USAF crash report (copy)

GROUND REPORTS
12 Numerous ground reports were received, the majority of which upon investigation were discounted. An overheard
radio transmission discussing aircraft wreckage was traced to its origin in South Bend Indiana . The wreckage referred
to was the wreckage of another missing aircraft which was eventually located in that area.
- 3 -
13 Two clues - - one obtained on the 25 Nov and the other on 27 Nov, were considered reliable. The first from a mail
carrier who claimed he thought he saw the wreckage of an aircraft in the water in the Cut River Bridge area (455730N
8457W). Michigan state police searched the area three times and discounted his sighting as rocks. The second clue was
reported as the sighting of wreckage of an aircraft on the side of a mountain on the eastern shore of the lake about 80
miles north of Kinross (472330N 844110W). This area was searched exhaustively by an Expeditor, a Dakota, a B25
and finally a Helicopter with negative results.
CONCLUSIONS
14 Because of the inability to determine the cause of the aircraft's disappearance the search was expanded to cover all
possibilities, but was greatly hampered by bad weather and icing conditions.
15 Despite intensive aerial search and the careful \check of all ground reports, no trace of the missing aircraft could be
found. After a conference with USAF authorities and with their concurrence active search was suspended the evening
of 28 Nov 53.
16 The co-operation shown to the searchmaster, his assistant and the Canadian crews, by the USAF authorities at
Kinross Air Force Base was exceptionally good.
/s/
(R.H. Stroute) S/L
for AOC, TC.
APPENDIX "A"
TO 976-3 (SC&T/AT4)
DATED 18 DEC 53
WEATHER SITUATION ALONG THE ROUTE OF THE MISSING AIRCRAFT
1 The weather conditions existing over eastern Lake Superior at the time contact was lost with the missing F89, was
forecast to be the following. A generally solid deck of Stratocumulus base from 2-3000 and top at 6-7000 feet. A
broken Altostratus layer, base 10,000 to 14-15000 feet. The visibility was generally 10-12 miles falling to 1-2 miles in
isolated snow showers. The freezing level was at the surface to the west, rising to 800 - 1000 feet in the east. Analysis
of the Sault Ste Marie Radio Sonde Run for 2100Z (1600E) indicates that moderate to heavy icing could occur from the
cloud base to 7000 feet. The air was quite stable and rime ice should have predominated. No turbulence or other hazard
would have been encountered. The winds were light south-easterly at the surface shifting to west aloft.
APPENDIX "B"
TO 976-3 (SC&T/AT4)
DATED 18 DEC 53
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