1. Military Aviation Archaeology

October 16, 1984, USAF, Boeing B-52G (57-6479) Monument Valley, AZ

ACCIDENT SYNOPSIS:

On October 16, 1984 at 3:46 PM, a Boeing B-52G (SWOON 52) operated by the 92nd BMW of the Strategic Air Command departed Fairchild Air Force Base, WA for a scheduled night T-3 Training Mission.

At 8:55 PM, while flying in and out of snow showers, the B-52's right wing and #4 engine pylon struck the north crest of Hunts Mesa on the Navajo Indian Reservation. The aircraft continued to travel on a 155 degree magnetic heading another 3,465 feet before it crashed onto a lower southern bluff of Hunts Mesa. On board the aircraft were:

Capt. Robert L. Keeney......Pilot
1st.Lt. Douglas J. Schwartz...Co-Pilot
Maj. Eugene J. Daspit......Radar Navigator
1st.Lt. Kenneth O. Portis.....Navigator
Capt. Sean M. Yeronick......Electronic Warfare Officer
Sgt. David W. Felix........Gunner
Col. William L. Ivy........Pilot/Safety Observer

After striking the mesa, the crew managed to eject from the aircraft with serious injuries. The exception being Sgt. David Felix whose parachute failed to deploy before ground contact and Col. William Ivy who was seated in the observers seat without the capability to eject or escape before the plane crashed. Both were killed in the accident.

**********************************************************************************

HISTORICAL SUMMARY:

I have known of this accident since 1992 and have flown over the area many times but had never been able to locate the crash site from the air. I knew from talking with the local Navajos that the area had been "cleaned" by the Air Force a year or so after the accident.

On September 19, 2008, I traveled to Hunts Mesa on the Navajo Indian Reservation to see for myself if anything remains at the site.

Thanks again to Brad Gray for the accident report and the information he provided. Through his assistance, he saved me many hours of searching.
Read More
  • THE AIRCRAFT<br />
<br />
The Boeing B-52G (57-6479) Call sign SWOON 52 departed Fairchild AFB at 3:46 PM for a night T-3 mission that would include air refueling, low level segments with two re-entries, and a high altitude navigation leg.

    THE AIRCRAFT

    The Boeing B-52G (57-6479) Call sign SWOON 52 departed Fairchild AFB at 3:46 PM for a night T-3 mission that would include air refueling, low level segments with two re-entries, and a high altitude navigation leg.

    home

  • All B-52s are equipped with an electro-optical viewing system that uses platinum silicide forward-looking infrared and high resolution low-light-level television sensors to augment the targeting, battle assessment, flight safety and terrain-avoidance system, thus further improving its combat ability and low-level flight capability. (U.S. Air Force photo)

    All B-52s are equipped with an electro-optical viewing system that uses platinum silicide forward-looking infrared and high resolution low-light-level television sensors to augment the targeting, battle assessment, flight safety and terrain-avoidance system, thus further improving its combat ability and low-level flight capability. (U.S. Air Force photo)

    205925652019920917

  • SWOON 52 began its refueling segment with the KC-135 high above Idaho and Western Wyoming.<br />
<br />
After a high altitude refueling exercise, SWOON 52 began it's decent to enter the low level training route of IR-276. This route would take them through Monument Valley at night and at altitudes as low as 500 feet above the surface. Terrain avoidance was accomplished using radar altimeters and night vision equipment. <br />
<br />
Snow storms and heavy freezing precipitation obscured Hunts Mesa from their equipment and they struck the right wing on the north rim of the mesa. The impact and extensive wing damage caused the aircraft to roll to the right in a descending spiral to the ground.

    SWOON 52 began its refueling segment with the KC-135 high above Idaho and Western Wyoming.

    After a high altitude refueling exercise, SWOON 52 began it's decent to enter the low level training route of IR-276. This route would take them through Monument Valley at night and at altitudes as low as 500 feet above the surface. Terrain avoidance was accomplished using radar altimeters and night vision equipment.

    Snow storms and heavy freezing precipitation obscured Hunts Mesa from their equipment and they struck the right wing on the north rim of the mesa. The impact and extensive wing damage caused the aircraft to roll to the right in a descending spiral to the ground.

  • The pilots compartment as seen from the observer seat. Both pilot and co-pilot eject upward in an emergency situation. The observer seat has no ejection capability.

    The pilots compartment as seen from the observer seat. Both pilot and co-pilot eject upward in an emergency situation. The observer seat has no ejection capability.

