EVERGREEN AVIATION - McMinnville Oregon

Comments

[DG]

This Evergreen DC-9 crashed on March 18, 1989 at Saginaw TX. The plane was a cargo flight that was attempting to return to Carswell Air Force base (Fort Worth TX) after the cargo door opened in flight, both the pilot and first officer were killed.

[Joel]

Evergreen International Aviation had a close association with the CIA, even acquiring the CIA's infamous Air America in the mid-70s. It also did a lot of work for other US agencies such as NASA and the Postal Service.

EIA was founded in 1960 as Evergreen Helicopters with its equipment used primarily in wild fire fighting and agricultural spraying.

EIA filed bankruptcy in June of 2014 and liquidated its remaining assets. Owner Del Smith, who was one of Oregon's richest men, died in November 2014. At the time of its closing much of EIA was under investigation by the IRS.

[DG]

The cargo door that opened during flight is described in news stories as being on left side of the aircraft and measuring 7x11 feet that opened upward. If you look close the cargo door appears to be located between the E&G in Evergreen.