@@jbenziggy, your presentation, mannerisms and vocal approach is what is so important. Your story telling style reminds me of Keith Morrison from Dateline. Thank you and Sara for keeping history alive.
I have to tell you that I really truly do appreciate how much you have made our channel part of your Sunday morning experience. We are so honored that you think so highly of us. Blessings to you and your family. How was the coffee?
@@irishgip71this made me smile 😊 as I do they same. Only I walk the dog first then have my coffee as I watch History Hunters. Also it’s Monday mornings here not Sunday. I’ve never tried coffee with Baileys though. 😁 Top of the morning to you sir or madam. Jodie
I grew up in Oakdale, and I even know the Langfords. I just don't remember tales of this incident though. I have been in NV for quite awhile now, but family & friends still there. Thank you so much for the great stories you do. I've been watching your episodes from around the gold rush country and just yesterday saw the episode of the mine disaster in Jackson. Hits close to home as I am a NV gold miner. Western history is a passion. A member of 18 chapters of E Clampus Vitus throughout 8 Western States. Bravo to you Jeff.
Hi Jeff . A similar thing happened in my home town of Haverhill Massachusetts in 1964. A National Guard F86 experienced smoke in the cockpit, and the pilot ejected. The plane came down on Lackey St., clipping several homes and leaving a large gouge in the street before smashing into a home killing two sleeping children. The parents were sitting on the back porch and were only scorched. This happened a short ways from my grandparents grocery store. I still remember seeing the engine and tail section laying in the wreckage of the burned out house. I was 5 at the time. A newspaper article many years later, interviewed the pilot. Living with the death of the two children had stayed with him all his life. Interesting story, great research Jeff.👌
Thanks Jeff, I was Mrs. Lankford mailman for 5 years and delivered that whole area and never new of the incident . I'll have to ask a retired mailman on my current route if he knew Mr. Lankford. Your story of your grade school teacher reminds me of my 2nd grade teacher, Ms. Fovinci . fresh out of college who owned a convertible Thunderbird. She also loss control of the class room and sounded like Sister Mary Elephant attempting to get control of the classroom.
I enjoy so much of your content. But stories like this, featuring regular people in incredible circumstances, are some of my favorites. Thank you for another interesting video.
I really appreciate your comment. I will make efforts to get more people into my videos, but there are a lot of people who shy away from being on camera as you could probably understand. But I was fortunate that the folks at the museum were willing to help talk about this incident. Thank you so much for your nice comment.
You just never know. Lost my sister in a traffic accident and often thought if she just left home thirty seconds sooner or thirty seconds later she would still be here. See you next week, Jeff.
I often think that way, about the rraffic accident that killed actor James Dean, in 1955...if he had even been a few seconds later or sooner to that accident scene, the hapless guy who turned in front of Dean's car, would have hit nothing! Let's face it, we are ALL subject to the whims of Fate, any way you think about our existence in this world.
Reminds of the jet crash in Fresno in the 90’s missing a school while attempting to land on a city street. Poor Kyle Anderson, may he rest in peace. The lady you visited had remarkable great memory for her age. That man buried in the car reminded me of that 70’s movie “Used Cars” with Kurt Russell. Thank you for your research and the tour of your home town!
Your recounts of riding your bike to the store and that your parents let you ride that far reminded me if my childhood. We would be gone all day on our bikes all around Eastside of San Jose, CA. Most of the time, we were exploring caves or catching crawdads down at the creek. As long as we were home by dinner, all was good. Those were the days. As for today's episode, I remember jets flying over our house out of Moffett Field Naval Air Station. I never even wondered about those jets crashing. Wow. I feel for the airman too. He had to live with the knowledge his jet killed a person. This episode is amazing, so much information presented. Wonderful. Another hidden gem.
I appreciate your stories, Jeff. I am a teacher in Salinas, CA. (born in 1966), and for a part of my mother’s early life, she lived in Modesto. I’m so glad you found eyewitnesses who were willing to share their accounts of the tragedy. Such a beautiful area and some aspects seem frozen in time. Yes, it was a different time. All the best.
I remember the Hershey Chocolate factory in Oakdale well. I went with my kids on school field trips to visit. It was lots of fun. I'll always associate Oakdale with chocolate! My oldest also went with his class to the Jelly Belly factory in Solano County. The Hershey factory is long gone, but I believe the Jelly Belly factory still operates. Thank you for another story from Central California's past! What a day that must have been long ago in August.
Wow, so you guys are getting snow today? Where do you guys live? It actually hailed on us in Central California yesterday and right now it’s overcast and expected to be this way all day. I’m pretty sure that our water woes are over.
