https://www.intermountainhistories.org/items/show/211
When a 1955 storm blanketed the Wasatch Mountains in eighteen fresh inches of snow, a U.S. Air Force pilot lost control of his B-25 and crashed into eastern flank of Mount Timpanogos. Although search parties were sent, no survivors were found. Decades later, remnants of the aircraft can still be seen by hikers.
On March 9, 1955, a World War II-era B-25 bomber took off in Great Falls, Montana, refueled at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, and attempted to cross the Wasatch Mountains as it made its way towards a base in Riverside, California. In snowy conditions blanketing the area, an unknown series of events led to the plane crashing around 7:30 p.m. Although the wreckage was found the following day, avalanche threats prevented an immediate rescue. Local hikers were the first to reach the crash site, where they discovered scattered body parts and the bomber’s deceased pilot, who was “fastened into his seat . . . apparently in an upright position, but was decapitated.”
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://sohp.us/collections/ufos-a-history/pdf/GROSS-1955-Jan-Jun-SN.pdf
9 March. Sensational rumors and a couple of odd coincidences. On page 33 ofthe monograph UFOs: A History 1955 January-June there is the sensational claim of Mr. Eugene Metcalf of Paris, Illinois, about seeing a big UFO scooping up a jet aircraft and carrying it off This was supposed have taken place in the air over his home on March 9, 195 5. Metcalf was a janitor at the local hospital at the time who “sighted UFOs on more than 38 one occasion.” A letter, written by Metcalf, is in the files ofCoral Lorenzen’s UFO organization, APRO. It seems there had been a 1968 inquiry ofMetcalfs claim by a Mr. “Raynes” and Metcalf responded. Metcalf had little new to say, which may, or may not, help his credibility. In any case, here is Metcalfs story, the 1968 version: “This observation was made March 9, 1955, just after sun down. The visibility was very good as the weather was clear and no haze [one might check the weather records for that day]. The size of the object was approximately the size of a large grapefruit held at arms length and a silver color. “Thru an opening that appeared on the plane side it swallowed the plane. It only lasted a matter of seconds. “I was living two miles east of Redmond and 7 miles northwest ofParis, Illinois, at the time [He prefers to give Paris as his address]. My wife and youngest son saw the UFO after it had taken the plane [Mr. “Raynes” should have contacted those two also]. I was in the yard by myselfthe instant ofthe plane napping. “I made every effort I could to fmd out if anyone else had seen the same as I, but with no success.” ( xx.) (xx.) Letter: To: Mr. Raynes. From: Eugene Metcalf, (no street number given) Paris, Illinios. Date: 24 November 68. “U.S.A. Redmond, Illinois 55-3-9.” APRO files. Photocopy in author’s files. Metcalf had approached_ UFO researcher Leonard Stringfield years before Mr. “Raynes” had made an inquiry. Here is some notes found in NICAP files: “Preliminary data on “Metcalf.’ Verbally from LS 8/26/56 “Sighting March 9, 1955, by Eugene Metcalf, about 30, farmer in Paris, Illinois [He may have a small farm and also worked as a janitor. It would explain why he lived two miles from town]. “Metcalf got in touch with Len. Len asked a Mr. Fitch, of Cleveland, to investigate Metcalf. Felt Metcalf was sincere, believed he saw exactly what he claims to have seen. Fitch is reliable and intelligent [Fitch investigated a number ofUFO cases]. “The UFO was ‘pretty big’ in comparison to the bomber. There was a plane alledgedly missing at the same time; no details, confirmation. Should be a clipping on the missing aircraft; check St. Louis papers about March 9-10.
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