Day/date: December 14, 1987



                                 FIELD INCIDENT REPORT

Incident type: Military Aircraft Crash
Log number: 87-272
Date/time of incident: 12/11, 10:45 am Date/time received: 12/14, 6:45 am
Park: Organ Pipe Cactus   Location: Montezuma Head Peak
Reported by: Howard Smith, ORPI (via Ranger Activities, WRO)
Received by: Bill Halainen, RAD, WASO

Summary:
An Air Force A-10 crashed into an outcropping north of Montezuma Head Peak on
Friday morning. A helicopter evacuated the pilot, who suffered a broken arm.
Since the outcropping is a few hundred feet above the valley floor, the plane
is believed to have been flying too low. The A-10 may have live ammunition on
board. The superintendent has advised the Air Force that the plane is down in
a wilderness area and that the use of motorized equipment is prohibited there.
The commander of Davis-Monthan AFB (Tucson, Arizona) was reportedly en-route
to the park to meet with the superintendent.

Persons involved:
Name                                 Address             DOB or age
                              *** Name not given ***



                          FIELD INCIDENT FOLLOW-UP REPORT

Original incident log number: 87-272
Date/time of original incident: 12/11, 1045 am
Park: Organ Pipe Cactus   Location: Montezuma Head Peak

Summary of original report:
An Air Force A-10 crashed into an outcropping north of Montezuma Head Peak on
December 11th. A helicopter evacuated the pilot, who suffered a broken arm.
Since the outcropping is a few hundred feet above the valley floor, the plane
was believed to have been flying too low.

Follow-up number: 1
Date/time of follow-up: 12/15, 1030 am
Reported by: Harold Smith, Superintendent, Organ Pipe Cactus
Prepared by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO

The Air Force regularly uses a 10-mile-wide corridor on the north end of the
park as an approach to Lupe Firing Range. In order to be able to go in under
radar coverage, the Air Force allows planes to fly as low as 500' above the
terrain. The A-10, which was apparently one of two making an approach, hit
a ridge which is only 400' above the valley floor. The pilot ejected and
suffered a broken arm when hitting the ground; the plane impacted about a
half mile further on, then slid about 3000'. It didn't leave much of a
crater, but did destroy about 60 trees and other natural features. Although
the crash site is in a wilderness area, the Air Force continued to send in
vehicles even after the life-threatening emergency was over. The
superintendent has since met with General Larry Keith, the commander of Davis-
Monthan AFB (where the plane originated), and he has agreed to work with the
park to assure that this doesn't happen again. A cooperative agreement will
be worked out with the Air Force, and the park will seek restitution for
damages to the wilderness area.



                                 FIELD INCIDENT REPORT

Incident type: Oil Spill
Log number: 87-273
Date/time of incident: 12/11, 730 am  Date/time received: 12/14, 11 am
Park: Rock Creek        Location: Low Water Bridge
Reported by: John Anglin, RAD, NCRO
Received by: Bill Halainen, RAD, WASO

Summary:
While filling fuel tanks at an apartment complex on Connecticut Avenue, a
Stuart Petroleum fuel truck accidentally discharged 1200 gallons of oil into
the city's sewer system. That oil eventually spilled into Rock Creek, but
most of it was caught by the four booms set out on the creek - three near
the point of outflow and the fourth near the Potomac. The park staff and D.C.
fire and hazardous materials departments responded; clean-up is being
conducted by a contractor, Clean America.

Persons involved:
Name                                 Address             DOB or age