Great job on the interviews. Actually since you asked, something like that did happen near me when I was growing up in North Dakota. One day me and my friend were playing in my backyard, Suddenly a plane came low over our house and the engine was making a weird sound and suddenly the engine cut off. The plane disappeared. Me and my friend looked at each other like that was weird, but we didn't really comprehend what had happened. Then the town fire siren went off and we went up to the front yard where my dad was talking to a neighbor who was telling him that a plane had just crashed. The fire trucks went by. Then shortly after that a tornado siren went off. Then the fire truck came back by and the firefighters on the truck, yelled that we were in the path of the tornado, and that we should either get in the basement immediately or evacuate the town. My dad decided to put us in the car and leave. After the storm had passed, on the way back we stopped and saw the plane crash. It was sitting on the front lawn of the nursing home which it had narrowly missed. The Police Chief's car and the Fire Chief's pickup truck were parked near it and they were guarding the wreckage. No tornado had hit, but when we got home a bunch of windows in our house had been broken by hail. Overall it was a very eventful day in a small town where nothing like that normally ever happened.
This story was so fascinating! Poor man ready to have supper and he’s gone in a flash! Guess when it’s your time…. We are about three miles from our airport. I watch planes come in and out day and night. We’ve had many that had to land here for problems with the planes. No crashes thank goodness. Your 4th grade teacher sounds like she was at the end of her rope that year. I give teachers so much credit for teaching in the world today.
Mrs Langford's telling was brilliant. Her recollection had detail you just can't capture anyway else. What a day, thanks Jeff. A f100 saber is on display at the Atwater Air Museum.
In 2008 I lived in a mobile home park in a Cincinnati suburb, and the city airport was only a couple of miles away. One afternoon the news break said a small piper airplane and a helicopter had hit head on. The general location was within a 1/4 of a mile of my home, and they said there was a mile or better debris field. My 19 yr old daughter was 8 mos pregnant and home alone. I was terrified by the time she answered the phone, completely oblivious to it all. It had fallen on a busy overpass, with a 4 lane highway under it. And a huge apartment complex next door. Sadly all involved in the crash died, I think it was only the 2 pilots. But by the grace of God, know one on the ground was hurt. Look forward to your videos every Sunday.
Our pleasure! I did not want my channel to be solely concentrated on Central California but at times there’s no way to adventure out and highlight other places but I’m glad you appreciate the local contact.
In that era my Dad was driving on Bayshore Freeway and witnessed the collision of two jets from Moffett Field. He picked up a piece of a plane and had it for many years. I can remember holding it. It was about 8” long and maybe 4 or 5” wide. Traffic was held up on the Freeway for quite a while.
I grew up in Fremont CA, and behind Mission San Jose High School, there's a plaque on a rock, documenting an air force plane crash from roughly the same era. Only the pilot perished. He was honored for realizing that someone was probably going to get hurt when the aircraft went in, so he stayed with it as long as he could until he got out. Too low it seems 😢
The burnt paper is an "approach plate"...essentially instructions on how to land at a specific airport at night/bad weather without running into anything....and landing succssfully. We use to have to file them in big heavy binders and keep them updated (a big task in itself). Now they're all on an Ipad and update themselves electronically.
Such a sad story. It’s really surprising that you never heard this story when you were young. Especially going to school across the street from the incident.
Well, it’s really not that surprising given the fact that the crash happened in 1959 and I didn’t arrive in Oakdale until 1971 which is a span of 13 years.
@@jbenziggy lol - well I live in a small town in Georgia, we talk about stuff for years. Probably because stuff doesn’t happen often, so when it does, we just keep it going.
Lucky Mrs. Langford, that was close. On weekends and in the summer as kids we were out the door after breakfast and our parents didn’t expect us back until dinner time with skinned knees, elbows and sunburn. Great story as always.
I knew Bret when he lived in Lake Don Pedro. He was a good, funny, kind man. Great fisherman and neighbor . Hope karen and his family are still doing fine.
Thank you for today's episode. It was touching to hear about your childhood memories. Concerning the plane crash, I thought of the pilot. You know as a military aviator he was trained to respond to every eventual episode. Even so, to think and act "on the fly" had to be nerve wracking.
I was astounded to hear how long it took him to descend from 18,000 feet. And I also did not know that they flew that high. Can you imagine jumping out of a jet not knowing if it’s going to crash into somebody’s house or a town or or what?
Jeff, I used to ride my horse to the Ben Akers Store. Leroy put in the Hitching post on the side so we could tie our horses and go in the store. That huge glass case full of candy was a kids dream. Clara and Helen always there. You sure brought back alot of childhood memories. 😊 My Family resided in Valley Home for 50 years.
Awesome video! That piece of paper at the museum was actually a part of an instrument approach procedure chart to some airport nearby. These are used by pilots to fly approaches during IFR (instrument flight rules) operations.
Another super job Jeff. Being able to talk to an eye witnesses to such an tragic mishap is amazing. Showing the trajectory of the plane was so surreal. Thanks again for a very enjoyable video, and please….”Keep Hunting” !!!!
An interesting video article thats well scripted and filmed and edited. Thanks Jeff for your childhood memories which are a lot like mine. What a great country America was at that time. I grew up in Tennessee around the same time and yet we did a lot of the same things. Thank you once again Jeff!
