USAF crash report (copy)

probability area with negative results.
3 Due to the extremely bad weather existing between Trenton and Kinross on the evening of 23 Nov 53, the SAR
Dakota from 102 C&R Unit carrying the searchmaster, assistant searchmaster and para rescue team was unable to take
off until the following morning. The same weather situation affected the departure time of the additional search aircraft
from Stn Centralia.
ORGANIZATION
4 Search headquarters was set up at Kinross USAF Base at 1215 EST 24 Nov 53 with F/L F. Campbell, 102 C&R
Flight Trenton as Searchmaster
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and F/O B.R. Ketcheson, RCC TCHQ as assistant. Co-ordination of the search, prior to the arrival of the NCAF
Searchmaster was provided by Captain Meyer of Selfridge Air Rescue Base, USAF. This officer remained at Kinross
as liaison officer until 26 Nov when he was replaced by Capt Davenport from Selfridge, who remained at Kinross until
completion of the search.
SEARCH PLAN
5 Prior to the arrival of the RCAF Searchmaster and search aircraft, the United States Coast Guard provided one SA16
and one surface vessel. The 49th Air Rescue Squadron provided two SA16's. These aircraft and the surface vessel
carried out an expanding square search in the area of 4800N 8649W during the night of 23 Nov and the following day.
Additional aircraft were not dispatched by the Searchmaster on 24 Nov because of poor weather and the unknown
position of the SA16 executing a square search in the probability area.
6 The initial search blocks were laid out to cover 60 miles west of the last reported position the Datum Line along 090
Deg true and the remaining squares covering the area to the east. It was the opinion of the other jet crews from Kinross
who were interviewed that normally the missing pilot's first move at any sign of trouble would have been to turn on his
homing of 150 Deg. With this probability in mind, further search blocks were out to the east, south and south-east.
7 Except for the initial night search, no additional night search was carried out because of bad weather and the lack of
emergency equipment carried by the crew of the missing Scorpion.
8 The areas covered were searched from 1000' using 2 miles visibility. Coastline searches were carried out at 500' and
1/2 mile visibility along the east and north shore of the Lake from Sault Ste Marie to Simpson Island (4850N 8743W)
and return to Marquette (4633N 8723W) and return.
WEATHER
9 Generally, the weather conditions throughout the search period were poor. Crews were constantly hampered with low
ceilings and reduced visibility. On the afternoon of 25 Nov and the morning 26 Nov 53 operations were seriously
delayed by the search aircraft being laden with ice on the ground.
COMMUNICATIONS
10 W/T and R/T contact wee maintained by the majority of aircraft with the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests'
ground stations. All other aircraft maintained contact, when possible, with radio stations at Houghton, Grand Marie,
and Sault Ste Marie.
11 Aircraft were provided by the 49th Search and Rescue Squadron in the form of two SA16s, four C45s and a B25;
Kinross provided 1 C47 and one helicopter. US Coast Guard at Traverse city provided 1 SA16, the Civilian Air Patrol
provided 1 Cessna 140, the RCAF provided 3 C47s from Centralia and 1 C47 from Trenton.