OXCART PILOT EMERGENCY PACKET, LOSS OF DURING 24 MAY CRASH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP63-00313A000500080051-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 8, 2002
• Sequence Number: 51
• Publication Date: May 29, 1963
• Content Type: MF

TOP SECRET
Approved For Release 2002/06/10 : CIA-RDP63-00313A000500080051-3
25X1A
2758-63
opy_6 of/_
29 May 1863
25X1A
25X1A
25X1A
25X1A
25X1A
MEMDRANDUM FOR: Director of Security
SUBJECT : OXCART Pilot Emergency Packet, Loss of
during 24 May Crash
initiated a thorough review of how the Subject Kit
handled during the 24 May flight
1. In accordance with your instructions of 27 May,
the undersigned, on the same date accelerated an investi-
gation to determine the established for control-
ling the Subject Packet, and through 25X1 A
xplanatory) and $1,000.30 in United States currency. During
2. During the 24 May flight, the pilot, 25X1 A
had in his possession Packet #3 which he had o ,a :ne
approximately one hour prior to take off from the Personal
Equipment Sergeant assigned to the Operations Office at
in accordance with standard operating
procedures, signed a receipt for the Packet. The Packet
contained two letters (Attachment #2 and #3 which are self-
pro-fight briefing, the pilot was briefed in accordance
with the "Pilot Instructions Briefing." (Attachment ##1)
3. On 27 May 1963 interviewed the Personal
Equipment Sear a*ant who verified a fact that he issued
packet #3 tal one hour prior to take off on
24 May. was briefed on the contents and the
necessity for safeguarding Same.
4 Le. er on 27 May personally interviewed
F_ I The latter stated that he did, in fact, have
the Packet in his possession when he took off. During his
flight the Packet was placed in the lower right leg pocket
of his flight suit. A N map was placed in the same pocket.
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or where he lost the Pao
The pocket was unzippered. This is an easily accessible
pocket for a pilot while he is in a sitting position in
a small cockpit area. (This method of carrying the Packet
has since been changed and a now secure pocket has been
added to the pilots flight suits.)
5. was violently ejected from the OXCART
aircraft at 25,00 feet while the aircraft was in an upside-
down position. Between the time he ejected from the air-
craft and reached the gr ilot lost both the Packet
and JN map. He advised that he had no idea when
25X1 A 3. advised the undersigned that a thorough
search for the Emergency Kit by low flying aircraft, auto-
mobile and foot patrol had been conducted for nine hours in
25X1 A the vicin crash sight on 26 May with negative
results. to of the opinion that the possibility
of the Packet ng found in the very rugged terrain of
the crash sight is practically nil.
7. In view of the significance of the Packet, however,
additional steps were initiated. On 27 May a "scientific,"
approach to the search problem was researched
The Packet was simulated in size and weight and hurled n
the air to determine the type of fall. Wind directions in
the crash area at the time of bail out were investigated
by the Area Weather Officer. Wind plots for the bail out
and crash area were determined in conjunction with Air
Weather Service.
25X1A
8. On the morning of 28 May 25X1A
Deputy Security Officer and a team of five 25X1A
selected Security Guards were ap tched to the crash scene
and bail out area by C-47 aircraft to continue the search
for the Packet. Every effort is being taken to avoid
attracting attention to the crash scene which would well
arouse additional local speculation and possibly a con-
certed effort on the part of local individuals to locate
whatever we were searching for.
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9. On 29 May the undersigned was advised byl
25X1A that the renewed search conducted on 28 re ul In
failure to locate the Packet.
and his tear
of guards conducted a minute "are of the area; this team
=:~:== W*
attempted to pinpoint the precise location in accordance
with the best scien ific data available to them. The team
25X1 A returned on the night of 28 May. Prior to
departing from Wendover, the local State Police who have
jurisdiction over the crash area were requested to imme-
diately contact General Hubbard, Commanding General, Nellie
Air Force Base, If the Packet or any other significant
materials were turned in to them.
10. No additional action in this case in anticipated
at this time.
25X1A
Attachments, as stated
25X1A OsA/SS: nmpr
Distribution:
Orig - Copy 1 - Addressee
2 - Addressee
3 - Ss/OSA
4 - RB/OSA
Approved For
I
O ? , Security Staff
OSA
 Approved For Release 2002/06/10: CIA-RDP63-00313A00050 OJI09-63
Copy= of
OF AIR ACTIVITIES, WEEK ENDING 2$ MAY 1963
RECAPITULATION
__~wtrT.fT
)ROJECT VEHICLE
[DEALIST/
PACKLE 28 May
China Mainland Special Group
4 Missions U-2 June
Special Group 4 Apr
1 Mission U-2 May or North Korea
? June
As Necessary U-2
Special Group 3 May
April/ Laos/North
May Vietnam
Mid-East U-2 Middle East
Co,, ingency
Pla~
Weather continues to
photo-
for any
graphy.
Mission GRC 152'completed 28
May 63. This mission included
targets in Manchuria.
The Special Group originally
approved 3 missions in this
area on 4 April. On 3 May the
Group approved additional
d erred necessary for
a
missions
All require-
adequate coverage.
ments have been accomplished
except the Hanoi Basin area of
North Vietnam. This area will
be accomplished by the detach-
ment at Taiwan.
p"elimin ar negotiations with
are presentl in
progress.
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APPROVED.
PROJECT VEHICLE
DATE
TARGET COUNTRY
BY
DATE
ACTION
ission flown 22 May
Thi
63.
P2V-7
May
China Mainland
Special Group
2 Nov
s m
Route entered the Mainland
50 miles southwest of Swatow
and proceeded inland for 345
miles and then exitedFX~p
approximately 35 miles 'Y'~
west of Swaton. No unusual
sightings or AAA activity were
ted.
25X1A
CC/OD/CC
ec ronic activity was
heavy and the mission was
considered very successful.
rh (29 May 63)
Distribution:
DCI
cc:
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ER #1
#2
DD/R
#3
DD/P
#4
DD/I
#5
- DCI
- ER
- DD/R
- DD/P
- DD/I
#10 - INTEL/OSA
#11 - CC/OD/OSA
#12 - DDP/SGO
#13 - D/FA/OSA
#14 - RB/OSA
SA/DDR
DDP/SGO #6
- AD/OSA
#15
25X1A
7
DAD/OSA
I
#
#8
-
- C/OD/OSA
#9
- SA/DDR
P ".;.c
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