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C-78 (42-58475) 1/31/1944 Western NC - info request Wreckchasing in the Southeastern U.S.
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5 posts err 5 posts
err
I'm looking for information on the C-78 (42-58475) that went down in Western North Carolina on 1/31/44. I have read Associated Press articles dated Sept 7 1946, Sept 10, 1946 & Sept 11 1946 stating the wreckage had been found. I have also read an article from Maryville Times dated Jan 23 1947 making reference that the C-78 is still missing. According to aviation reports that I have found, the plane is still listed as missing. I have exhausted google search, have requested accident/other reports, and have just ordered the book - Aircraft Crashes In The Smky Mtns N.P. 1920-2000 - by Jeff Wadley / Dwight McCarter.
Some questions I have:
1. Is the plane still missing?
2. If so, what plane crashed / found in 1946 prompted the press to think the C -78 had been found? And was a retraction ever ran in the papers explaining the error?
3. What other planes went down in the general area?
4. And if the crash site has been found, when? Any details?
Any help, information, or advice would be appreciated.
please feel free to email me also.
--ERR
Alan 5 posts
Alan
Jr, try coordinates GE Military Grid reference System 17SKV6220451023, This debris is near Wears Valley. I found it about years ago on GE. It is about 1400 feet from the road , but very much up hill.  png
Alan Hiatt
Alan 5 posts
Alan
Jr. try coordinates 17SKV62290451023, elevation 2606ft. Vert close to Wears Valley. My email is hiatthouse@bellsouth.net . png jpeg png jpeg
Alan Hiatt
MeghanF 1 post
MeghanF
I am the Great Great Niece by marriage to LT. Thomas B. Wheeler. I am currently going through all of the information I have from the White House, War Department, letters between the families of the STILL missing 4 on board. I have a lot of information regarding the crash, places searched. Even Letters from the Wiley Oakley who was brought in to help locate the plane. That crashed on January 31, 1944 at 9:42. No remains have ever been found. His wife Mary B Wheeler continued her search until she died. Along with Dr. Carleton D. Haigis' wife. This has been a family mystery for some time. I was recently gifted all of the documents in search of seeing if there is a possibility or new technologies to locate this plane, and bring our family closure. I do know that He was directly involved with the Manhattan project, and Dr. Haigis (civilian) were working in the "secret city" Oak Ridge. If anyone could point me in a new direction that would be wonderful. As Google has erased anything to do with Dr. Haigis. There are many letter conveying that they believed the military was withholding information. I attaching a few images. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Have a great day!
 
Meghan Frondorf
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ChrisBaird 1,110 posts
ChrisBaird
Like JR said it appears the last search was in early 1947.
There isn't any mention of it after that in newspapers.
Sounds like their final search area was in the Campbell Creek area (and Polls Gap) near Sylva or Waynesville.
Several witnesses had heard a low flying aircraft during that snow storm in that area. So he was probably scud running through that valley.
There is another mention of Doggett Gap but I don't know if they searched there (it is on a more direct flight path from Charlotte).
Amazing that it has never been found by hunters or hikers.
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