I recently stumbled upon this link, which talks of a Douglas B-18A Bolo that crashed on Mount Constance in September of 1941: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=76515
The description reads: "Crashed on summit of Mt Constance in the Olympic Mountains. Pilot Edward H. Valorz." There are photos of some debris that is apparently located at the "SW end of N Tunnel Creek Canyon" on the SE slopes of Constance.
I was aware of the crash that occurred up there in 1975, but I'd never heard of this one. Does anyone have any additional information?
I have a book that describes this crash in detail and shows modern pictures of the crash site. One person I have discussed this crash with is Aviation Archeologist, Cye Laramie. Much of the wreckage is still up on Constance because it is a remote, steep, rocky slope that is covered by snow most of the year. I'll dig my book out if you are further interested in crash site details.
The crash of the B-18 Bolo happened September 1941. The plane was flying a night-time training mission with the intent to land back at it's home base, McChord. Somehow navigational instructions were mistaken and the plane over-shot the Tacoma/Seattle area, leading the crew of the B-18 into Mount Constance. A military search effort went into affect for several weeks after the crash. Finally, after some time a military search aircraft spotted the wreckage on Mt. Constance and reported it. Soon after the U.S. Forest Service got involved with reaching the crash site by foot, via nearby Quilcene.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate NWHikers.net earns from qualifying purchases when you use our link(s).