Henderson Daily Dispatch

Intense Search For Lost Plane

SEATTLE. A twin-engined transport plane carrying men and last reported flying foul weather was sought Wednesday by the Army, Navy and Coast Guard in the rugged terrain skirting the Cascade Mountains.

The Marine Corps transport plane, an R5C, has been missing since 7:13 p.m. (EST).

The plane was one of six which left San Diego, Calif., at 1:36 (EST) Tuesday on a nonstop flight to transfer a Marine Corps contingent to Seattle.

The flight encountered bad weather in Oregon and southwest Washington. Four landed at Portland. One made safely to the Sand Point Naval Air Station here.

The missing plane last was contacted when the pilot wirelessed the Toledo range station, a few miles south of Chehalis, Wash. and was cleared to communicate next with the powerful Civil Aeronautics Administration station Everett. Wash., said Comdr. D. Duke, Sand Point operation officer.

When it finally became apparent the ship could be listed "missing rather than overdue," the Navy appealed news services and radio stations to ask clues from the public. Duke said the plane had fuel sufficient to keep her in the air some 4 1-2 hours beyond her scheduled arrival time, which was 8:06 p.m. Monday.

The Navy public relations office at San Diego said the missing transport carried a crew of three and 28 privates and a sergeant military policeman as passengers.