1954 — May 31, USAF C47 (MN ANG) AP approach crash, gravel pit/heavy fog, Duluth IAP, MN–11

–11 AP. “11th Man Dead in Duluth Crash.” The Winona Daily, MN. 6-7-1954, p. 1.
–11 Aviation Safety Network. USAF C47 crash in heavy fog on AP approach, Duluth IAP, MN.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Network, Database:
“Date: Monday 31 May 1954
“Type: Douglas C-47A-30-DK (DC-3)
“Operator: United States Air Force – USAF
“Registration: 43-48097
“MSN: 25358/13913
“First flight: 1944
“Crew: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
“Passengers: Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 12
“Total: Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 14
….
“Location: Duluth-Williamson-Johnson Municipal Airport, MN (DLH)…USA
“Phase: Unknown (UNK)
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: Indianapolis Airport, IN, USA
“Destination airport: Duluth International Airport, MN (DLH/KDLH), USA
“Narrative: Crashed in a gravel pit in heavy fog.”

Newspapers

June 1, AP: “Duluth, Minn. (AP) – The death count mounted to nine today in the crash of an Air National Guard C47 transport one mile from the Duluth Municipal Airport Monday night. Five bodies were taken from the broken remnants of the two-engine craft and four other airmen died enroute to hospitals or shortly after being admitted.

“Latest to die early today was S. Sgt. Elmer Christensen, Duluth. Five were injured, one critically. Two who almost miraculously walked away from the wreck to summon help were described in ‘fairly good condition.’

“Returning From Indianapolis. The plane, piloted by World War II and Korean veteran, Maj. Frederick A Kemp Jr., 34, Duluth, was on a return flight from Indianapolis where most of the occupants had witnessed the 500-mile Speedway Race Monday. Kemp and Capt. Victor Graboski, 32, Cloquet, Minn., the co-pilot, were killed when the impact crushed the plane’s cabin. A huge hole was torn in the mid-section and parachutes and electronic equipment were strewn about the twisted wreckage.

“Mrs. Russell Westberg, who lives a short distance from the tree-lined gravel pit where the transport crashed, said she heard a thunderous roar that shook her house as the plane passed over. ‘There was an awful crash, then silence,’ Mrs. Westberg said. She, her sister and brother-in-law circled the area in a car for several minutes seeking the downed plane. Unable to find the craft, they returned home and in the driveway saw two dazed survivors – M. Sgt. Earl Sugars and M. Sgt. William Willeck. One of them shouted, ‘There’s been a crash back there,’ and told Mrs. Westberg to summon ambulances. Mrs. Westberg said Sugars looked ‘sick and shocked.’ She have him some coffee and aspirin while they awaited help.

“Lt. Col. Ralph M. Jerome, commander of the 179th Fighter-Interceptor squadron to which all but two of the 14 aboard were attached, said Kemp missed the runway on a first landing attempt and radioed the control tower that he could see the runway and would circle for another try. Jerome said the plane’s right wing apparently scraped the ground as Kemp banked and the ship plowed through the trees.

“He said the plane originally was to have stopped at Minneapolis because of threatening weather over Duluth. Near Minneapolis, Kemp was informed by radio from Duluth that the airport there was clear for an instrument landing, Jerome said. The crash came about 9:30 p.m. with a ceiling of 500 feet and visibility of four miles.

“Jerome described the flight to Indianapolis and back as a ‘routine gunsight and maintenance drill.’ He said the airmen agreed to take the flight this week instead of next week in order to see the auto race. Only two passengers, both killed, were not ‘weekend warriors’ with the squadron. They were Col. A. C. Ott, Duluth, retire commander of the 125th Field Artillery battalion, and Capt. William C. Lovshin, Chisholm, who was on active duty as a flight surgeon.

“Listed in critical condition was William Lange, Duluth, an airman first class. Donald E. Marty and George Ion, were in poor to fair condition.” (AP. “9 Dead in Air National Guard Crash. Transport Falls near Duluth Port. Misses First Try at Runway…” Austin Daily Herald, MN. 6-1-1954, p.1.)

June 2, AP: “Duluth (AP) – Death toll in the crash of an Air National Guard transport plane mounted to 10 Tuesday night with 2 others of the 14 aboard remaining in critical condition in Duluth hospitals. William Lange, 25, an airman first class, succumbed to his injuries while an official board if inquiry delved into the wreckage, searching out a possible cause for the plane’s crash into a gravel pit Monday night. Maj. John Hed of the 179th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron said preliminary inquiry showed that low-lying patches of fog played a large part in the accident, worst in state Guard history.

“Of the four survivors, two technical sergeants still were reported in serious condition. They are Georg Ion, 32, and Donald E. Marty, 24….

“The C-47 came down less than a mile and only 45 seconds away from the safety of the main runway at the Duluth Municipal Airport.” (Assoc. Press. “Tenth Crash Victim at Duluth Dies. Fog Blamed at least in Part for Guard Plane Mishap.” Daily Journal, Fergus Falls, MN, 6-2-1954, p.5.)

June 7, AP: “Duluth (AP) – S. Sgt. Donald E. Marty, 24, Duluth, died Sunday night, booting the toll from the May 31 Air National Guard plane crash to 11. Nine died in the crash and a tenth shortly afterward. Three are recovering.” (AP. “11th Man Dead in Duluth Crash.” The Winona Daily, MN. 6-7-1954, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “9 Dead in Air National Guard Crash. Transport Falls Near Duluth Port. Misses First Try at Runway on Hop From Races.” Austin Daily Herald, MN. 6-1-1954, p. 1. Accessed 7-3-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/austin-daily-herald-jun-01-1954-p-1/

Associated Press. “11th Man Dead in Duluth Crash.” The Winona Daily, MN. 6-7-1954, p. 1. Accessed 7-3-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-daily-news-jun-07-1954-p-21/

Associated Press. “Tenth Crash Victim at Duluth Dies. Fog Blamed at least in Part for Guard Plane Mishap.” Daily Journal, Fergus Falls, MN, 6-2-1954, p. 5.

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Network, Database. USAF C47 crash in heavy fog on airport approach, Duluth IAP, MN, 5-31-1954. Accessed 7-3-2023 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19540531-2