Orting, WA: C-118 Crash with UFO Sightings
A U.S. Air Force C-118 crashed near Orting, Washington, after the crew reported hitting an object. Witnesses saw glowing objects near the plane, though likely unrelated to a tree collision.
Background
Incident
On April 1, 1959, an Air Force C-118 with four crew members took off from McChord AFB near Tacoma, Washington on a training flight. About an hour later the pilot radioed that they had hit something or been hit, followed by a mayday signal and the message "That's it". The aircraft crashed between Sumner and Orting, about 5 miles southeast of Sumner, killing all on board.
Witness Accounts
UFO researchers such as Bob Gribble found witnesses in the Sumner area who saw two parachute-like, orange-yellow glowing objects following the falling transport. The C-118's engines were said to have cut out as it passed overhead. No sound was reported from the objects.
Investigation and Explanation
The most probable cause was a collision with a tree. The UFO observations are regarded as unconnected. Reports in newspapers and UFO magazines such as Saucer News discussed the puzzle.