  • The EW Officer (Electronic Weapons) in the left seat and the Gunner in the right seat are situated in a room a short distance behind the pilots on the upper level. Their seats eject upwards.<br />
<br />
I would assume that the aircraft was rolling and in an inverted decent when Sgt. Felix ejected thus causing the reported fatal head injuries.<br />
<br />
This photo is of an early B-52 navigation position and is used to illustrate how the EW/Gunner crew was situated. Photos of the EW/Gunner position are currently classified by the U.S. Government.

    The EW Officer (Electronic Weapons) in the left seat and the Gunner in the right seat are situated in a room a short distance behind the pilots on the upper level. Their seats eject upwards.

    I would assume that the aircraft was rolling and in an inverted decent when Sgt. Felix ejected thus causing the reported fatal head injuries.

    This photo is of an early B-52 navigation position and is used to illustrate how the EW/Gunner crew was situated. Photos of the EW/Gunner position are currently classified by the U.S. Government.

    buffstations

  • The Navigator and Radar Navigator occupy the lower deck of a B-52G. In an emergency these crew members eject downward through two escape hatches directly below their seats. (U.S. Air Force photo)

    The Navigator and Radar Navigator occupy the lower deck of a B-52G. In an emergency these crew members eject downward through two escape hatches directly below their seats. (U.S. Air Force photo)

    lowerdeck

  • VISITING THE CRASH SITE<br />
<br />
Sunrise, September 19, 2008. I arrived at the base of Hunts Mesa in total darkness around 2 AM after a long drive from Grand Canyon. I navigated to this location using a GPS coupled with mapping software and route waypoints.

    VISITING THE CRASH SITE

    Sunrise, September 19, 2008. I arrived at the base of Hunts Mesa in total darkness around 2 AM after a long drive from Grand Canyon. I navigated to this location using a GPS coupled with mapping software and route waypoints.

  • Today's technology has made aviation archaeology much easier. This Panasonic CF-28 Toughbook features a touchscreen and a back-lit keyboard. Navigating to this remote area at night would have been near impossible without this setup or similar.

    Today's technology has made aviation archaeology much easier. This Panasonic CF-28 Toughbook features a touchscreen and a back-lit keyboard. Navigating to this remote area at night would have been near impossible without this setup or similar.

  • I brought along the ATV not only in case the roads got really bad, but also to provide extra weight and traction for the rear truck tires in the deep sand.<br />
<br />
I decided to use the ATV for the remaining four miles to save wear and tear on the truck. It was a good decision to bring it along since the trail up to Hunts Mesa turned out to be very rough.

    I brought along the ATV not only in case the roads got really bad, but also to provide extra weight and traction for the rear truck tires in the deep sand.

    I decided to use the ATV for the remaining four miles to save wear and tear on the truck. It was a good decision to bring it along since the trail up to Hunts Mesa turned out to be very rough.

    1003487

  • Getting all my equipment together took some time. I ended up packing two digital cameras, air band radio, first aid kit, SPOT personal tracking device, food, and lots of water. The temperature was forecast to be in the high 80s.

    Getting all my equipment together took some time. I ended up packing two digital cameras, air band radio, first aid kit, SPOT personal tracking device, food, and lots of water. The temperature was forecast to be in the high 80s.

    1003488

  • The versatility of the ATV in aviation archaeology is unmatched. With a short narrow wheel base and four wheel drive capabilities, I can maneuver over and around obstacles that a truck or jeep could never do. <br />
<br />
The ATV I use is a modified 2005 Honda Rincon 650 4x4 with independent suspension. It is equipped with two GPS receivers, 2 meter/440 mhz communications, 2.0 Warn winch, 2" lift, full protective under armor, front and rear heavy duty bumpers, front and rear cargo lockers, on-board air compressor, ITP wheels and over-sized traction tires. It can climb 50 degree slopes. Top speed on level ground is 55 mph.

    The versatility of the ATV in aviation archaeology is unmatched. With a short narrow wheel base and four wheel drive capabilities, I can maneuver over and around obstacles that a truck or jeep could never do.

    The ATV I use is a modified 2005 Honda Rincon 650 4x4 with independent suspension. It is equipped with two GPS receivers, 2 meter/440 mhz communications, 2.0 Warn winch, 2" lift, full protective under armor, front and rear heavy duty bumpers, front and rear cargo lockers, on-board air compressor, ITP wheels and over-sized traction tires. It can climb 50 degree slopes. Top speed on level ground is 55 mph.

    1003504

  • Pictured here is actually a good stretch of the four mile trail up to the summit of Hunts Mesa. ATVs are allowed on the Navajo Indian Reservation as long as you stay on designated roads and trails.

    Pictured here is actually a good stretch of the four mile trail up to the summit of Hunts Mesa. ATVs are allowed on the Navajo Indian Reservation as long as you stay on designated roads and trails.

