STATSM'NT ON TAXT ACCIDENT ON GSKZ AIRSTRIP, ENIWETOK ATOLL, MI.
At approximately 1,00 hours while miing a Rad-Safe survey of the Eniwe tok
Atoll, I directed Lte Sancton to set his aircraft down on the dene airstrip. I
desired to make a ground reading and to mmitor one of the vehicles adjacent to
the strip whereby I could determine the feasibility of an evacuation schedule to
Elmer for these vehicles.
After Lt. Sancton laned on the strip, I informed him
I wished to check the vehicle adjacent to the dispatchers tent. Lt. Saneton then
taxied his craft onto the pad in front of the dispatchers tent. In doing so he
struck the creosoted pole in front of the tent with the tip of his rotor blades.
Following this he radioed for another craft, secured his own aircraft, and
collected the pieces of rotor blade kmocked off in striking the pole, Upon
arrival of the second craft, w were all evaciated to Elmer. Mambers of my mit
accompanying me were let Lt. FP. N. Peters acl SP 3 W. H. Trachsel whose state-
ments are attached,
WALTSR W. FADE
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Major
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