SBD-3 BuNo 06630 crash in Southeastern Arizona on September 10 1942

September 10, 1942, Ensign James F. Eakins Jr, took off on a ferry flight from Davis-Monthan Army Air Field to Biggs Field, El Paso. Eakins and a group of planes were ultimately flying to Norfolk, Virginia.

Overcast conditions were encountered over eastern Cochise County. Eakins became separated from the flight of planes and was last seen banking to the south. The other pilots attempted to contact Eakins, but were unsuccessful since the storms in the area created heavy static on the radio.

With Eakins missing, a search party went to work. For almost two weeks, there was no trace of Eakins. Finally, on September 22, 1942, Curtis C. Cooper of El Coronado Ranch in Turkey Creek, located wreckage near Apache Pass.

Landing gear and possible firewall. Photo from my personal collection.

Panel or radio from the SBD.

Hillside with scattered debris. Photo taken in during site visit in 1989.

This part still retains some of the original paint.

Portion of a wing or possibly the fuselage.

Scattered debris from the Douglas Dauntless.