Comments on: Saturday, June 9, 1956: 6 killed as jet hits house

By: Kevin Perrier

Kevin Perrier — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:00:06 +0000

I was six in June 56 when the crash happened and my mother talked about it for years afterward. There was another crash of a Pather Jet on Sept 20 1956 just yards east of 62nd & Cedar Ave in Mother Lake. My father ran to the site of the crash and heard the pilot yelling for help. He was worried about fire but went anyway to get him out of the cockpit. I have an aerial photo of the crash given to my dad by the Navy for his help.

By: Gail Lofdahl

Gail Lofdahl — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 09:55:28 +0000

To Lowell Anderson -
A Captain Frank Fulgham Gill, USN, is buried at the San Francisco National Cemetery, Section NAWS, Site 1896. His DOB is given as 1/14/1907; his DOB is 10/25/1958. (I located it via the DoD National Cemeteries Website.)
I grew up on Elliot Avenue South and 59th Street, also near the airport, and dimly remember my parents talking about this accident.

By: Jerry Ervin

Jerry Ervin — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 03:25:16 +0000

I, too, vividly remember June ‘56 crash. I was 11 years old at the time and lived with my family in the Home neighborhood near the Riverview Theater. My aunt, uncle and three cousins lived in the 4100 block of E. 55th St. I happened to be staying overnight, camping in the backyard with one of my cousins. We had just had breakfast that Saturday morning when there was a large muted explosion and then the sound of many sirens. Our first inkling of a disaster was when it was initially reported over WCCO radio. That was over 50 years ago, but still remembered as though it was yesterday.

By: Don Ward

Don Ward — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:37:13 +0000

I remember both of these crashes well. I also attended the sites. As a Navy Officer and pilot, I file these things deep in my brain, and although they happened over 50 years ago, it is still in my mind. Sad to lose anyone in an air accident, and I am sure both pilots did their very best to avoid hitting anyone on the ground, no doubt increasing their chances of not surviving. The NE accident happened due to two wing tips touching. Over the years, I have lost both Marine and Navy pilot friends due to accidents, and they alway remain with me in thought. RIP.

By: Steve Peasley

Steve Peasley — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:16:06 +0000

“I recall seeing the site of the plane accident at Morris that day, but could not remember the name of the school”. Dwight,Are you thinking of the Morris Park school plain crash?The school is on 56th and 38th ave.? I beleave it was in June of 60.

By: Dwight Nelson

Dwight Nelson — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 19:53:00 +0000

Thanks everyone for the comments and the memories of those plane accidents. Even now, my heart goes out to those families who lost loved ones because of them.

I too grew up in South Minneapolis, although to the West of the airport and was 5 at the time of the accidents. I recall seeing the site of the plane accident at Morris that day, but could not remember the name of the school.

Reading this blog has brought back many memories of growing up near the airport. It has confirmed some and filled in the gaps in others. Anyone else remember when NW had to warm up their engines at 5 in the morning in the winter? Or, the swamps catching on fire in the summer? Or, swimming in “Mothers Lake”? It was just a part of life growing up. No one ever expected though the tragedy that living close to the airport would bring for some. Like someone here said, it seems like there were a lot of plane accidents in the ’50s in Minneapolis. That memory was confirmed here on this blog.

Again, my condolences to those families who lost loved ones in these crashes.

By: Patricia Stevens

Patricia Stevens — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:37:38 +0000

Penny,
I don’t know if you still go to this page. If you do, email me. I will tell you how you can get copies of all the news stories from 6/9/1956 and for the rest of that month too.
pattys45@msn.com

Patricia

By: Penny (Watkins) Anderson

Penny (Watkins) Anderson — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:24:46 +0000

I lived just across the alley from the DeWolfe home. The crash occurred just before my 5th birthday. I wanted to go play with my friends who were on a blanket between the DeWolfe house and the house on the north side, but my mother (Ethel Watkins) said I had to put on my shoes and socks. That’s what I was doing when I heard the explosion. My mother was on the phone and was watching out the kitchen window when the jet crashed. She ran into the living room and grabbed me by the hand and pulled me out the front door. As we crossed the street I turned around and saw a wall of flames behind our house. She brought me to the neighbor’s house across the street and turned to go find my brother, Darrell, who had been in the alley. He came running from the alley, unhurt.

I remember that Debbie DeWolfe was not feeling well that morning, and that was why she was lying on the couch.

Whenever I catch a whiff of burned wood, my memory turns to that day, the smell of the remains of those homes, and the memories of the friends with whom I used to play.

I have clippings from the paper, including some photos, but I think I remember reading comments my mother made to a reporter, and that portion is missing. Does anyone have clippings that include a comment by Ethel Watkins? She passed away in Sept. of 2006. My father, Harold Watkins, is 89, lives in Willmar, and is doing well.

I have really enjoyed hearing about some of the former residents of that special neighborhood!

Penny Anderson

By: James A. Rarick

James A. Rarick — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 00:18:34 +0000

For those who still monitor the postings here I have some solid information:

1. Cmdr. Olson, the pilot who died in the May 30, 1957 crash of two F9F-5s was not beheaded or dismembered. He was not hanging from a tree. What happened is that Cmdr. Olson ejected late from his airplane and there was insufficient time for his parachute to open. He landed on the street, near the curb, in front of 1943 Pierce St. His parachute did catch in the branches overhead. The parachute was taken down to cover his body. Lt. Forsmark (the survivor) watched as Cmdr. Olson disconnected his oxygen, radio, etc., and jettisoned his canopy. Forsmark, on the other hand ejected THROUGH his canopy without disconnecting anyting and survived (although nearly hit by a car on 19th Avenue NE).

2. Stephen Clark did perish in the days following the June 9, 1956, crash and is interred at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

3. The site of the May 30, 1957 crash is not 33rd and Ulysses but was in an area bounded by Filmore St., Pierce St., 19th Avenue NE and 22nd Avenue NE.

In regard to the Morris Park accident, I have no information whatsoever regarding that crash. Could someone please inform as to the date, time, aircraft involved, etc.?

Thank you. jim@mindanaoprinting.com

By: James A. Rarick

James A. Rarick — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 11:28:15 +0000

I wrote a book in 2001, noting all of the Minnesota Military airplane crashes from 1945 to 1960. The June 9, 1956 crash, along with the Memorial Day crash of 1957, receive very detailed chapters. I obtained all of the official records I could locate in writing the book.

I was a witness to the Memorial Day crash. I watched as the formation of F9F planes in echelon formation flew west and two of them collided. I have spoken at length with the surviving pilot. That crash was the impetus for my writing the book. Witnessing that crash had a profound effect on me.

In regard to Captain Gill, he was a popular commander with most of his command, but he seems to have had issues. I would not be surprised if he had problems with alcohol.