Rivet Amber crash

Rivet Amber, an RC-135E, 62-4137, operating out of Shemya AFB, went down in the Bering Sea on 5 June, 1969. Despite a thorough search of the area, no wreckage and no survivors were ever found. The best theory is that the plane suffered some sort of catastrophic mechanical failure, as the last radio contact from the aircraft mentioned "vibration in flight". Rivet Amber was returning to Eielson AFB for maintenance with a crew of 19 onboard.

Last Radio Transmission

The last radio contact with Rivet Amber began about 45 minutes after takeoff at 0936 Local/1736 Zulu. Rivet Amber was under the call-sign Irene 92.

1736 Zulu

Rivet Amber:"Elmendorf Airways, Elmendorf Airways, Irene 92, Irene 92, over."

Elmendorf AFB:"Irene 92, Elmendorf, Go Ahead."

RA:"Elmendorf Airways, Irene 92 experiencing vibration In flight. Not certain of the Emergency. We have the aircraft under control, Irene 92."

1737 Zulu

EAFB"This is Elmendorf. You say you're not declaring an Emergency. Is that Charlie ?"

RA:(Keying-Xmtr, followed by heavy breathing)

RA:"Roger...Ahh..." (Keying-Xmtr) ... "Ahh..." ( Keying-Xmtr, then silence ) ....

RA:"Crew Go To Oxygen".

EAFB:"This is Elmendorf. Say again ? Irene 92, Elmendorf ?"

RA:(Keying-Xmtr)

EAFB:"Irene 92, Elmendorf ?"

1738 Zulu

RA:(Keying-Xmtr)

1739 Zulu

EAFB:"Irene 92, Irene 92, Elmendorf, Elmendorf"

RA:(Keying-Xmtr)

RA:(Keying-Xmtr)

RA:(Keying-Xmtr)

Unidentified key clicks (Keying-Xmtr) continued until 1822 Zulu. No further positive contact with Rivet Amber was made after 1737 Zulu.

Post Incident

Unable to make contact with Rivet Amber, Col. Leslie W. Brockwell, commander of the 6th Strategic Wing, initiated a search and rescue. Both planes and Coast Guard searched the waters from Shemya to the Alaska mainland. For 2 weeks, the water was patrolled for any sign of the plane or survivors, but nothing was ever found. The entire crew was presumed lost at sea.

List of Crew

*Lt Col Charles B. Michaud, Aircraft Commander
*Maj Peter S. Carpenter, Co-pilot
*Maj Richard N. Martel, Navigator
*Maj Horace G. Beasley, Raven (Electronic Warfare Officer)
*Maj Rudolph J. Meissner, Raven
*Capt James F. Ray, Raven
*Capt Michael E. Mills, Navigator
*MSgt Herbert C. Gregory, In-flight Maintenance Tech
*TSgt Donald F. Wonders, In-flight Maintenance Tech
*TSgt Hervey Hebert, Aircraft Maintenance
*TSgt Charles F. Dreher, Aircraft Maintenance
*TSgt Eugene L. Benevides, Security Service
*SSgt Robert W. Fox, In-flight Maintenance Tech
*SSgt Lester J. Schatz, In-flight Maintenance Tech
*SSgt Roy L. Lindsey, Security Service
*SSgt Richard J. Steen Jr., Security Service
*Sgt Douglas Arcano, Security Service
*Sgt Sherman E. Consolver Jr., Security Service
*Sgt Lucian A. Rominiecki, Security Service

References

* [http://www.RC135.com "A Tale of Two Airplanes"] by Ltc. Kingdon R. Hawes
* [http://www.check-six.com/lib/Famous_Missing/RivetAmber.htm Check-Six.com - Missing Aircraft - 'Rivet Amber']