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Joe Idoni

Photo Hiking Journal


  1. Aircraft Crash Sites

San Bernardino Mountains Beechcraft 95 Travelaire N2055C 8/24/12

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  • On June 7, 1964 the Beechcraft 95 Travelaire N2055C was on a flight from Reno, Nevada to Ontario Airport, California. During the IFR approach to the Ontario Airport, the flight was misidentified and misdirected by the RAPCON controller at March AFB which directed the pilot to fly into mountainous terrain in poor weather conditions causing the aircraft to impact a steep mountain slope. First report of the crash was made by Howard Triepke who heard the airplane fly very low over his home just after 3:00 pm. Moments later he heard the engines quit, followed by a loud crash. He notified William Loenhorst, the local sheriff's deputy who alerted the San Gorgonio Search and Rescue Team. Darkness and steep rugged terrain slowed the SAR team as they headed towards the crash site guided by the fire started by the airplane. They arrived at the site at approximately 10:00 pm, finding that none of the three men onboard had survived. Killed in the accident were pilot Rex C. Corder and passengers  Curtis F. Turrill, and Ray E. Snodgrass. The NTSB report started that the probable cause was traffic control personnel, failure to properly identify aircraft on radar with weather, low ceiling and fog as contributing factors in the accident.

    On June 7, 1964 the Beechcraft 95 Travelaire N2055C was on a flight from Reno, Nevada to Ontario Airport, California. During the IFR approach to the Ontario Airport, the flight was misidentified and misdirected by the RAPCON controller at March AFB which directed the pilot to fly into mountainous terrain in poor weather conditions causing the aircraft to impact a steep mountain slope. First report of the crash was made by Howard Triepke who heard the airplane fly very low over his home just after 3:00 pm. Moments later he heard the engines quit, followed by a loud crash. He notified William Loenhorst, the local sheriff's deputy who alerted the San Gorgonio Search and Rescue Team. Darkness and steep rugged terrain slowed the SAR team as they headed towards the crash site guided by the fire started by the airplane. They arrived at the site at approximately 10:00 pm, finding that none of the three men onboard had survived. Killed in the accident were pilot Rex C. Corder and passengers Curtis F. Turrill, and Ray E. Snodgrass. The NTSB report started that the probable cause was traffic control personnel, failure to properly identify aircraft on radar with weather, low ceiling and fog as contributing factors in the accident.

  • This hike started on a trail in the San Bernardino Mountains. My plan is to search an area that I believe the crash site maybe located from information that I gathered from old newspaper articles that reported on the accident.

    This hike started on a trail in the San Bernardino Mountains. My plan is to search an area that I believe the crash site maybe located from information that I gathered from old newspaper articles that reported on the accident.

  • View from the trail as I gain some altitude. The newspaper articles stated that the plane crashed into a forested area.

    View from the trail as I gain some altitude. The newspaper articles stated that the plane crashed into a forested area.

  • Been off the trail for awhile now. My plan is to traverse this slope hoping that I cross the debris field which should be scattered down it due to the steepness of the slope.

    Been off the trail for awhile now. My plan is to traverse this slope hoping that I cross the debris field which should be scattered down it due to the steepness of the slope.

  • The first piece of wreckage that I spotted. I hiked into the debris field near the middle. Decided to hike up and around to the top and check out the wreckage on the way down the slope.

    The first piece of wreckage that I spotted. I hiked into the debris field near the middle. Decided to hike up and around to the top and check out the wreckage on the way down the slope.

  • There was a lot of wreckage here at the top of the debris field. This looks like where most of the plane came to rest after being torn apart as it traveled through the trees.

    There was a lot of wreckage here at the top of the debris field. This looks like where most of the plane came to rest after being torn apart as it traveled through the trees.

  • At the top were pieces from the fuselage.

    At the top were pieces from the fuselage.

  • A piece from the rear section of the fuselage.

    A piece from the rear section of the fuselage.

  • Looking inside the same piece. The holes on the left were where the rivets from the dorsal fin were torn out.

    Looking inside the same piece. The holes on the left were where the rivets from the dorsal fin were torn out.

