Owens Peak JRB-4 Expeditor 5/31/08

On 2/3/49 the JRB-4 Expeditor BuNo 90550 USN crashed in the southern Sierras on Owens Peak in bad weather. It's two man crew and five passengers were killed in the accident. The aircraft's w ...

2009-08-22T10:08:43Z

Joe Idoni
On 2/3/49 the JRB-4 Expeditor BuNo 90550 USN crashed in the southern Sierras on Owens Peak in bad weather. It's two man crew and five passengers were killed in the accident. The aircraft's w ...

Driving in off Hwy 14. This is my first time in this area, surprised how nice it looks.

2009-03-20T13:27:22Z

Joe Idoni
Driving in off Hwy 14. This is my first time in this area, surprised how nice it looks.

This is as far as I can drive in. The road is blocked here because of the Wilderness Boundary.

2009-03-20T13:27:22Z

Joe Idoni
This is as far as I can drive in. The road is blocked here because of the Wilderness Boundary.

Hiking in on the closed road. Only hikers and horses are permitted past the boundary line.

2009-03-20T13:27:22Z

Joe Idoni
Hiking in on the closed road. Only hikers and horses are permitted past the boundary line.

The road turned into a trail that ended after about a mile, now I'm hiking up a tight canyon.

2009-03-20T13:27:22Z

Joe Idoni
The road turned into a trail that ended after about a mile, now I'm hiking up a tight canyon.

Looking back down the canyon I been hiking up.

2009-03-20T13:27:22Z

Joe Idoni
Looking back down the canyon I been hiking up.

After hiking for about two and half hours I spotted something shining up ahead about hundred yards up the slope. Didn't even need to use the binoculars to tell it was a wing.

2009-03-20T13:27:22Z

Joe Idoni
After hiking for about two and half hours I spotted something shining up ahead about hundred yards up the slope. Didn't even need to use the binoculars to tell it was a wing.

First piece I came upon. This one was fairly easy to locate.

2009-03-20T13:27:22Z

Joe Idoni
First piece I came upon. This one was fairly easy to locate.

Okay, I lost sight of the wing as I approached it. Been hiking around this slope for well over an hour and I can't find it after being so close.

2009-03-20T13:27:22Z

Joe Idoni
Okay, I lost sight of the wing as I approached it. Been hiking around this slope for well over an hour and I can't find it after being so close.

Now I'm up on the ridge looking east across the Mojave Desert. Somehow I climbed past it. The area is steep loose rock with a lot of trees. I was getting really frustrated. Decided to take a ...

2009-03-20T13:27:22Z

Joe Idoni
Now I'm up on the ridge looking east across the Mojave Desert. Somehow I climbed past it. The area is steep loose rock with a lot of trees. I was getting really frustrated. Decided to take a ...

After taking a break, figure the best thing to do was hike along the ridge and see if I could spot something from above. After a few minutes, I spotted the wing about a hundred yards below n ...

2009-03-20T13:27:22Z

Joe Idoni
After taking a break, figure the best thing to do was hike along the ridge and see if I could spot something from above. After a few minutes, I spotted the wing about a hundred yards below n ...

While hiking around a big plie of rocks to get to the wing, I noticed something in the trees.

2009-03-20T13:27:22Z

Joe Idoni
While hiking around a big plie of rocks to get to the wing, I noticed something in the trees.

Zooming in with the camera, I could see a stab and part of the fuselage through the trees.

2009-03-20T13:27:22Z

Joe Idoni
Zooming in with the camera, I could see a stab and part of the fuselage through the trees.

Heading down to the tail section. I'm feeling a lot better now. Trying to be careful hiking down. The rocks are loose and I'm worried about hurting myself being in hurry to get down to it.

2009-03-20T13:38:32Z

Joe Idoni
Heading down to the tail section. I'm feeling a lot better now. Trying to be careful hiking down. The rocks are loose and I'm worried about hurting myself being in hurry to get down to it.

