TRAGIC ACCIDENT OF TWO WORLD WAR II HELLCAT FIGHTER PLANES IN MT BALDY | 4K

These are the remains of the two Hellcat Fighter Planes that crashed at the upper slope of Mt Baldy in March 2, 1949. The fliers were Sergeant Charles D. Castles of Starkville, Mississippi and Sergeant John J. Harrington of Carthage, South Dakota. Both pilots were 28 years old. They were conducting a flight instrument training and formation exercise out of USMC Air Station, El Toro at around 9:00AM. The weather was bad due to snowstorm. Their aircraft carried 3.5 hours of fuel. But by 7:10PM, both planes were reported missing. Marines and Forest Service rangers located the crash site four days after and were able to bring down the bodies in another couple of days.
The USMC Grumman F6F-5 Hellcats were used from 1943 and a big factor in winning the war in the Pacific Theatre. It was the aircraft that beat Japan's Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter planes.

[@gordonchase5150]

Another great adventure. I really enjoy hikes that clue us in on a little bit of history. Thanks for sharing.

[@20robertang]

Thanks, Gordon! A hike with something like this to me is more enjoyable.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks for bringing us along to the crash site and telling us the history! I need to go see this one sometime.

[@20robertang]

You’re welcome! A great day hike to explore, not hard to find actually.

[@hikeclimbsail]

Thank you so much! I never knew there was a military crash site on Mt. Baldy. I will have to check it out. Great video. ❤️👍❤

[@20robertang]

You’re welcome. And thanks as well for watching! 👍

[@redwhiteblue7831]

Great video... Interesting history there. Couldn't imagine how it took place, or what was going through their minds as it happened. Thank you for sharing. Take care Robert. 🇺🇲

[@20robertang]

Part of history and at the same time, mystery surrounding Mt Baldy. Thanks, Jason! 👍 Tagay!

[@davidfeiler1279]

Nice video Robert! I always wondered how that plane crash occurred and what it looks like and now I know. Thanks and tagay!

[@20robertang]

Same here. It took me so long to explore this wreckage. Thanks, David! Tagay!

[@rmarvinmd26]

Been searching for vids of Angeles hikes and have found yours and your friends videos. I really appreciate them as my wife and I have just started backpacking. We are going on our 2nd trip to valley forge camp soon! Salamat kuya!

[@20robertang]

That’s great! There’s so many day hikes in San Gabriel, also trail camps or campgrounds. Btw, I think Valley Forge camp is still listed as closed for now due to Bobcat Fire of 2020. Try to check out the FS website. There’s a list of campgrounds there too. www.fs.usda.gov/angeles

[@rmarvinmd26]

Thanks! I checked before we went the first time. Valley Forge, West Fork, and Devore are all open just not being serviced with the road closed.

[@jimerhard4239]

Bummer. One peaceful wedsday afternoon you're flying your hellcat, minding your own business, then suddenly , out of the blue SKADOOSH ! You nail some other dude doing the same thing... That had to suck. Great video Robert. Tagay!!

[@20robertang]

Thanks, Jim. Most accident in our mountains or anywhere usually happened during bad weather. Very unfortunate. Some survived, most of them didn’t just like this one. Tagay!