Very well done Jeff. My son pilots the Cessna 2 and 4 seat planes. One Sunday Aug. 18, 1997 we took a trip to Ocean City Maryland Municipal airport from the Reading, Pa airport. Ocean City airport is right near the resort town of Ocean City Maryland. While there, I videod about 20 or so skydivers landing on the grassy area next to the runway at the airport. A 3 seat sightseeing red biplane was taxiing between the grassy area to the runway. I Thought this was a dangerous thing to do while the skydivers were landing right there, thinking he should wait 5 minutes or so till they were all down safely. I still have the plane on the video with skydivers landing right there too. The following Sunday Aug. 25.1997 that same Biplane crashed into the Atlantic to the horror of beach goers watching, with two 25 year old girls killing all. One girl was from Laureldale, PA. The other from fleetwood, Pa. Both those places are about 2 or so miles from Reading, Pa where my son and I flew out of the week B 4. I remember thinking how reckless the pilot was the week B 4 with the skydivers and the coincidence of the girls living nearby to me. The township I live in is 6 miles East of Reading, PA.
God bless that sweet lady for showing her home for history's sake. And God bless you, sir, for this awesome channel! The true-life stories you tell are always amazing.
When I was 5 in 1958 my family lived in the house next to the church. My dad was a teacher at the grammar school. I went first through third grade at that school. I have great memories of Valley Home.
This video is just incredible. I spent a lot of time in the Oakdale Museum getting to know the city's history, but I had no idea about this story or the fact that they had artifacts from the accident. Amazing. Thank you for this video!!
Thanks for another great history lesson, Jeff. I've only been to Oakdale one time. We landed at the Oakdale Municipal Airport a few years ago for a fuel stop in my Kitfox, on our way down to Paso Robles. Again Jeff, being an Air Force retiree, I loved the history lesson.
Thank you Jeff for another wonderful by sad story. That was the same year I was born. Unbelievable!!!! What an awful day some sixty- four years ago. Enjoyed your story none the less. I guess all considered, things could have been a lot worse. Until your next story, Jeff. Take care my friend.
Great video Jeff. This one was even more special having happened where you grew up. The nice lady allowing you to walk into her home reminds me of a forgotten era when our country was much safer. Thank you for taking all of us 70’s kids back down good ol memory lane. I LOVE your channel. Well done.
Going to school, I couldn't get enough history...True story - In high school, our history teacher gave us all a test which I aced. My best friend got a zero: he goes up to her, and wanted to know how I got a 100, and he got a zero. She told him that she gave us different tests, because she knew he'd probably copy off mine...lol...love your channel...keep up the outstanding work...a friend from Las Vegas, NV...
Interesting as usual. Thank you for posting. Being that Van Nuys airport in the San Fernando Valley is one of the busiest small airports, there really have not been that many crashes as you might think there would be. I lived in North Las Vegas for a number of years, we had several crash into homes in a short period of time. I lived right across from the tiny airport, the helicopters coming in were the worst. Keep putting out these videos and I'll be watching each one. Thank you again Jeff and Sara. Take care and be well. 😊
Until I was 18, I lived in the flight path of March Air Force Base. Home of the B52. I remember the sound, and seeing the smoke of two B52 crashes. Never a word about them in the news, that I knew of. I enjoy you videos.
@@jbenziggy The 1st crash was, I think, 1956. The 2nd 1958. At the time March was the Strategic Air Command Base. My Mom thought they were able to keep it out of the news, by calling it a danger to National Security.
Hi Jeff and Sarah thank you for another great video. That was very informative and interesting video that was neatyou got to talk to people that still remember that incident. Looking forward to seeing the next video love and blessings Larry June and Laurie
Jeff, I could relate to all parts of this story. It's interesting that you started in Valley Home and the Ben Acker store. My dad has told me many stories of he and his friends riding their bikes from Oakdale in the 1950's. The gentleman who was buried in his car is a most unusual thing. But, now I think I know why my aunt Annie wanted to be buried in her car. When she passed, she was not buried in it, but the gentleman who purchased it from her restored it and brought it to her funeral. I think she would be smiling down at him for that. Then the jet crash, both you and I were not even born! I new Pontiac was a dead end street and had a few friends down there. I lived on Magnolia and I remember when it was time to register for Kindergarten that the registrar wanted me to go to Fair Oaks and my mom said NO. I would have to cross Oak St and Poplar St. Back in 1965/66 those were considered main streets. Thank you, once again, for a very entertaining story about Oakdale. CA.
Thanks for your comment. We were both blessed to live in such a neat little town. I still love Oakdale! In fact, I was in church this morning there, which is like a 20-minute drive from my house! That iconic town clock is such a beautiful cornerstone of hometown!
Great video! It's amazing how many flight paths are in the skies. I live close to a small airport and Air Force Base, so there's always air traffic over my house. There was an interesting crash that happened on Travis Air Force Base back in the 40's. I learned about it a few months ago and researched it. That's how the base got its name. There's a few articles about it online. My grandpa was on the base at the time it happened.
