USAF crash report (copy)

F-89c, Serial No. 51-5853A, assigned to the 433rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Truax Field, Wisconsin, was reported
missing over Lake Superior at approximately 2000 Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 23 November 1953. The aircraft
was scrambled from Kinross Air Force Base, Michigan to participate in an Active Air Defense Mission. The aircraft
and aircrew had not been located as of 1 January 1954.
On 23 November 1953, F-89c, Serial No. 51-5853A, was scrambled by “Naples” GCI to intercept and identify an
unknown aircraft flying over Lake Superior. The interceptor became airborne from Kinross Air Force Base, Michigan,
at 1822 EST. Original radar control of the aircraft was maintained by “Naples” GCI and at 1841 EST control was
transferred to “Pillow” GCI. The aircraft was flying at 30,000 feet at this time, At 1847 EST, at the request of “Pillow”,
the aircraft descended to 7,000 feet to begin the interception. Location of the aircraft was then approximately 150 miles
northeast from Kinross AFB and over northern Lake Superior. At 1851 EST, the interceptor pilot was requested to turn
to a heading of 20 degrees to the cut-off vector. After the turn was completed, the pilot was advised the unidentified
aircraft was at 11 o’clock, 10 miles distant. Radar returns from both aircraft were then seen to merge on “Pillow’s”
radar scope. The radar return from the other aircraft indicated it was continuing on its original flight path, while the
return from the F-89 disappeared from the GCI station’s radar scope.
The unknown aircraft being intercepted was a Royal Canadian Air Force Dakota (C-47), Serial No. VC-912, flying
from Winnipeg to Sudbury, Canada. At the time of interception, it was crossing Northern lake Superior from west to
east at 7,000 feet.
The pilot and radar observer were assigned to the 433rd Fighter-interceptor Squadron, Truax AFB, Wisconsin. They
were on temporary duty at Kinross AFB, Michigan, while the base’s regularly assigned personnel were firing gunnery
at Yuma, Arizona. The pilot had a total of 811:00 hours of which 121:40 hours were in F-89 type aircraft. He had
101:00 instrument hours and 91:50 hours night time. The radar observer had a total of 206:45 hours of which 11:30
hours were at night.
Search for the missing aircraft was conducted by both USAF and RCAF aircraft without success. Although 80 per cent
area coverage was reported, heavy snows precluded effective land search. All civilian reports of seeing or hearing the
aircraft were investigated with negative results.

ME2A 022
RR CA4A
DE ME2A 42
R 242215Z ZNJ
FM COMDR 520TH AD GP TRUAX FLD MADISON WIS
TO COMDR 534TH AD GP KINROSS AFB MICH
/R .D/TXOFS 4050
REQ YOU ACCEPT RESP FOR INVES OF A/C ACDT INVOLVING F-89c 51-5853
UNDER PROV PAR 19A CMR AFR 62-14, A/C FORMS FOR YOUR INVES W/B FWDD
WITHIN 24 HRS OF REC OF YOUR ACKMT.
24/2330Z NOV ME2A
23 November 1953 A/C NO 51-5853A Lt. Moncla
REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION OF TEMPORARY DUTY TRAVEL ORDERS OF MILITARY PERSONNEL
(This form authorizes an expenditure of Government finds and must be prepared accurately in
every detail. Continue items on reverse if necessary.)
1. TO: Adjutant General or Adjutant [1002ND INSPECTOR GENERAL GROUP]
2. Date of Request [24 NOV ?S