1974 Typhoon Bess WC-130 Swan 38 disappearance

In 1974, a newly converted Lockheed WC-130H (Air Force serial number 65-0965) was transferred to the 54th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, the "Typhoon Chasers", at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. The aircraft, using the call sign Swan 38, was sent to investigate Typhoon Bess after it passed over the Philippines and continued to the northwest.[1] The crew departed Clark Air Base on the island of Luzon in the Philippines.[2]

Swan 38

A Lockheed WC-130H Weatherbird, of the 54th Weather reconnaissance Squadron, in flight over the Pacific Ocean
Disappearance
Date	12 October 1974
Summary	Disappearance
Site	South China Sea
Aircraft
Aircraft type	Lockheed WC-130
Operator	54th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, United States Air Force
Registration	65-0965
Flight origin	Clark Air Base, the Philippines
Passengers	0
Crew	6
Fatalities	6
Injuries	0
Survivors	0

Radio contact with Swan 38 was lost after 22:00 on 12 October 1974, apparently as the aircraft was heading into the typhoon's eye to make a second position fix during its alpha pattern. There were no radio transmissions indicating an emergency on board, and search teams could not locate the aircraft or its crew except for a few pieces of debris. All six crew members were listed as missing and presumed dead. The Swan 38 crew members were: Capt. Edward R. Bushnell, 1st Lt. Gary W. Crass, 1st Lt. Michael P. O'Brien, 1st Lt. Timothy J. Hoffman, Tech. Sgt. Kenneth G. Suhr, and Sgt. Detlef W. Ringler.[2]