By the way, when you were looking at those aircraft pieces on that table. the one part that was an "important part" due to the safety wire used to keep it from unscrewing. Man, Jeff you were so lucky to find all of those things in that "museum". That type of ejection from an Air Force aircraft is not even close to what things are right now. Pilots don't eject and just "HOPE" that the aircraft crashes some where out of the way. Too many errors in this story, or, that pilot was no longer a pilot in the Air Force. Very poor actions on his treatment of that crashing air craft. Things are just not that way anymore. Sorry Jeff, but as I have told you before, I was in the Air Force from September of 1972 (instead of being drafted into the Army!!!) and got my Honorable Discharge in August of 1976. I loved every single minute of serving my Country and working on the ECM systems in the RF-4C (at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, TX) and the F4D (in Keflavik Iceland) . And some T-33s!!! (in Iceland)
@@culturematters4157 Thank you. Unfortunately I can not tell of all the things I did due to their security level requirements. But I do appreciate your comment!
Great story, I was raised in Gene Autry, Oklahoma, in 1966 and American Flyers Lockheed Electra crashed in the hills east of town killing 86. If you’re ever in Dallas you need to come to Gene Autry and see our museum and memorial to those 86 who died. My cousin runs the Gene Autry Museum. We are halfway between Dallas and Oklahoma City.
Wow…just wow. Living in close proximity to Fort Campbell we have a variety of aircraft flying overhead constantly. When I lived in Atwater it was the same way with Castle and even in Lemoore with NAS Lemoore. It’s always in the back of my mind whenever they fly over. BTW, I’m totally homesick from your video… Your biggest Tennessee (formerly California) fans!♥️
Hellow Jeff, Sarah and Hamilton.Your local stories always hits home I never heard of this jet crash before. I lived on Lone Tree long ago, a few years later worked at Valley Home Cemetery in summer my brother worked and lived on premises for years. worked for Ed Settlemyer his son John was running it still when my brother moved on. My wife Leslie talked to you about our interest in older cemeteries. You two are great forensic type reporters.
I went to Fair Oaks school and so did my kids, lol. I think my mom did too. I am going to have to ask my grandma about what she remembers about the plane crash tragedy. Love your channel. I grew up in the area so it's interesting to learn about things that I never knew happened.
Very interesting story. When you go through a event like this you never forget it. I was 7 years old in 1964 on Good Friday living in Anchorage Alaska. I remember that earthquake like it was yesterday. This story is very compelling and a powerful memory to those who witnessed it. Good job on this video, Jeff.
Happy Palm Sunday Jeff and Sarah! This was a very interesting story of your childhood and a military plane accident that happened in 1959, that you just found out about. Amazing footage of the museum and the people you happen to meet there. I visited that museum one day when I was in Oakdale and it was closed. So you were lucky that you were there on a day that it was open. And then to speak to the lady whose carport was destroyed and her recollection of what went on and what happened is totally amazing! This was a once in a lifetime video that will be long remembered. Thank you for your research and your video skills to bring us this story!
Stuff is still falling off airplanes! What a tragic story! I sometimes hear people say they won’t travel, it’s safer to stay at home. I’d jokingly tell them an airplane could fall on your house! Well, here it goes! Great episode, Jeff! Cool to be able to interview all these people! Nice trip down memory lane for you, too! Sounds like Mrs Spencer should have retired long before she took on your first grade class! Thank you!
Mrs. Spencer definitely was overdue for retirement. I think one of her antagonists grew up to be a local criminal. He started the crap against her! Thanks for watching, my friend!
Well God Sure Blessed you this Day. From the Museum with parts from the plane that the Curator didn't even know about even though he'd been working there 14 years. To 3 people who witnessed it. Including one whose house it hit. AMAZING!! Thank you for sharing this unusual story Jeff.
EXCELLENT investigative work, Jeff!!! Thought-provoking incident, and you did a very thorough job finding interviewees and covering the geographic areas involved. Absolutely amazing that you found these people who not only remembered the incident firsthand but were also physically impacted by this tragedy. And in your hometown! 👏👏👏⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was one of your best.... Mrs. Lanngford was sharp as a tack. Do you know about the Navy Jet that crashed into an apartment building in Alameda in 1973? I wrote about it in Death In California.
I need to reacquaint myself with that story. What was the casualty count in that crash? By the way, I was profoundly troubled by the story in Sandra from Chowchilla! Poor girl beaten to death.
7:1415:5216:0216:12 Wherever you go...there they are. Always respectfully presented: it's a shame Kyle Anderson's kin could not provide a photograph for this documentary of the crash that killed him. Incredible story, Jeff: every true event you bring to our table is fascinating; and pursuing living connections to the event, provided historic accuracy. Top job, History Hunter!
Thank you! Yeah I was disappointed about not finding photos of either Kyle or the pilot. Maybe if I worked for CBS and had a huge staff I could have. lol
Keep doing YOU, as they say, Jeff! More insightful, in many ways, than any CBS special. We appreciate your thorough investigations, always! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻@@jbenziggy
As a USAF vet,Ive heard of stories od pilots plane malfunction over a populated area. Instead of ejecting over peoples houses,they say in to guide the plane way from populated areas. Dying in the crash.
Jeff Another amazing story that would have been lost unless you dug up the facts. Amazing video and you do such a great job in presenting each story, you really do bring history alive and we thank you for your dedication and hard work.
Thank you so so much, Richard I really appreciate the nice words of support. The reward and doing these videos is hearing how they have impacted so many people and I really appreciate your time watching.
