McChord - Lawton

On May 24, 1961 at 02:22 AM, McChord - Lawton experienced a crash involving Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, operated by United States Air Force - USAF, with the event recorded near McChord AFB Washington.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

22 people were known to be on board, 18 fatalities were recorded, 4 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 81.8%.

Crew on board: 6, crew fatalities: 6, passengers on board: 16, passenger fatalities: 12, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The four engine aircraft christened 'Old Shakey' was involved in a flight from McChord AFB to Lawton, Oklahoma, carrying a truck, several jeeps, two trailers and soldiers from Fort Sill who had been taking part in Exercise Lava Plains at the Yakima Firing Center. After a night takeoff, while climbing to a height of 500 feet, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames in a wooded area located two miles south of the airport. 18 people were killed while four others were injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed. Crew: Cpt Warren J. Fair, pilot, † Cpt Alvin W. Hill, copilot, † Sgt Robert Wayne Cummins, † M/Sgt Arnold R. Neldens, † M/Sgt Raymond E. Overby, † S/Sgt Ernest T. Landrum, A2c James M. Smallwood. † Passengers: Pvt James Aldrich, M/Sgt Llewellyn Morris Chilson, P1c Jimmie R. Hunter, P1c C. L. Buchanan, † P1c T. E. Pulliam, † P1c D. F. Radcliff, † P1c D. J. Smith, † P1c O. M. Wellings, † P1c David Hoskins, † P1c R. R. Kubik, † S4c W. M. Gordon, † S4c W. T. Kelly, † S4c Joseph Lee, † Sgt A. G. Neria, † Sgt Lawrence Harrison. †

Aircraft reference details include registration 51-0174, MSN 43508.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 47.1310°, -122.5027°.