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Almost 30 years ago, a couple miles south of here, an A-7 Air National Guard jet fighter based in Pittsburgh crashed shortly after 8 PM on 09/19/1984.
No residents of the area were harmed in any way. The fighter which was piloted by James Garnotte crashed into this wooded, unpopulated area. Major Garnotte was taken by a lifeflight helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburh where he was treated for minor scratches and released. The jet crashed while on a training mission.
"We heard a loud noise going over the hill from where we live" a local resident said. "My husband said he saw parts falling out of the plane before the crash. Things were coming out of the engine too and it scared me half to death." You will be searching for these parts and they will lead you to the final which is the "Black Box." Everyone knows this flight recorder is protected by a special lock which you will have to figure out. If you take your time and do not pry, beat, twist, or otherwise destroy the box, it will open very easy when you figure out the "Trick" Just remember the Bobby Vinton song, "Blue on Blue," which was still popular back when this crash occured.
The West Virginia State Police, Brooke County Sherriff's Department, Follansbee Police Dept, Follansbee Volunteer Fire Dept, and the Hooverson Heights Volunteer Fire Dept. all responded to the emergency. However, because the area of the crash was blocked off by a team from the U. S. Air Force, only one truck from each of the two departments was allowed through. Frank Marchino, chief of the Hooverson Heights Fire Dept. said there was debris burning and pieces were scattered in about a half mile radius from the crash site. The state police had a couple of helicopters in the air which cleared the spectaters out in a hurry, he added. A total of about 30 firefighters were at the scene.
It is not known how many pieces the plane is in because the firefighters said it was too dark to get a good look. Bill Hurst of Weirton was in his car near the crash site when the event occured. "I had my radio on at the time. The only sound I could hear was a low flying jet. I looked up and saw an explosion. There was a ball of fire which shot up about 40 feet in the air. Hurst estimates his position at the time was about 1 mile from the crash site. Others near the area described the event as an explosion and flames. An investigation into the matter is underway.
The A-7 pilot appeared to stay with his single-engine fighter until the last possible second before bailing out moments before the craft crashed into a hillside and exploded in a wooded area. The crash knocked down power lines and plunged more than 300 homes into darkness. The only injuries were to the pilot and they were minor.
The pilot, Major James Garnotte of Queensville, MD., and assigned to the 112th Tactical Fighter Group of the Pennsylvania National Guard, after ejecting himself from the failing craft, was found approximately 200 yards from the crash scene and was safely evacuated by helicopter and taken to Allegheny General hospital, treated and released. Major Garnotte was flying in wing formation with another A-7 from the 112th Fighter Group. The plane was equipped only with training ordinance. Acording to a spokesman of the U. S. Air Force in Pittsburgh, the first report of the crash was radioed to the control tower at the Pittsburgh Airport.
Major Wenzol from the investigation team stated the pilot appeared to have guided the plane away from a residential area and towards the wooded hillside. He said the fighter crashed and exploded on impact, then bounced into a gulley. The plane was down at about a 45 degree angle. The wings and engine were still attached to the fuselage.
The cause of the accident has yet to be determined.
There seems to be a problem with some "Driving Direction GPS's". To get to the parking coords, take the Three Springs Drive exit and head towards Walmart. At the STOP sign by Bob Evans turn right. Go past the entrances to Walmart and keep going past the HUGE warehouse that will be on your right. You will see a cyclone fenced in area straight ahead. Go on the dirt road that parallels the fence to the parking coords. Depending on the recent weather, this dirt road can be a muddy mess and not very good for a low slung car.