Me with the JRB-4's tail section.

2009-03-20T13:38:53Z

Joe Idoni
Me with the JRB-4's tail section.

Shot of the tail with Owens Peak in the background. What little I've read about the accident stated that the JRB-4 crashed on Owens Peak.

2009-03-20T13:38:53Z

Joe Idoni
Shot of the tail with Owens Peak in the background. What little I've read about the accident stated that the JRB-4 crashed on Owens Peak.

Another view looking out towards Mojave Desert.

2009-03-20T13:38:53Z

Joe Idoni
Another view looking out towards Mojave Desert.

Found an old photo taken the day after the crash site was found. Looks like just the left wing and tail section remain after the impact and fire.

2009-03-20T13:38:53Z

Joe Idoni
Found an old photo taken the day after the crash site was found. Looks like just the left wing and tail section remain after the impact and fire.

This shot shows how steep the slope is. When I hiked up the slope, I was on the other side of that pile of rocks. Must have past the tail by less than fifty feet without seeing it.

2009-03-20T13:38:53Z

Joe Idoni
This shot shows how steep the slope is. When I hiked up the slope, I was on the other side of that pile of rocks. Must have past the tail by less than fifty feet without seeing it.

This looks like the impact area just above the tail section. There was a lot of melted aluminum and rusted steel.

2009-03-20T13:38:53Z

Joe Idoni
This looks like the impact area just above the tail section. There was a lot of melted aluminum and rusted steel.

Looking up at the impact area.

2009-03-20T13:38:53Z

Joe Idoni
Looking up at the impact area.

One of the main landing gears.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
One of the main landing gears.

Lot a small pieces.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Lot a small pieces.

Large control cable pulley. The tail section can be seen below in the lower right corner of photo.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Large control cable pulley. The tail section can be seen below in the lower right corner of photo.

Pushrod from one of the engines.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Pushrod from one of the engines.

I found a similar actuator at the crash site of the C-45 at Mountain Pass.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
I found a similar actuator at the crash site of the C-45 at Mountain Pass.

These control cables still looked new after 59 years.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
These control cables still looked new after 59 years.

Back down at the tail. The left fin was still attached, but the rudder was gone.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Back down at the tail. The left fin was still attached, but the rudder was gone.

Very little damage on the left fin.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Very little damage on the left fin.

Center section of the stab and tail end of the fuselage. No sign of the elevator at the site.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Center section of the stab and tail end of the fuselage. No sign of the elevator at the site.

Only the bottom section of the right fin remained.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Only the bottom section of the right fin remained.

View of the right fin from the other side. The deicing boot was still in pretty good shape.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
View of the right fin from the other side. The deicing boot was still in pretty good shape.

This shot shows some of the wreckage near the tail.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
This shot shows some of the wreckage near the tail.

I opened the inspection hatches for the photo.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
I opened the inspection hatches for the photo.

Looking under the stab I could see what looked like a section of wing.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Looking under the stab I could see what looked like a section of wing.

Getting closer could see some blue paint.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Getting closer could see some blue paint.

Climbed up on the stab and looked down, I could barely make out part of the star from the insignia on the wing section.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Climbed up on the stab and looked down, I could barely make out part of the star from the insignia on the wing section.

Walking around could see the remains of a wing under the tail.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Walking around could see the remains of a wing under the tail.

Looked like the outer section of the right wing.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Looked like the outer section of the right wing.

View of the steel main wing spar.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
View of the steel main wing spar.

This view shows how much of the fuselage remained with the tail.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
This view shows how much of the fuselage remained with the tail.

Looks like a wing tip. Has a deicing boot and navigation light.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Looks like a wing tip. Has a deicing boot and navigation light.

Close up of the navigation light

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Close up of the navigation light

When a first saw these pulleys I thought they were bent. Looking closer saw that they were set at those angles and the cables would run in the channel under them.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
When a first saw these pulleys I thought they were bent. Looking closer saw that they were set at those angles and the cables would run in the channel under them.