    1003503

  • Once on the 6,300' summit of Hunts Mesa, I used the photos in the official USAF accident report to determine the B-52's initial impact point.<br />
<br />
I aligned the buttes and mesas seen in this photo to match the ones in the report. I then searched the area.

    Once on the 6,300' summit of Hunts Mesa, I used the photos in the official USAF accident report to determine the B-52's initial impact point.

    I aligned the buttes and mesas seen in this photo to match the ones in the report. I then searched the area.

    1003491

  • I fly tours over this landscape 2-3 times a week and it never gets old. One of the best vistas I have seen for a crash site.

    I fly tours over this landscape 2-3 times a week and it never gets old. One of the best vistas I have seen for a crash site.

    1003499

  • The danger of hiking this terrain is that unlike many places I have been, you walk to a ledge and there is the cliff. Very easy to see danger. <br />
<br />
At Monument Valley it's a little different. The cliffs here are preceded by a gentle sandstone slope that will slide you to that 800 foot cliff.

    The danger of hiking this terrain is that unlike many places I have been, you walk to a ledge and there is the cliff. Very easy to see danger.

    At Monument Valley it's a little different. The cliffs here are preceded by a gentle sandstone slope that will slide you to that 800 foot cliff.

    1003492

  • INITIAL IMPACT - HUNTS MESA<br />
<br />
It took only about five minutes of walking the area before I found one of several separated turbine blades. The bladed provided evidence that a major portion of wing and engine pylon sheared from the aircraft.

    INITIAL IMPACT - HUNTS MESA

    It took only about five minutes of walking the area before I found one of several separated turbine blades. The bladed provided evidence that a major portion of wing and engine pylon sheared from the aircraft.

  • This bent engine nacelle latch marked "Boeing" confirmed the initial impact point of the B-52G.

    This bent engine nacelle latch marked "Boeing" confirmed the initial impact point of the B-52G.

  • I scrambled down to the bottom of this gulley to inspect this wing panel fragment. Years of heavy rains and floods washed many fragments into the gulley.

    I scrambled down to the bottom of this gulley to inspect this wing panel fragment. Years of heavy rains and floods washed many fragments into the gulley.

    1003494

  • The area was scattered with turbine blades. It was rumoured by many that the tail section hit the edge of the mesa first. However, the on-site evidence during my visit indicates a wing and engine pylon made the first contact.

    The area was scattered with turbine blades. It was rumoured by many that the tail section hit the edge of the mesa first. However, the on-site evidence during my visit indicates a wing and engine pylon made the first contact.

    1003495

  • Not quite sure what this is from. It is heavy cast metal painted white. My first thought is that it could be a strut casing fragment from the wing outrigger gear.

    Not quite sure what this is from. It is heavy cast metal painted white. My first thought is that it could be a strut casing fragment from the wing outrigger gear.

    1003496

  • Boeing B-52G Wing Outrigger Gear. Circled is the strut assembly similiar to the fragment located on Hunts Mesa.

    Boeing B-52G Wing Outrigger Gear. Circled is the strut assembly similiar to the fragment located on Hunts Mesa.

  • Another wing panel fragment painted grey.

    Another wing panel fragment painted grey.

    1003497

  • Not a fragment of aircraft wreckage but a piece of the area's ancient pre-history. This Anasazi pottery dates around 700-1200 AD.

    Not a fragment of aircraft wreckage but a piece of the area's ancient pre-history. This Anasazi pottery dates around 700-1200 AD.

    1003498

  • TRACKING "SWOON 52"<br />
<br />
After locating the B-52's initial impact point, it was time to try and locate where the plane finally came down. <br />
<br />
My first thought was how far can a B-52 continue to fly while missing a very big piece of its wing?

    TRACKING "SWOON 52"

    After locating the B-52's initial impact point, it was time to try and locate where the plane finally came down.

    My first thought was how far can a B-52 continue to fly while missing a very big piece of its wing?

    1003502

  • I traveled a distance across Hunts Mesa until I reached the end of the trail. <br />
<br />
Using binoculars and looking southeast across this lower bluff, I could see small reflections of metal. The final impact site of the B-52G is circled in the distance. The plane traveled nearly 3/4 of a mile before it's final impact.

    I traveled a distance across Hunts Mesa until I reached the end of the trail.

    Using binoculars and looking southeast across this lower bluff, I could see small reflections of metal. The final impact site of the B-52G is circled in the distance. The plane traveled nearly 3/4 of a mile before it's final impact.

    1003592

  • THE MAIN IMPACT SITE<br />
<br />
Hiking to the site, it was not long before I started finding small fragments indicating the disintegration of the B-52 across the bluff.

    THE MAIN IMPACT SITE

    Hiking to the site, it was not long before I started finding small fragments indicating the disintegration of the B-52 across the bluff.

