Crash C-119 53-3221 (original) (raw)

Chuck Lunsford sent me this photo and wrote me the story behind it:
This is 53-3221 of 11th Squadron. It had a prop overspeed and bellied in at Athens in 1958. Ouch!
This picture was taken by a C-119 Radio Operator (he was based at Evereux,France), and I think it was taken after they dragged this 'Box to a place where it was being dismantled.
Wonder what happened to the cargo deck?

Jim Reed (C-119 Flt. Test and Instructor Pilot 782nd TCSq. Neubiburg,Germany & Evreux,France '55-'58) noticed this page and wrote me in May 2006, to share details about a crash he himself remembered well:
"On Takeoff from Evreux, there were indications of an engine failing on C-119C 51-2602. I believe it was on the right engine, with backfiring and smoke coming from the engine, as reported by the tower.
The pilot in the left seat retarded the throttle somewhat and put both hands on the yoke to start a turn to downwind, to return for landing. No one had their hands on the throttles and they had failed to put the friction lock on... The throttle on the good engine vibrated back to idle and the next thing the pilot knew was that the airspeed was 80 knots!
They were headed for a field off the end of the runway.
As in the crash at Athens the weight of the wings and engine collapsed the cargo compartment, more seriously than the Athens accident and the airplane was totalled. Fortunately, there were no passengers in the cargo compartment and no there were injuries to the crew. The only injuries were to their careers."

"The 465th was based at Evreux,France and the 317th was at Neubiberg,Germany. When the 317th moved to Evreux they integrated the personnel and equipment in two wings and disbanded the 465th.
The 465th originally went to Toul Rosieres (Toul Air Base) in northeast France not too far from the city of Nancy.
About mid 1955 they moved the 465th personnel and equipment to Evreux. Later in 1957, the 317th moved from Neubiberg to Evreux. I transferred out in January 1958 after ferrying two C-119's back to the States. I was in the 317th Wing for a short period of time.
My form 5 (Flying Record) shows that in June of 1957 I was in the 465th TC Wg. and in July of 1957 I was in the 317th."