from the shore of Loon Lake in the timber. All eight men survived. A broken kneecap was the only injury. After waiting five days for rescue, the crew selected three men to go for help. On February 3rd, the three left Loon Lake with a shotgun and chocolate rations. They followed the Secesh River downstream. Then, hiking over Lick Creek Summit, elevation 6,700 feet, they reached the Lake Fork Guard Station. Once inside, an exhausted crew member picked up the telephone and spoke to the operator in McCall. The three men had hiked for 14 days and approximately 42 miles through waist deep snow. On February 18th, the wreckage was spotted by bush pilot, Penn Stohr, of Cascade, Idaho. He returned and notified authorities. Stohr made two more flights, landing on the frozen lake to fly the crew out. After some 21 days in the harsh winter climate of Idaho’s primitive area, all eight men were rescued.
Source: https://www.secesh.net/B23.htm

Crashed in unknown circumstances at McChord AFB, killing the entire crew.
Crew:
1st Lt Charles Edward Daily,
Cpl Guinn Nelson Murdock,
Lt Col Eugene Nall,
Pfc Walter F. Rudesill,
M/Sgt Delana A. Shephard.

The twin engine airplane crashed for unknown reasons while taking off from McChord AFB. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt William Edward Comber,
Sgt Randolph T. Correll,
Cpl Frank William Erwin,
2nd Lt Adolph T. Frerichs.

The airplane was supposed to be delivered to the Royal Air Force in Canada with registration BW579. Shortly after takeoff from McChord AFB, it crashed for unknown reasons. Two crew members were killed and a third was injured.
Crew:
2nd Lt Charles R. Solberg, pilot,
Cpl Forest W. Barlow, †
Sgt Kenneth W. Holmstrom. †

The airplane suffered an engine failure at takeoff and crashed. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt Jesse Peter Ottosen, pilot,
2nd Lt Conner G. Hopkins,
Sgt Lee C. Osborn.

The twin engine airplane was on its way from McChord AFB, Washington, to Edwards AFB, California, to take part to a training exercise at the Muroc Dry Lake. While cruising some 30 miles south of his departure point, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low visibility due to clouds. Too low, the aircraft impacted the slope of Mt Deschutes (4,322 feet high) located in the Snoqualmie National Forrest. The wreckage was found by two woodsmen on February 3, less than 30 feet below the summit. All seven occupants were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt Robert M. Krummes, pilot,
2nd Lt Charles Thomas Nielsen, copilot,
T/S Hearn A. Davis, flight engineer,
2nd Lt John F. Geis, navigator,
Sgt Paul L. Maas, bombardier,
Sgt Leo H. Nietling, radio operator.
Passenger:
1st Lt Lewis E. MacKay.
Source: http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=9923