    1003507

  • Fragments of burned juniper trees, shrubs, and wreckage told me I was hiking in the right direction.

    Fragments of burned juniper trees, shrubs, and wreckage told me I was hiking in the right direction.

    1003557

  • An earlier visitor to the crash site made a small pile of wreckage.

    An earlier visitor to the crash site made a small pile of wreckage.

    1003509

  • This aerial photo taken of Hunts Mesa at an altitude of 7,000 feet illustrates the B-52's initial collision with the north edge of the mesa (large red oval) and the final impact point (small red oval) nearly 3,500 feet away. (Photo taken 9/29/08)

    This aerial photo taken of Hunts Mesa at an altitude of 7,000 feet illustrates the B-52's initial collision with the north edge of the mesa (large red oval) and the final impact point (small red oval) nearly 3,500 feet away. (Photo taken 9/29/08)

  • Another aerial photo illustrates the final impact location on the lower bluff after the B-52 made it's initial contact with Hunts Mesa at an elevation of 6,300 feet. <br />
<br />
The large yellow outlined area represents an area of wreckage scatter and the first point of ground contact. The two small yellow circles represent concentrated burn areas. (Photo taken 9/29/08)

    Another aerial photo illustrates the final impact location on the lower bluff after the B-52 made it's initial contact with Hunts Mesa at an elevation of 6,300 feet.

    The large yellow outlined area represents an area of wreckage scatter and the first point of ground contact. The two small yellow circles represent concentrated burn areas. (Photo taken 9/29/08)

  • Across a gully on the bluff, I noticed a large concentrated burn area surrounded by small pieces of wreckage.

    Across a gully on the bluff, I noticed a large concentrated burn area surrounded by small pieces of wreckage.

    1003508

  • This photo shows the location of the two concentrated burn areas on the lower bluff. The gully and the rock outcroppings in the background helped reduce and contain an even larger scatter of aircraft wreckage.

    This photo shows the location of the two concentrated burn areas on the lower bluff. The gully and the rock outcroppings in the background helped reduce and contain an even larger scatter of aircraft wreckage.

    1003577

  • This would turn out to be the first of two concentrated burn areas. The other being further across the bluff.

    This would turn out to be the first of two concentrated burn areas. The other being further across the bluff.

    1003575

  • Examination of the first concentrated burn area.

    Examination of the first concentrated burn area.

    1003513

  • This wreckage was wedged under a large sandstone boulder. The boulder probably rolled down onto the wreckage after impact.

    This wreckage was wedged under a large sandstone boulder. The boulder probably rolled down onto the wreckage after impact.

    1003568

  • Unlike the previous photo, this fragment was wedged into the rock by the sheer force of impact.

    Unlike the previous photo, this fragment was wedged into the rock by the sheer force of impact.

    1003569

  • A further examination of the first concentrated burn area.

    A further examination of the first concentrated burn area.

    1003564

  • With temperatures approaching the high 80s, I was starting to bake in the heat of the day.

    With temperatures approaching the high 80s, I was starting to bake in the heat of the day.

    1003566

  • A long strand of electrical wiring. The B-52 had miles of it.

    A long strand of electrical wiring. The B-52 had miles of it.

    1003510

  • More wiring and electrical connectors.

    More wiring and electrical connectors.

    1003514

  • Various part tags and stamps.

    Various part tags and stamps.

    1003515

  • Not sure what this was, but it looks to be part of an antenna assembly.

    Not sure what this was, but it looks to be part of an antenna assembly.

    1003516

  • One of many airfoil vortex generators found at the site. These small fins are mounted to the wings and tail surfaces of the aircraft to help slow the flow of air that could reach supersonic speed and make the plane unstable at high speeds.

    One of many airfoil vortex generators found at the site. These small fins are mounted to the wings and tail surfaces of the aircraft to help slow the flow of air that could reach supersonic speed and make the plane unstable at high speeds.

    1003521

  • This fragment looked like part of a doorway frame.

    This fragment looked like part of a doorway frame.

    1003522

  • Another component fragment with part and serial numbers.

    Another component fragment with part and serial numbers.

    1003523

  • A flight crew helmet communications earphone. Possibly from the lone observer (Col. Ivy) who perished in the crash.

    A flight crew helmet communications earphone. Possibly from the lone observer (Col. Ivy) who perished in the crash.

    1003524

  • A red interior light lens used for either night operations or the "Bail Out" light rests amid burned circuit boards and electrical components.

    A red interior light lens used for either night operations or the "Bail Out" light rests amid burned circuit boards and electrical components.

    1003525

  • Examining the second concentrated burn area on the bluff.

    Examining the second concentrated burn area on the bluff.

    1003527

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