They all survived
The ride of your life isn’t a roller coaster
Dragon Bomber crash site
Be prepared: This will take a 10-mile round trip. But for history and especially aviation enthusiasts, the walk is worth it to see the remains of a rare B-23 that crashed south of Loon Lake on Jan. 29, 1943.
The story goes that the B-23 ‘Dragon Bomber” with eight men was returning to McChord Field in Tacoma, Wash., following a training missing in Nevada when it flew into a heavy snowstorm near Pendleton, Ore.
Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot decided to attempt a landing in Boise. The approach was hampered by heavy icing and a failed radio. An order to prepare to parachute was given at 13,000’. Just then a hole developed in the cloud cover. A frozen lake was spotted and a landing was attempted. Frozen flaps caused the first approach to be abandoned. In a successful second approach, the plane touched down on the frozen lake, sliding across the ice and through the trees. With both wings sheared off, the plane came to rest 150 feet from the shore of Loon Lake in the timber.
All eight men survived. A broken kneecap was the only injury.
Five days later, three crewmen trekked out for help; they hiked 14 days and approximately 42 miles through waist-deep snow, reaching the Lake Fork Guard Station where they phoned the McCall operator. On Feb. 18, a bush pilot spotted the wreckage and made several trips to rescue all eight men.
The B-23, “Dragon Bomber,” a 1939 twin-engine aircraft, was developed from the Douglas B-18 and the DC-3. It never saw combat use. B-23’s were used instead for training purposes.
go there:
From McCall, go north 36 miles on the Warren Wagon Road (Forest Road 21) then 1 mile south on Forest Road 378 to Chinook Campground. From Chinook Campground take trail no. 080 that follows the Secesh River south towards Loon Creek. Just above Loon Creek take trail no. 084 west. Trail no. 084 becomes rocky and steep with many switch-backs, rising 800 feet in elevation in 1.3 miles. Trail no. 084 intersects with trail no. 081. Continue south along no. 081 to the junction of trail no. 084. Head west again on no. 084. This trail runs 1.75 miles south along the west side of Loon Lake. Where the trail meets Loon Creek, leave the trail to follow the creek north to Loon Lake.
The wreckage is on the south side of Loon Lake, approximately 150 feet into the trees.
You can return the way you came or you may follow trail no. 081 back north to Chinook Campground. The Secesh River may be high during late spring or early summer, so use caution when crossing.
Information about the site is available through the Payette National Forest: (http://www.fs.usda.gov/payette/), (208) 634-0700. A PNF brochure, The B-23 “Dragon Bomber” Crash Site and Wreck, is also available.
Don’t forget:
Anything. Stop here for supplies before your remote trip.
