Spotted Bear Smokejumper Aircraft Accident 1953

On August 17, 1953, a Ford Trimotor aircraft with eight aboard crashed near the Spotted Bear airstrip in Northwest Montana, injuring four. The aircraft was loaded with six smokejumpers dispatched from Missoula to jump fires on the Flathead National Forest. High winds prevented safe jumping operations and the plane had landed at Spotted Bear airstrip. On taking off to return to Missoula, the plane lost power in the left engine and went down. A rescue plane was sent from Missoula to render first aid and return with the injured men. None of the four, who comprised the pilot and three smokejumpers, were seriously injured.

Fixed Wing Incident or Accident, Aviation