◆ SpookStack

TSE g Subject: Final Mission Kepers ” 4 August 1947 (60) yards away. Flares were going off and he thought best to leave the scene, te heard a stream nearby end followed it until he came to a house and aroused the oceupants. Seon TAPP arrived at the same house and, being un- injured, was driven into towne Then he led an ambulance to effect transporta- tion of MATHEWS te a hospital. Meanwhile, civilians reached the scene of the crash where they found one body. At 0930 PST, a message from Sq 3 informed that top secret material was in the navigators kit and to request Commanding Offleer MCCHORD FIELD to expedite all available information to Commanding Officer HANILTON FIELD. Meanwhile, CAPT PORSSERC and four (4) enlisted men departed KELSO at 0830 PST for scene of the crash. ‘They were transported by the WASHINGTON STATE POLICE who knew the exact locetion of the plane (46°O9'" « 122043°W). ‘The ground party determined upon arrival at the soene, thet two (2) bodies were in the wreckage. Indications led to the belief thet the ce-pilot was afire when he left the plane an instant ‘ before impact. Th. pilot's remains were found in the wreckage, Pree liminary investigation by CAPT FORSBERG disclosed the planes left wing about one hundred twenty-five (125) yerds from the widely scattered port- tions of the planes The left wing was intact. and hed apparently torn off Just. outboard of the left engine before impact. the forward portion of the wing stub was melted but che rear two thirds indicated that it had ripped loose from the inboard section of the wing. the wing leading edge was wundemaged. The navigation and landing lichts were unbroken. The aileron was undamaged but the flap section was crushed, leading to the belief that the wing struck the teil sections From these indications it is believed the wing ripped from the airplane just after MATHENS abandoned the plane. The resulting spin thus prevented the remaining crew members from bailing out although the co-pilot may heve been in the hateh. A few civilians were in the area when CAPT FORSBERG arrived and he took precautions to prevent them from disturbing the wreckage. At 1157 PST CAPT LITTRELL flew CAPT RICH, NM. C., to EELSO, An ambulance digpatched from MOCHORD PIELD, met them at KELSO, and was led to the soene of the erash by the STATE POLICE. The bodies were recovered and transe- ported in the ambulance to WOCHORD PIELD. CAPT LITTRELL returned to MCCHORD PIELD where camping equipment was prepared to be dropred to the ground party. CAPT LITTRELL, made a suocessful drop at dusk by sighting om @ signal fire. the ground party set up camp at the wreckage scene to set as guard and te investigate further the following dey. They were relieved of responsibility of 211 recovered documents by a CIC agent who had arrived about 1800 PST. bs 2 Aug 47— The ground party remained at the scene of the crash pending official securing of the incident. No aerial activity. Ge S Aug 47¢ MOCHORD FIRLD Operations Officer departed at 1000 PST to investigate the accident and to relieve CAPT FORSBERG, who returned mt 1600 PSY. Incident closed.