ORE. TANKER CRASH KILLS 12.

Klamath Falls, Ore. -- A four-engine air tanker ferrying Butler Aircraft personnel to a party for tanker crews crashed and burned Friday night, killing all 12 aboard.
The DC-7 hit a 6,500-foot peak, exploded into a ball of flames seen by lumber workers in the area, spread wreckage over a wide area and set off a five-acre fire.
There were no survivors. U. S. Forest Service crews removed the bodies Saturday and federal investigators sought to determine the cause of the crash.
The plane had dropped fire retardant on a blaze near Roseburg and returned to its home base in Redmond after its release from forest service duty. It took off to pick up other Butler personnel at Klamath Falls and was headed toward Medford when it crashed.
The employees were en route to join 150 people at the annual tanker crews party at the Medford-Jackson County Airport.
The dozen pilots, mechanics and ground crewmen aboard the plane comprised about half of Butler Aircraft's employes. The company owns four DC-7s, all based in Redmond.
The pilot was JOHN DAVIS and co-pilot JOHN TURNER. Others reportedly aboard were ANDY ANDERSON, ARMIN WIHLON, BERNIE ZYLEWITZ, ED REED, LADDIE LASH, VICTOR MORTON, CRAIG WATTS, RICH ARNETT, DON BAXTER and JOHN WRIGHT, all of Redmond.

Pacific Stars and Stripes Tokyo Japan 1979-07-13

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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!