Cave Junction Smokejumper Aircraft Accident Fatality 1944

Frederick "Fred" Frank, a co-owner and pilot for S and M Flying Service, operated a Fairchild 71 aircraft for U.S. Forest Service smokejumpers in Cave Junction, Oregon. On August 2, 1944, Frank took off with a load of four smokejumpers when the aircraft's engine died immediately after takeoff. Frank safely landed the aircraft on the remaining runway and performed inspections and maintenance on the aircraft's engine. Later that day, Frank attempted a test flight, solo, in the aircraft. At an altitude of only 300 feet, the plane lost power once again, stalled, and crashed. Fred Frank perished in the accident.

Fixed Wing Incident or Accident, Fatality