Toll In Air Tragedy Confirmed At Four
Arizona Daily Star, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 1967By KEN BURTON
Weary, mud-stained firemen left the Cactus Shopping Center yesterday, convinced that no more than four persons died in Monday's tragic holocaust.
Authorities said that the high death toll estimates of 15 persons made late Monday night was caused by difficulty in removing the dead and a conflict in reports.
Investigators said their estimate of the damages totaled $202,050 — excluding the $2 million-plus pricetag of the U.S. Air Force F4D jet fighter that caused the fire. The fire department's estimate included a $200,000 loss to Food Giant No. 10, which was demolished, plus a $77,000 loss to the store's inventory.
Also added to the tally were the homes of Sgt. Paul Porto, at ---- S. Winstel Blvd., and James Tilton, ---- S. Winstel. Both houses were destroyed and damage was set at $10,000 each, plus $2,500 for each home's contents. Another $1,050 was listed as damage to the Gun Slot, a hobby store, the Rasco variety store and a home at ---- S. Winstel. The Gun Slot and Resco were on either side of the Food Giant.
Davis-Monthan's legal office yesterday began round-the-clock operations to process claims arising from the crash and had set up an emergency advance system for hardship cases. Capt. Ellis Franklin, unshaven and drawn after staying at the crash site for more than 20 straight hours, said he had based his casualty estimate on reports from witnesses. The Dead were identified as Sherry Tilton, 19, of ---- Winstel Blvd., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Tilton; Mrs. Robin Bush, 34, of --- E. Bromley St., wife of Glenn Bush; Mrs. Victoria Steffania Palmer, 55, of ---- Monthan Strav., wife of James Oliver Palmer; and Mrs. Crystal Siemund of Empirita Ranch near Benson, wife of Raymond Siemund. The fire erupted when a U.S. Air Force F4D jet fighter, loaded with more than 16,000 pounds of JP-4 aviation gasoline, crashed after takeoff from Davis-Monthan AFB. The plane, originally stationed at Nellis AFB, Nev., ripped into the rear of the Food Giant store and sent fireballs into the grocery and the nearby homes.
Firemen said the exact time of the crash was fixed at 5:44 p.m., by an electric clock, stopped at a Burger Chef stand not far from the mishap.
Besides gutting a store and two homes, the plane severed two natural gas lines and set the escaping fumes afire and also sheared an eight-inch water main. The water loss caused some drop in pressure, firemen said.
Some 120 off-duty firemen reported in after three alarms had been sounded, and 60 were shuttled to the shopping center to bolster the department's strength. Davis-Monthan also sent in men and equipment.
Franklin said his department had granted permission late yesterday to restore electricity to the six remaining businesses in the Center. They expect to re-open soon. Some confusion resulted when persons thought to have been shopping in the Food Giant later reached home safely, but didn't notify authorities — not knowing they had been reported missing.
Franklin praised Civil Defense volunteers and Air Force firemen, who worked hand-in-hand with city firemen in the long mopping-up operation.
Dotted line indicates a probable flight path of the F4D jet off the main runway at Davis-Monthan AFB to the point where it crashed at the Cactus Shopping Center on South Alvernon way.
An engine from a shattered F4D jet fighter-bomber and other debris wound up in this play yard last night after the jet crashed on takeoff from Davis-Monthan AFB