1962 — Mar 21, USN P2V Neptune crash mt. ridge 2M south of Elk Mountain, WA –all 10

–10 AP. “Navy Neptune found on ridge of mountain.” Daily Sentinel, Sitka, AK. 3-26-1962, p6.
–10 Aviation Safety Network. USN P2V Neptune crash Mt St. Helens, WA, 21-Mar-1962.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database:
“Date: 21-Mar-1962
“Time: night
“Type: Lockheed P2V Neptune
“Owner/operator: United States Navy (USN)
“Registration: [Not noted.]
…
“Fatalities: Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 10
….
“Location Mt. St. Helens, WA (USA). [Was 14M SW of Mt. St. Helens.]
“Phase: En route
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: Whidbey Island NAS, WA
“Destination airport: Alameda NAS, CA
“Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources
“Narrative: Missing over mountains after developed engine trouble on routine training
flight. Last seen 19:00. California Naval Reservist crew. Wreckage located on a snowy slope of Mt St. Helens after four days search 25 MAR.”

Newspaper

March 26, AP: “Portland (AP) A ground crew moved swiftly today toward a shattered Navy P2V Neptune bomber that crashed with its crew of 10 on a mountain ridge Wednesday night. A bulldozer began cutting a path into the rugged southwestern Washington area after a helicopter landed in a clearing and reported with surprise that it was within 1,000 feet of the wreckage. It had been thought the wreckage was several miles away. Four men had been let down to it by ‘copter Sunday night, but because of rain, snow and clouds the area was not plotted exactly.

“The body of Herbert Lawrence Yeager, Sacramento, Calif., was found beside a piece of the wreckage, which was widely scattered at the 3,500 foot level two miles south of Elk Mountain and 14 miles southwest of Mt. St. Helens. It was supposed other bodies were under the snow which had piled up two feet and more deep since the crash. There was no reported sign of survivors.” (AP. “Navy Neptune found on ridge of mountain.” The Daily Sentinel, Sitka, AK. 3-26-1962, p.6.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Navy Neptune found on ridge of mountain.” The Daily Sentinel, Sitka, AK. 3-26-1962, p. 6. Accessed 7-10-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-sitka-sentinel-mar-26-1962-p-6/

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database. USN P2V Neptune crash Mt St. Helens, WA, 21-Mar-1962. Accessed 7-10-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/257468