Bozeman, MT Plane Crash, Jan 1938

10 BODIES TAKEN FROM PLANE WRECK

Big Liner Crashes North of Bozeman In Blinding Snow

First Time In 11 Years Northwest Airlines Has Lost Life of Passenger; Bodies Battered Beyond Recognition.

By William Hanlon
United Press Staff

BOZEMAN, Mont., Jan. 11. -- (UP) – Federal postal inspectors and officials of Northwest Airlines today released the bodies of 10 victims of a plane crash in Bridger canyon, 15 miles northeast of here, to Coroner HOWARD NELSON for removal to Bozeman.

The plane dived into a clearing last night in a blinding snowstorm, killing all its occupants.

NELSON said he expected it would take him and his deputies at least all day to bring the bodies out because of the drifting of deep snow, much of which fell during the night.

IDENTIFIES PILOTS
NELSON said he identified the bodies of two of the victims as Pilot NICK MAMER and Co-pilot FRED WEST, both of Seattle. The other bodies were so badly maimed and burned that identification was difficult, he said.

NELSON said an inquest probably will be held in Bozeman tonight after the bodies are brought down.

Sleds were waiting to haul the burned and broken bodies the three and one-half miles to the AFRED NICKLES ranch, from where they were to be driven to the Dowkken mortuary here.

In a level clearing of the forest, beyond the rugged, 10,000-foot peaks of Bridger mountains, the eastbound plane struck nose first with an impact that drove the fuselage into the motors and scattered its fragments in all directions. Instantly, the big Lockheed-Zephyr liner exploded.

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