1953 — Jan 28, USN PB4Y, in poor weather and visibility, flies into Black Peak, WA –all 10

— 10 Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (50360 to 60009). 10-27-2011 rev.
— 10 Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. “Crash of…PB4Y-2…on Black Peak: 10 Killed.”
— 10 Daily Chronicle, Centralia, WA. “Add Three…Air Mishaps to Northwest…” 1-29-1953, 1

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer….59937 (VP-9) hit Black Pea[k], WA in bad weather Jan 28, 1953. 10 killed. Wreck found July 1953.” (Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (50360 to 60009). 10-27-2011 revision.)

Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives:
“Date & Time: Jan 28, 1953
“Type of aircraft: Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer
“Operator: US Navy
“Registration: 59937
….
“Survivors: No
“Site: Mountains
“Schedule: Alameda – Whidbey Island
“MSN: 59937
….
“Location: Black Peak, Washington
….
“Crew on board: 8
“Crew Fatalities: 8
“Pax on board: 2
“Pax fatalities: 2
….
“Total fatalities: 10
“Circumstances:

“While cruising at an altitude of 5,000 feet, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. In low visibility, the aircraft registered 59937 (VP-9) hit the slope of the Black Peak and disintegrated on impact. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. The wreckage was spotted and localized in July 1953. All 10 occupants have been killed and the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. The airplane was on its way from NAS Alameda to NAS Whidbey Island, carrying two Navy Officers and a crew of eight.

“Crew:
Lt Leland R. Stegemerten, pilot,
Lt David Jarvis, copilot,
Adc C. C. Longacre,
At1 T. W. Huffman,
Ao3 J. A. Kerrigan,
Ao3 J. L. McDonnell,
Ad3 H. L. Ziemba,
Adan T. J. Whited.
Passengers:
Cpt Julian David Greer,
Lt O. C. Everhart.

“Probable cause: Controlled flight into terrain.”

(Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. “Crash of a Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer on Black Peak: 10 Killed.”)

Newspaper

Jan 29, Associated Press: “Seattle (AP)….Patrol Plane Vanishes.

“Capt. Greer was aboard a U. S. navy P4Y patrol plane which vanished Wednesday over the Puget Sound country of Western Washington on a flight from Alameda to Whidbey Island naval air station, 60 miles north of here. Nine other navy personnel were aboard the craft….Heavy weather over the Cascades, which was expected to continue all day, hampered the search for the Navy Privateer…” (Daily Chronicle, Centralia, WA. “Add Three More Air Mishaps to Northwest Total.” 1-29-1953, p. 1.)

Sources

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (50360 to 60009). Oct 27, 2011 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries6.html

Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. “Crash of a Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer on Black Peak: 10 Killed.” Accessed 5-24-2023 at:
https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-consolidated-pb4y-2-privateer-black-peak-10-killed

Daily Chronicle, Centralia, WA. “Add Three More Air Mishaps to Northwest Total.” 1-29-1953, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=79554531