Documents / Report
This is a copy of the US Air Force aircraft accident and missing aircraft report on F-89C 51-5853A, released through Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue. The aircraft was scrambled from Kinross AFB, Michigan on 23 November 1953 to intercept an unknown aircraft over Lake Superior. It disappeared after its radar return merged with the target, which the report identifies as an RCAF Dakota. The file includes weather data, maintenance records, the RCAF search report and a 1954 reopened search, and says no trace was found.
[ X ] [See cover sheet for complete index
[ ] Clearance
[ ] Crew Member’s Statements
[ X ] Witness Statements
[ ] Photographs
[ ] Form 14A
[ ] Form 14B
[ ] Form 14C
[ ] Form 14D
[ ] Form 14E
RESTRICTED (WHEN FILLED IN)
Section O – DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
Tell in narrative form, in as much detail as necessary, everything is known about the accident. Make certain that items
checked on reverse side are justified by this narrative. If fire was involved in accident, explain in detail its origin and
progress and steps take to extinguish it.
Aircraft took off at 2322 Zebra 23 Nov 53 on an active Air Defense Mission to intercept an unknown aircraft
approximately 160 miles Northwest of Kinross Air Force Base. The aircraft was under radar control throughout the
interception. At approximately 2352 Zebra the last radio contact was made by the radar station controlling the
interception. At approximately 2355 Zebra the unknown aircraft and the F-89 merged together on the radar scope.
Shortly thereafter the IFF signal disappeared from the radar scope. No further contact was established with the F-89. An
extensive aerial search has revealed no trace of the aircraft. The aircraft and its crew is still missing.
RECOMMENDATIONS for action to prevent similar accidents:
Section P – AUTHENTICATION (Each investigating board member must sign below)
1. [ ] Personnel Responsible for This Accident Have Been Offered Opportunity for Rebuttal
[ X ] No Rebuttal Rcv’d [ ] Rebuttal Statement(s) Attached
2. Personnel Responsible Not Available Because Of:
[ ] Death [ ] Critical Injury [ X ] Other (Explain) [Personnel Missing]
Base Submitting Report [KINROSS AFB, MICHIGAN]
Member (Name and Grade) { /s/ } [FORREST F. PARHAM, MAJOR]
Medical Officer (Name and Grade) { /s/ } [DANIEL W SHEA, CAPTAIN]
R? (Name and Grade) { /s/ } [HARRY N. CASSMMAN?, MAJOR]
Aircraft Accident Officer (Name and Grade) { /s/ } [DAVID C. COLLINS, CAPTAIN]
Recorder (Name and Grade) { /s/ } [DAVID C. COLLINS, CAPTAIN]0
SUMMARY OR CIRCUMSTANCES Report, cited by the archive. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is above. 16 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.