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. When high winds prevented safe jumping operations, 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. The pilot and three of the Smokejumpers were injured. A rescue plane was sent from Missoula to render first aid to them and fly them back to Missoula. None of the four were seriously injured.

Fixed Wing Incident or Accident, Aviation