1967 — Dec 14, USN P2V-7 Neptune plane crash ~Sea Otter Glacier, Mt. Fairweather, AK-all 14
–14 Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. “Crash of a Lockheed P-2H Neptune…” 1967.
–14 Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial, Veterans Memorial Park, Oak Harbor, WA.
Narrative Information
Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives:
“Date & Time: Dec 14, 1967
“Type of aircraft: Lockheed P-2 Neptune
“Operator: USAF
“Registration: 135594
“Flight Phase: Flight
“Flight Type: Military
“Survivors: No
“Site: Mountains
“Schedule: Sangley Point – Elmendorf – Whidbey Island
“MSN: 726-7038
“Location: Mt Fairweather, Alaska
….
“Crew on board: 14
“Crew fatalities: 14
….
“Total fatalities: 14
“Circumstances: The crew was completing a transpacific flight from Sangley Point AFB to
Whidbey Island with probable en route stops in Japan and Alaska
(Elmendorf or Ladd AAF). While in cruising altitude, the airplane struck
the slope of Mt Fairweather located approximately 123 miles northwest of
Juneau. As the aircraft failed to arrive at Whidbey Island NAS, SAR
operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no
trace of the aircraft nor the 14 crew members was found. In 1982, the
wreckage was found in an isolated area.
“Probable cause: Controlled flight into terrain.”
Whidbey Patrol Squadron: “VP-42 [Squadron]. 14 Dec 1967: A VP-42 SP-2H (P2V-7) disappeared enroute from NS Kodiak, Alaska, to NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. No trace of the aircraft was found until it was spotted near Sea Otter Glacier, Mt. Fairweather, Alaska, in the fall of 1982. Remains of three of the fourteen crew members were identified and returned for burial.” (Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial, Veterans Memorial Park, Oak Harbor, WA. “Historical Background.”)
Sources
Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. “Crash of a Lockheed P-2H Neptune on Mt Fairweather: 14 Killed. Accessed 4-15-2022 at: https://www.baaa-acro.com/index.php/crash/crash-lockheed-p-2h-neptune-mt-fairweather-14-killed
Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial, Veterans Memorial Park, Oak Harbor, WA. “Historical Background.” Accessed 11-13-2011 at: http://patron2.com/files/wpsm_files/wpsm_22.html