Hose fitting.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Hose fitting.

This is the fuselage section that would be just over the pilots heads. The top is the front where the windshield would be. The small rear facing scoop is a air vent.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
This is the fuselage section that would be just over the pilots heads. The top is the front where the windshield would be. The small rear facing scoop is a air vent.

Close up of one of the windows.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Close up of one of the windows.

Part of an exhaust manifold.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Part of an exhaust manifold.

The other main gear.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
The other main gear.

Same gear from the other side.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Same gear from the other side.

Looking up at the tail section. It's really hard to see from below.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Looking up at the tail section. It's really hard to see from below.

Hiking down the slope started finding more engine parts.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Hiking down the slope started finding more engine parts.

Complete exhaust manifold with the exhaust pipe still attached.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Complete exhaust manifold with the exhaust pipe still attached.

Looking through the trees I finally found the wing that I spotted from below.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Looking through the trees I finally found the wing that I spotted from below.

This is the outer section of the left wing.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
This is the outer section of the left wing.

Closer look at the damage at the tip.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Closer look at the damage at the tip.

Landing light.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Landing light.

Looks like this is where the outer wing section connects to the center section.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Looks like this is where the outer wing section connects to the center section.

Wing's trailing edge. I noticed that none of the control surfaces were at the site. Not one flap, aileron, rudder or elevator. Have a feeling that someone made off with them.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Wing's trailing edge. I noticed that none of the control surfaces were at the site. Not one flap, aileron, rudder or elevator. Have a feeling that someone made off with them.

Looking down on the wing from above. I actually starting climbing up this section after spotting the wing from below. But the way it's hidden by the small bushes below it, I wasn't able to s ...

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Looking down on the wing from above. I actually starting climbing up this section after spotting the wing from below. But the way it's hidden by the small bushes below it, I wasn't able to s ...

View from below.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
View from below.

Wing tip.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Wing tip.

Looking up as I hike down the slope. The arrow is pointing to where the tail section is behind the trees and bushes.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Looking up as I hike down the slope. The arrow is pointing to where the tail section is behind the trees and bushes.

A cylinder from one of the engines. I seen photos of the engines at this site, so they should be around here somewhere.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
A cylinder from one of the engines. I seen photos of the engines at this site, so they should be around here somewhere.

Another piece of exhaust manifold.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Another piece of exhaust manifold.

Oxygen bottle and another cylinder. This one has the head still attached.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Oxygen bottle and another cylinder. This one has the head still attached.

Another view of the head and cylinder.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Another view of the head and cylinder.

One of the two 450-hp Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Juniors that power the Beech C-45Fs.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
One of the two 450-hp Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Juniors that power the Beech C-45Fs.

Four of the nine cylinders were missing.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Four of the nine cylinders were missing.

Close up view.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Close up view.

When I got to this point on the way down, I realized that I never found the second engine, but I'm not going back up that slope to look for it.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
When I got to this point on the way down, I realized that I never found the second engine, but I'm not going back up that slope to look for it.

View of Owens Peak on the way out. There are crash sites of the A-7A BuNo 152674 and Cessna 210B N9771X that mid-aired over the peak on 8/1/67 scattering wreckage on it's slopes. One of thes ...

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
View of Owens Peak on the way out. There are crash sites of the A-7A BuNo 152674 and Cessna 210B N9771X that mid-aired over the peak on 8/1/67 scattering wreckage on it's slopes. One of thes ...

Back on the road with the truck in sight.

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Back on the road with the truck in sight.

Driving back out to the highway. On the whole hike out, all I was thinking about was getting a cheeseburger in Mojave. The two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Cheez-Its I bought along ...

2009-03-20T13:38:54Z

Joe Idoni
Driving back out to the highway. On the whole hike out, all I was thinking about was getting a cheeseburger in Mojave. The two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Cheez-Its I bought along ...