What a sweet lady! In her 90s and still living at home - impressive!
We can all hope to live so long and healthy and active!
This channel is proof that all history is important and interesting if presented by the right person.
Thank you for that very nice statement! I certainly try to tell it like it was! History is important. We learn so much from it!
@@jbenziggy, your presentation, mannerisms and vocal approach is what is so important. Your story telling style reminds me of Keith Morrison from Dateline. Thank you and Sara for keeping history alive.
Even sad history is important.
It is also proof-at least to me...that Life itself is random by it's very nature...and we all suffer our Fate as individuals.
Good morning sir. I have three “musts” for Sunday morning. Coffee, take out dog for walk and back for History Hunters. Have a great Sunday y’all!!
I have to tell you that I really truly do appreciate how much you have made our channel part of your Sunday morning experience. We are so honored that you think so highly of us. Blessings to you and your family. How was the coffee?
@@jbenziggy always a lil better with a drop of the ☘️ Baileys. 😂
@@irishgip71this made me smile 😊 as I do they same. Only I walk the dog first then have my coffee as I watch History Hunters. Also it’s Monday mornings here not Sunday.
I’ve never tried coffee with Baileys though. 😁 Top of the morning to you sir or madam. Jodie
I grew up in Oakdale, and I even know the Langfords. I just don't remember tales of this incident though. I have been in NV for quite awhile now, but family & friends still there. Thank you so much for the great stories you do. I've been watching your episodes from around the gold rush country and just yesterday saw the episode of the mine disaster in Jackson. Hits close to home as I am a NV gold miner. Western history is a passion. A member of 18 chapters of E Clampus Vitus throughout 8 Western States. Bravo to you Jeff.
Don’t forget church
Hi Jeff .
A similar thing happened in my home town of Haverhill Massachusetts in 1964. A National Guard F86 experienced smoke in the cockpit, and the pilot ejected. The plane came down on Lackey St., clipping several homes and leaving a large gouge in the street before smashing into a home killing two sleeping children. The parents were sitting on the back porch and were only scorched. This happened a short ways from my grandparents grocery store. I still remember seeing the engine and tail section laying in the wreckage of the burned out house. I was 5 at the time.
A newspaper article many years later, interviewed the pilot. Living with the death of the two children had stayed with him all his life.
Interesting story, great research Jeff.👌
Thanks Jeff, I was Mrs. Lankford mailman for 5 years and delivered that whole area and never new of the incident . I'll have to ask a retired mailman on my current route if he knew Mr. Lankford. Your story of your grade school teacher reminds me of my 2nd grade teacher, Ms. Fovinci . fresh out of college who owned a convertible Thunderbird. She also loss control of the class room and sounded like Sister Mary Elephant attempting to get control of the classroom.
Class, class... SHUT UP! My aunt, who was just a few years older than me and my favorite person on the planet, had that recording.
Great comment.
I enjoy so much of your content. But stories like this, featuring regular people in incredible circumstances, are some of my favorites. Thank you for another interesting video.
I really appreciate your comment. I will make efforts to get more people into my videos, but there are a lot of people who shy away from being on camera as you could probably understand. But I was fortunate that the folks at the museum were willing to help talk about this incident. Thank you so much for your nice comment.
You just never know. Lost my sister in a traffic accident and often thought if she just left home thirty seconds sooner or thirty seconds later she would still be here. See you next week, Jeff.
Have you watched the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button?"
My deepest condolences. 🕊❤
I often think that way, about the rraffic accident that killed actor James Dean, in 1955...if he had even been a few seconds later or sooner to that accident scene, the hapless guy who turned in front of Dean's car, would have hit nothing! Let's face it, we are ALL subject to the whims of Fate, any way you think about our existence in this world.
Reminds of the jet crash in Fresno in the 90’s missing a school while attempting to land on a city street.
Poor Kyle Anderson, may he rest in peace.
The lady you visited had remarkable great memory for her age.
That man buried in the car reminded me of that 70’s movie “Used Cars” with Kurt Russell.
Thank you for your research and the tour of your home town!
Your recounts of riding your bike to the store and that your parents let you ride that far reminded me if my childhood. We would be gone all day on our bikes all around Eastside of San Jose, CA. Most of the time, we were exploring caves or catching crawdads down at the creek. As long as we were home by dinner, all was good. Those were the days. As for today's episode, I remember jets flying over our house out of Moffett Field Naval Air Station. I never even wondered about those jets crashing. Wow. I feel for the airman too. He had to live with the knowledge his jet killed a person. This episode is amazing, so much information presented. Wonderful. Another hidden gem.
I appreciate your stories, Jeff. I am a teacher in Salinas, CA. (born in 1966), and for a part of my mother’s early life, she lived in Modesto. I’m so glad you found eyewitnesses who were willing to share their accounts of the tragedy. Such a beautiful area and some aspects seem frozen in time. Yes, it was a different time. All the best.
My best friend lives in Salinas (Prunedale actually). She grew up in Keyes.
I remember the Hershey Chocolate factory in Oakdale well. I went with my kids on school field trips to visit. It was lots of fun. I'll always associate Oakdale with chocolate!
