Warbird Information Exchange

Hi Guys,

You guys have been real great answering all of my queries but this next one is a more personal one. My questions pertain to a an accident at NAS Cubi Point back in Jan 1989. It involved a US-3A Viking flown by the CO of VRC-50. Capt. Robert Geeding and LT Bartram were completing a NATOPS check flight. While performing a single engine approach the aircraft overshot the runway. Lost control, began to roll over and entered the water at the end of the runway nearly inverted. There is some belief that there was malfunction in either procedure or equipment, or a combination of both. The resulting crash unfortunatly killed both the Pilot and Aircraft Commander. I was curious if anyone here was there at that time or was aware of the accident and could give me more information.

This a personal interest because Capt. Geeding was my uncle. So any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Shay

I knew someone assigned to VRC-50 around that time, I think a bit after. I remember the story about that crash or one similar there. I heard that a lot of aircraft went to the water there. I'm going to have to pick my brain hard for his name. I know he lived in Northern CA.

I can picture his face and his 66 Malibu. What a sweet car!

_________________
www.tailhookstudio.com

Does anyone know how to go about getting the Mishap Report and investigation report?
Just some background information:
-he flew 6 tours of duty in the Venerable F-8 Crusader for the VF-211 "Checkmates"
-Advised for the Top Gun school in the beginning
-Was in a pilot exchange with the USAF flying the F-4 Phantom
-Work at the pentagon
-CO of VF-111 "Sundowners" F-14A Tomcat
-CO of VRC-50 C-2, C-130F and US-3A
-also if I recall correctly at one time he flew with VF-191 "Satin's Kittens"

Tours onboard:
-USS Hancock
-USS Bon Homme Richard
-USS Oriskany
-USS Independence
-USS Kittyhawk
-I'll have to look to see if that's all of them.

I talk to Mark at
[/url]www.vrc-50.org[url] and got some information. Also I did find a picture on the internet of the actual US-3A Viking that he took his final flight in. BuNo. 157996 Tailcode: RG717 BuNo 157996 was the sister ship to BuNo. 157998 RG712, the first to be converted to "Miss Piggy" US-3A Viking that is being restored at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. Her other 4 Sister ships are in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB.



Thanks again for any help

Shay