1955 Mid-Air Collision of Two US Air Force Jets - Plane Crash Sites on Waymarking.com

There is ample area on the shoulder of Business Route 13 (Coastal Boulevard) on the northern end of the Town of Onley to pull over to reflect on this mishap.

Please use caution, especially with children and pets, as this spot is located along a highway and a railroad track. Please be safe!

Look for a break in the Crepe Myrtle trees along the east side of Business Route 13 (Ocean Boulevard), between the highway and the railroad tracks and across from three tan brick columns and T & W Block, Inc. (21075 Washington Street, Onley, VA 23418). The grassy area between the the highway and the railroad track is the site where 1st Lieutenant John J. Hull's jet crashed.

About one block south of the jet crash site on the same side of the highway, is the place the aircraft machinegun landed on the roof of the car. A cement foundation next to 25429 Ocean Boulevard is all that remains of Kellam Motors today.

The Crash
On Monday morning, July 18, 1955, two Republic F84-F Thunderstreak jets departed Langley Field (now Langley Air Force Base) in Hampton, VA at 3:27 AM and flew about 56 air miles northeast across the Chesapeake Bay toward Onley, VA. The jets were en route to McGuire Air Base near Trenton, NJ. Shortly after takeoff, the jet piloted by 1st Lieutenant Karl V. Gabler, 23, developed engine trouble and he decided to return to Langley. While Lieutenant Gabler was reportedly making his turn at about 4:00 AM, his jet collided with the jet piloted by 1st Lieutenant John J. Hull, 29.

Lieutenant Gabler did not survive the crash. He and his jet were found later in the day by military personnel about five miles northwest of Parksley, VA.

Lieutenant Hull bailed out of his jet and came down in a shallow creek near Onancock. His jet crashed between the railroad tracks and Route 13 near Onley, damaging the highway and 350 feet of railroad tracks and creating a 20 foot wide, 12 foot deep hole. Debris from the wreckage was strewn about 400 yards. A machine gun from the jet damaged the roof of a car in the lot of nearby car dealer, Kellam Motors. Residents heard the crash for about three miles and at least three house windows were shattered.

An Onancock man, Mr. Hicks, was awakened and comforted Lieutenant Hull until Hull was transported by Navy helicopter to the hospital at Chincoteague Naval Air Station (now Wallops Flight Center) with back injuries.

To see a picture of an F84-F Thunderstreak and to learn more about this jet, visit the National Museum of the US Air Force Web site listed below.

(Chincoteague Beacon, Wednesday, July 20, 1955, Front Page, Planes Collide in Midair Over Shore)

(Site corroborated by a local man who was present the night of the crash and still lives within a block of the site as of 12/12/12)

Web Address for Related Web Sites: [Web Link] Date of Crash: 07/18/1955 Aircraft Model: Republic F84-F Thunderstreak. Military or Civilian: Military Tail Number: Unknown. Cause of Crash: Pilot Error.

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