My oldest also went with his class to the Jelly Belly factory in Solano County. The Hershey factory is long gone, but I believe the Jelly Belly factory still operates.
Thank you for another story from Central California's past! What a day that must have been long ago in August.
Although tragic, another well presented story. Thank you for sharing some personal memories.
Readying ourselves for snow. Great day to stay inside and watch History Hunters! This was fascinating!
Wow, so you guys are getting snow today? Where do you guys live? It actually hailed on us in Central California yesterday and right now it’s overcast and expected to be this way all day. I’m pretty sure that our water woes are over.
Good old Cheyenne. Low of 15 tonight. As we say, "It's before Mother's day; anything can happen." @@jbenziggy
Great job on the interviews. Actually since you asked, something like that did happen near me when I was growing up in North Dakota. One day me and my friend were playing in my backyard, Suddenly a plane came low over our house and the engine was making a weird sound and suddenly the engine cut off. The plane disappeared. Me and my friend looked at each other like that was weird, but we didn't really comprehend what had happened. Then the town fire siren went off and we went up to the front yard where my dad was talking to a neighbor who was telling him that a plane had just crashed. The fire trucks went by. Then shortly after that a tornado siren went off. Then the fire truck came back by and the firefighters on the truck, yelled that we were in the path of the tornado, and that we should either get in the basement immediately or evacuate the town. My dad decided to put us in the car and leave. After the storm had passed, on the way back we stopped and saw the plane crash. It was sitting on the front lawn of the nursing home which it had narrowly missed. The Police Chief's car and the Fire Chief's pickup truck were parked near it and they were guarding the wreckage. No tornado had hit, but when we got home a bunch of windows in our house had been broken by hail. Overall it was a very eventful day in a small town where nothing like that normally ever happened.
Thanks for bringing up the past of Oakdale, Cowboy Capital of the World!
History that escaped me. Thank you. I’ve lived in the area since 1948.
Another great video, Jeff. You have a knack for finding the hidden gems of history. Thanks!!
This story was so fascinating! Poor man ready to have supper and he’s gone in a flash! Guess when it’s your time…. We are about three miles from our airport. I watch planes come in and out day and night. We’ve had many that had to land here for problems with the planes. No crashes thank goodness. Your 4th grade teacher sounds like she was at the end of her rope that year. I give teachers so much credit for teaching in the world today.
IMO there is nothing better than learning about local history. Nobody does it better.... Thanks Jeff!!
Mrs Langford's telling was brilliant. Her recollection had detail you just can't capture anyway else. What a day, thanks Jeff. A f100 saber is on display at the Atwater Air Museum.
In 2008 I lived in a mobile home park in a Cincinnati suburb, and the city airport was only a couple of miles away. One afternoon the news break said a small piper airplane and a helicopter had hit head on. The general location was within a 1/4 of a mile of my home, and they said there was a mile or better debris field. My 19 yr old daughter was 8 mos pregnant and home alone. I was terrified by the time she answered the phone, completely oblivious to it all. It had fallen on a busy overpass, with a 4 lane highway under it. And a huge apartment complex next door. Sadly all involved in the crash died, I think it was only the 2 pilots. But by the grace of God, know one on the ground was hurt. Look forward to your videos every Sunday.
Love your work.
Thank you! I do appreciate the compliment!
I love it when you present local history. I’m a local girl, and I’m always fascinated by history of the area. Much appreciative Jeff😀😀
Our pleasure! I did not want my channel to be solely concentrated on Central California but at times there’s no way to adventure out and highlight other places but I’m glad you appreciate the local contact.
@@jbenziggy I love it when u present other California history too😀😀I always love seeing photo shots of local sites. Keep up good work😀😀
Fascinating!
Another amazing video, Jeff, thank you! So historical, and such a beautiful interview with the lady in her home.😎
In that era my Dad was driving on Bayshore Freeway and witnessed the collision of two jets from Moffett Field. He picked up a piece of a plane and had it for many years. I can remember holding it. It was about 8” long and maybe 4 or 5” wide. Traffic was held up on the Freeway for quite a while.
I grew up in Fremont CA, and behind Mission San Jose High School, there's a plaque on a rock, documenting an air force plane crash from roughly the same era. Only the pilot perished. He was honored for realizing that someone was probably going to get hurt when the aircraft went in, so he stayed with it as long as he could until he got out. Too low it seems 😢
Thanks JEFF 😢SAD
So sad. 😭
Of all the places to land, it hits his house and not only that but exactly where the man was sitting.
Heartbreaking.
Hey Jeff I’ve lived here all my life and never heard of that before, great video !!
The burnt paper is an "approach plate"...essentially instructions on how to land at a specific airport at night/bad weather without running into anything....and landing succssfully. We use to have to file them in big heavy binders and keep them updated (a big task in itself). Now they're all on an Ipad and update themselves electronically.
Thanks for the information. Are you a former military pilot? Or perhaps a private pilot?
Such a sad story. It’s really surprising that you never heard this story when you were young. Especially going to school across the street from the incident.
Well, it’s really not that surprising given the fact that the crash happened in 1959 and I didn’t arrive in Oakdale until 1971 which is a span of 13 years.
