1978 — Oct 6, USN C-118 Transport Crashes into hill in Fog near Santiago, Chile — 16
— 18 Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (130265 to 135773). 10-7-2011.
— 18 Del Rio News-Herald, TX. “U.S. Navy DC-6 Crash Kills 18.” 10-6-1978, p. 2.
— 16 Aiken Standard, SC. “South Carolinian Killed in Crash of Navy Airplane.” 10-9-1978, 16
— 16 Daily Globe, Ironwood, MI. “Plane that Crashed Based in Michigan.” 10-7-1978, p. 1.
— 16 Daily Herald, Chicago, IL. “Yanks’ coffins head home.” 10-8-1978, p. 6.
— 16 Stevens Point Journal, WI. “Duluth man among 16 air crash victims.” 10-6-1978, p. 19.
Narrative Information
Baugher: “131618 (c/n 43721) loaned to USAF as C-118A 51-17659. Returned to USN. Crashed Santiago de Chile Oct 6, 1978. 18 killed.” (Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (130265 to 135773). 10-7-2011.)
Newspapers
Oct 6: “Santiago, Chile (AP) – A U.S. Navy DC-6 crashed into a hill south of Santiago today, killing all 18 persons aboard, Chilean national police reported. The Chilean air force confirmed the deaths, but it was not known whether all aboard were Americans.
“The plane was taking part in “Operation Unitas,” a joint naval training exercise involving the United states, Chile and Peru.
“Police said the plane burst into flames shortly after it hit the ground. The owner of a farm near the crash site said some of her workers reported hearing a loud noise just after the plane passed over at low altitude, but that they did not see the crash because of heavy fog.
“The air force said the plane took off from the airport at Concepcion, 300 miles south of Santiago, on a flight to Los Cerrillos Airport in Santiago. The Chilean Air Rescue Service sent two helicopters to the crash site and reported there were no survivors.” (Del Rio News-Herald, TX. “U.S. Navy DC-6 Crash Kills 18.” 10-6-1978, p. 2.)
Oct 7: “Santiago, Chile (AP) – A Michigan-based U.S. Navy transport plane, taking part in a training exercise here, slammed into a fog-shrouded hill 10 miles south of Santiago, killing all 16 American servicemen aboard….The [U.S.] Embassy…[said] that eight of the dead were known to be the plane’s crew, and the other eight were U.S. Navy personnel who were passengers.
“A spokesman at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Mount Clemens, Mich., where the plane was based, said it was not known whether any of the dead were from Michigan. However, the spokesman said, some of the crewmen aboard the C-118 when it left the base Monday afternoon
were believed to be reservists from Michigan….
“The Chilean air force said the plane lost contact with ground crews just before crashing and the
crash was probably caused by fog. A Chilean navy spokesman said those aboard the plane were being flown back to the United States.” (Daily Globe, Ironwood, MI. “Plane that Crashed Based in Michigan.” 10-7-1978, p. 1.)
Victims
1. Bacalis, Theodore R. Seaman Grand Rapids, MI
2. Beck, Charles W. Aviation Electronics Tech., 1st Class Hayesville, OH
3. Cook, Roy E. Aviation Machinist Mate 1st Class, Selfridge Air Force Base, MI
4. Dann, Warren K. Commander Alviso, CA
5. David, Mario M. Postal Clerk 3rd Class Panpanga, Philippines
6. Dufour, Patrick B. Boiler Tech. Fireman Recruit Pineville, LA
7. Ennis, Marvin R. Lt. Commander New Philadelphia, OH
8. Goyda, Richard G. Radioman 2nd Class Goose Creek, SC
9. Griffy, John R. Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Tipton, IN
10. Hobbs, Gerald P. Opticalman 2nd Class Stockton, CA
11. Jones, Harlen B. Boiler Tech Chief Virginia Beach, VA
12. Lopez, Nickie A. Seaman Denver, CO
13. Marrazzo, Vincent A. Hospitalman Rivervale, NJ
14. McClatchey, Aviation Machinist Mate Chief Theodore R. Columbus, OH
15. Quade, Lt. Kenneth E. Duluth, MN
16. Reger, Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class John G. Dexter, OR
(Stevens Point Journal, WI. “Duluth man among 16 air crash victims.” 10-6-1978, p. 19.)
Sources
Aiken Standard, SC. “South Carolinian Killed in Crash of Navy Airplane.” 10-9-1978, 16. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=104071394
Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (130265 to 135773). Oct 7, 2011 update. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries15.html
Daily Globe, Ironwood, MI. “Plane that Crashed Based in Michigan.” 10-7-1978, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=81400241
Daily Herald, Chicago, IL. “Yanks’ coffins head home.” 10-8-1978, p. 6. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=15790576
Del Rio News-Herald, TX. “U.S. Navy DC-6 Crash Kills 18.” 10-6-1978, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=112312017
Stevens Point Journal, WI. “Duluth man among 16 air crash victims.” 10-6-1978, p. 19. Accessed 9-25-2021 at: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/18783554/16-air-crash-victims-listing-1061978/