  • Another view shows the small piece of the dorsal fin that remains attached and the rivet holes in front of it. Behind it is a section from the nose with the nose landing gear well.

    Another view shows the small piece of the dorsal fin that remains attached and the rivet holes in front of it. Behind it is a section from the nose with the nose landing gear well.

  • Looking into the nose gear wheel well. Think that part someone stuck in there could be a cabin heater.

    Looking into the nose gear wheel well. Think that part someone stuck in there could be a cabin heater.

  • Other side of the same fuselage piece.

    Other side of the same fuselage piece.

  • Framework inside the same piece.

    Framework inside the same piece.

  • Also a wire harness.

    Also a wire harness.

  • Think these latches are from one of the engine nacelles.

    Think these latches are from one of the engine nacelles.

  • A mast for a wire antenna.

    A mast for a wire antenna.

  • Close up of the small ceramic insulator.

    Close up of the small ceramic insulator.

  • A small piece with the plane's trim colors.

    A small piece with the plane's trim colors.

  • No idea what this section of frame is from.

    No idea what this section of frame is from.

  • Outboard section of the left wing.

    Outboard section of the left wing.

  • Landing light on the wing.

    Landing light on the wing.

  • An engine nacelle would have been on this end of the wing.

    An engine nacelle would have been on this end of the wing.

  • Close up of the broken main spar.

    Close up of the broken main spar.

  • The wing tip was broken off.

    The wing tip was broken off.

  • Closer view shows the damage.

    Closer view shows the damage.

  • Looking up at the wing section and pieces from the fuselage as I work my way down.

    Looking up at the wing section and pieces from the fuselage as I work my way down.

  • This fairing is about a foot across, no idea where it's from.

    This fairing is about a foot across, no idea where it's from.

  • This piece has a access cover.

    This piece has a access cover.

  • Other side of the same piece. Looking at photos of Beech 95s, found out this piece is from one of the engine nacelles.

    Other side of the same piece. Looking at photos of Beech 95s, found out this piece is from one of the engine nacelles.

  • The group of wreckage that's below the wing up against a large tree.

    The group of wreckage that's below the wing up against a large tree.

  • On the tree, there was this small plaque placed here five years ago by the son and grandson of the pilot.

    On the tree, there was this small plaque placed here five years ago by the son and grandson of the pilot.

  • The remains of the door.

    The remains of the door.

  • Close up of the broken handle on the door.

    Close up of the broken handle on the door.

  • This big rock was on top of a piece from a wing.

    This big rock was on top of a piece from a wing.

  • Close up of the flap track.

    Close up of the flap track.

  • From the other side, I could see one of the landing gears under the big rock.

    From the other side, I could see one of the landing gears under the big rock.

  • Better view of the main landing gear. The gear door is under it.

    Better view of the main landing gear. The gear door is under it.

  • A closer view shows the wheel bearings on the axle, torsion link and brake disc.

    A closer view shows the wheel bearings on the axle, torsion link and brake disc.

  • Wing structure in the same group of wreckage.

    Wing structure in the same group of wreckage.

  • Some type of linkage with a spring on it. No idea where this would be used???

    Some type of linkage with a spring on it. No idea where this would be used???

  • An electric fuel pump.

    An electric fuel pump.

  • I think these are the doors for the nose landing gear.

    I think these are the doors for the nose landing gear.

  • Valve push rod tube and exhaust pipe.

    Valve push rod tube and exhaust pipe.

  • Think that this might be one of the attachment points for a wing. It's a heavy piece and a large bolt can be seen at the top.

    Think that this might be one of the attachment points for a wing. It's a heavy piece and a large bolt can be seen at the top.

  • A door from one of the main landing gears. The log next to it shows signs of the fire that was started by the accident.

    A door from one of the main landing gears. The log next to it shows signs of the fire that was started by the accident.

  • Other side of the gear door.

    Other side of the gear door.

  • One of the wing flap tracks. At this point I started making my way down the slope following the trail of wreckage.

    One of the wing flap tracks. At this point I started making my way down the slope following the trail of wreckage.

  • A piece from the fiberglass from the ait intake of an engine cowling.

    A piece from the fiberglass from the ait intake of an engine cowling.

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