@@jbenziggy lol - well I live in a small town in Georgia, we talk about stuff for years. Probably because stuff doesn’t happen often, so when it does, we just keep it going.
Lucky Mrs. Langford, that was close. On weekends and in the summer as kids we were out the door after breakfast and our parents didn’t expect us back until dinner time with skinned knees, elbows and sunburn. Great story as always.
I knew Bret when he lived in Lake Don Pedro. He was a good, funny, kind man. Great fisherman and neighbor . Hope karen and his family are still doing fine.
Such sad and tragic event..
Thank you Jeff and Sarah
Thank you for today's episode. It was touching to hear about your childhood memories. Concerning the plane crash, I thought of the pilot. You know as a military aviator he was trained to respond to every eventual episode. Even so, to think and act "on the fly" had to be nerve wracking.
I was astounded to hear how long it took him to descend from 18,000 feet. And I also did not know that they flew that high. Can you imagine jumping out of a jet not knowing if it’s going to crash into somebody’s house or a town or or what?
Jeff, I used to ride my horse to the Ben Akers Store. Leroy put in the Hitching post on the side so we could tie our horses and go in the store. That huge glass case full of candy was a kids dream. Clara and Helen always there. You sure brought back alot of childhood memories. 😊
My Family resided in Valley Home for 50 years.
Interesting story, and wonderful that you were able to record for history Mrs. Langford's account of that tragic day.
Awesome video! That piece of paper at the museum was actually a part of an instrument approach procedure chart to some airport nearby. These are used by pilots to fly approaches during IFR (instrument flight rules) operations.
Thanks for the info!
Very interesting video Jeff. I can imagine all the history that has occurred that we never find out about.
I'm always amazed at the stories you find and relate so expertly. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing.
Another super job Jeff. Being able to talk to an eye witnesses to such an tragic mishap is amazing. Showing the trajectory of the plane was so surreal. Thanks again for a very enjoyable video, and please….”Keep Hunting” !!!!
I was sure lucky feeling to run into those great folks at the museum!
An interesting video article thats well scripted and filmed and edited. Thanks Jeff for your childhood memories which are a lot like mine. What a great country America was at that time. I grew up in Tennessee around the same time and yet we did a lot of the same things. Thank you once again Jeff!
Very well done Jeff. My son pilots the Cessna 2 and 4 seat planes. One Sunday Aug. 18, 1997 we took a trip to Ocean City Maryland Municipal airport from the Reading, Pa airport. Ocean City airport is right near the resort town of Ocean City Maryland. While there, I videod about 20 or so skydivers landing on the grassy area next to the runway at the airport. A 3 seat sightseeing red biplane was taxiing between the grassy area to the runway. I Thought this was a dangerous thing to do while the skydivers were landing right there, thinking he should wait 5 minutes or so till they were all down safely. I still have the plane on the video with skydivers landing right there too. The following Sunday Aug. 25.1997 that same Biplane crashed into the Atlantic to the horror of beach goers watching, with two 25 year old girls killing all. One girl was from Laureldale, PA. The other from fleetwood, Pa. Both those places are about 2 or so miles from Reading, Pa where my son and I flew out of the week B 4. I remember thinking how reckless the pilot was the week B 4 with the skydivers and the coincidence of the girls living nearby to me. The township I live in is 6 miles East of Reading, PA.
Man you deserve more Subscribers.
I agree! Thank you! Help me get out the word! Lol
God bless that sweet lady for showing her home for history's sake. And God bless you, sir, for this awesome channel! The true-life stories you tell are always amazing.
Wow , that is fascinating and tragic . Never heard about that story , I am so glad you told this story.
When I was 5 in 1958 my family lived in the house next to the church. My dad was a teacher at the grammar school. I went first through third grade at that school. I have great memories of Valley Home.
This video is just incredible. I spent a lot of time in the Oakdale Museum getting to know the city's history, but I had no idea about this story or the fact that they had artifacts from the accident. Amazing. Thank you for this video!!
So happy to hear that you enjoyed this video! FYI, the main guy at the museum didn’t even know about the parts of the jet picked up after the crash!
You never know when it's your time. Live large! Great vid Jeff
Thanks for another great history lesson, Jeff. I've only been to Oakdale one time. We landed at the Oakdale Municipal Airport a few years ago for a fuel stop in my Kitfox, on our way down to Paso Robles. Again Jeff, being an Air Force retiree, I loved the history lesson.
Thank you Jeff for another wonderful by sad story. That was the same year I was born. Unbelievable!!!! What an awful day some sixty- four years ago. Enjoyed your story none the less. I guess all considered, things could have been a lot worse. Until your next story, Jeff. Take care my friend.
Love hearing stories around the towns i live in thank you so much,maby one day you can do one about the history of Riverbank ca
Great video Jeff. This one was even more special having happened where you grew up. The nice lady allowing you to walk into her home reminds me of a forgotten era when our country was much safer. Thank you for taking all of us 70’s kids back down good ol memory lane. I LOVE your channel. Well done.
