Photo by Photo Submitted
MISSING CAPTAIN – Capt. Franklin Gregory died in the crash while travelling home to see his ailing father. He’s seen with his wife, who was not aboard the aircraft.
Photo by Photo Submitted
GHOST PLANE – The American military Douglas C-54 Skymaster aircraft 2469 took off from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage on Jan. 26, 1950, carrying 44 people. It then disappeared over Snag on its way south to Great Falls, Montana. It has never been found.
Photo by Photo Submitted
CRASHED SEARCH PLANE – Shown above is a C-47 that went down near Haines Junction during the search for the C-54 Skymaster in January 1950.
Documentary to air on CBC television
Yukoners will get a chance to see Skymaster Down on Sunday evening, amidst hope that one day, remains of the missing Second World War-era plane will be found.
Yukoners will get a chance to see Skymaster Down on Sunday evening, amidst hope that one day, remains of the missing Second World War-era plane will be found.
Former Yukoner Andrew Gregg released the documentary in 2022.
The goal was telling the story of the U.S. military plane, its 44 passengers and a handful of Yukoners’ dedicated search for it since it vanished in January 1950 somewhere near Snag, Yukon.
CBC television will air the 89-minute film at 8 p.m. ET Sunday. It’s the first time the film will be on the CBC’s main network.
“It’s sad, but some of the most dedicated searchers for the Skymaster are no longer with us, and they passed on with the mystery still unsolved,” Gregg told the Star this week.
“Gerry Whitley and Donna Clayson (both of Whitehorse) are both gone now.
“They appeared in our film and were among the first to bring the Skymaster story back into the light.”
Climate change is forcing the ice in Alaska and the Yukon ranges to give up some of its secrets.
Over the past few years, two big planes have been found melting out of glaciers in Alaska.
“Chances are that the (Yukon crash site) is on a glacier, possibly the Kaskawulsh,” Gregg said. “But more people are looking now, and more of us are hopeful for closure.”
In Whitehorse, a group of historians, aviators and search-and-rescue experts have formed the Skymaster 2469 Can/Am Society to solve the mystery of the missing plane.
Full details about the film are online at https://www.redtrilliumfilms.com/skymasterdownhomepage
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Comments (6)
Up 2 Down 0
Springfield Harrison on Mar 6, 2024 at 7:23 pm
The Skymaster 2469 CAN/AM Society has been formed to plan and conduct a search this coming summer. Two members of the executive were interviewed recently on CBC Radio Yukon, https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-393-yukon-morning/clip/16046701-a-renew-search-works-solve-decades-old-mystery-american.
A generous supporter is contributing his aircraft for the search but considerable funding is needed for fuel and other support costs. A Go Fund Me donation webpage has been established: https://gofund.me/cc0095d0
There is much more background information available there - any and all donations are very much appreciated.
Up 16 Down 1
Bruce Bark on Feb 27, 2024 at 4:00 pm
@Wop May
Wop May was a distinguished WW1 pilot who has the esteemed honor of being the first pilot used for surveillance in an RCMP manhunt. He was largely responsible for the take-down of Albert Johnson the "mad trapper of Rat River", possibly saving a few RCMP members lives. That manhunt took place in February 1932. ( I think). I'm sure Wop May landed on many frozen lakes and rivers during the hunt as it was the only place available. Highly unlikely that any lakes during a Yukon February in the 1950's had thin ice that a large plane like the Skymaster would have plunged through with-out leaving a huge debris pile. I think your theory is slightly flawed. Not very respectable of you to use his name to hide your identity.
Up 17 Down 2
Groucho d'North on Feb 27, 2024 at 12:03 pm
I watched the program Sunday evening and I was impressed by the quality of production and the level of research that went into it. Good job Mr. Gregg! I hope more sharing of this story will lead to the recovery of Skymaster 2469 so the many families involved can find some closure to this tragic event.
Up 10 Down 12
Wop May on Feb 26, 2024 at 4:09 am
My off the wall theory is that the pilot lost power, was attempting to land on what he/she thought was a field or meadow but was actually a lake covered with thin ice. High tech may be required to find the Skymaster crew.
Up 5 Down 1
YXY on Feb 24, 2024 at 8:50 pm
People should watch this, it’s really good. You can watch it on CBC gem as well.
Up 10 Down 2
YXY on Feb 24, 2024 at 8:50 pm
People should watch this, it’s really good. You can watch it on CBC gem as well.