Going to school, I couldn't get enough history...True story - In high school, our history teacher gave us all a test which I aced. My best friend got a zero: he goes up to her, and wanted to know how I got a 100, and he got a zero. She told him that she gave us different tests, because she knew he'd probably copy off mine...lol...love your channel...keep up the outstanding work...a friend from Las Vegas, NV...
Really interested to here these old events thanks for sharing
Cool story Jeff. Thanks again for bringing our community to light.
Interesting as usual. Thank you for posting. Being that Van Nuys airport in the San Fernando Valley is one of the busiest small airports, there really have not been that many crashes as you might think there would be.
I lived in North Las Vegas for a number of years, we had several crash into homes in a short period of time. I lived right across from the tiny airport, the helicopters coming in were the worst.
Keep putting out these videos and I'll be watching each one.
Thank you again Jeff and Sara. Take care and be well. 😊
Until I was 18, I lived in the flight path of March Air Force Base. Home of the B52. I remember the sound, and seeing the smoke of two B52 crashes. Never a word about them in the news, that I knew of. I enjoy you videos.
That would be scary to witness. What year was this? Surely it was in the news. That’s a pretty big deal.
@@jbenziggy The 1st crash was, I think, 1956. The 2nd 1958. At the time March was the Strategic Air Command Base. My Mom thought they were able to keep it out of the news, by calling it a danger to National Security.
I’m watching you on my favorite morning program today, GoodDay Sacramento. Amazing!!
Thank you! I’m still here with Cody!
Hi Jeff and Sarah thank you for another great video. That was very informative and interesting video that was neatyou got to talk to people that still remember that incident. Looking forward to seeing the next video love and blessings Larry June and Laurie
What an interesting story.. I appreciate you an what you do
Thanks
Jeff, I could relate to all parts of this story. It's interesting that you started in Valley Home and the Ben Acker store. My dad has told me many stories of he and his friends riding their bikes from Oakdale in the 1950's. The gentleman who was buried in his car is a most unusual thing. But, now I think I know why my aunt Annie wanted to be buried in her car. When she passed, she was not buried in it, but the gentleman who purchased it from her restored it and brought it to her funeral. I think she would be smiling down at him for that. Then the jet crash, both you and I were not even born! I new Pontiac was a dead end street and had a few friends down there. I lived on Magnolia and I remember when it was time to register for Kindergarten that the registrar wanted me to go to Fair Oaks and my mom said NO. I would have to cross Oak St and Poplar St. Back in 1965/66 those were considered main streets. Thank you, once again, for a very entertaining story about Oakdale. CA.
Thanks for your comment. We were both blessed to live in such a neat little town. I still love Oakdale! In fact, I was in church this morning there, which is like a 20-minute drive from my house! That iconic town clock is such a beautiful cornerstone of hometown!
Great video! It's amazing how many flight paths are in the skies. I live close to a small airport and Air Force Base, so there's always air traffic over my house.
There was an interesting crash that happened on Travis Air Force Base back in the 40's. I learned about it a few months ago and researched it. That's how the base got its name. There's a few articles about it online. My grandpa was on the base at the time it happened.
Let’s hope that it never happens where you are, or anywhere for that matter.
By the way, when you were looking at those aircraft pieces on that table. the one part that was an "important part" due to the safety wire used to keep it from unscrewing. Man, Jeff you were so lucky to find all of those things in that "museum". That type of ejection from an Air Force aircraft is not even close to what things are right now. Pilots don't eject and just "HOPE" that the aircraft crashes some where out of the way. Too many errors in this story, or, that pilot was no longer a pilot in the Air Force. Very poor actions on his treatment of that crashing air craft. Things are just not that way anymore. Sorry Jeff, but as I have told you before, I was in the Air Force from September of 1972 (instead of being drafted into the Army!!!) and got my Honorable Discharge in August of 1976. I loved every single minute of serving my Country and working on the ECM systems in the RF-4C (at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, TX) and the F4D (in Keflavik Iceland) . And some T-33s!!! (in Iceland)
Thank you for your service!
@@culturematters4157 Thank you. Unfortunately I can not tell of all the things I did due to their security level requirements. But I do appreciate your comment!
Stellar job, Jeff. Always look forward to your vlogs.
I appreciate that! Thank you!
Jeff, That was a neat interview of the 90-year old woman. Her memory was sharp as a tack 65 years after the plane crash!
Great story, I was raised in Gene Autry, Oklahoma, in 1966 and American Flyers Lockheed Electra crashed in the hills east of town killing 86. If you’re ever in Dallas you need to come to Gene Autry and see our museum and memorial to those 86 who died. My cousin runs the Gene Autry Museum. We are halfway between Dallas and Oklahoma City.
Wow…just wow. Living in close proximity to Fort Campbell we have a variety of aircraft flying overhead constantly. When I lived in Atwater it was the same way with Castle and even in Lemoore with NAS Lemoore. It’s always in the back of my mind whenever they fly over. BTW, I’m totally homesick from your video…
Your biggest Tennessee (formerly California) fans!♥️
Another great video and history story Jeff, well done, thank you for your great work and commitment.
Glad you enjoyed it! Your seats leave us the nicest comments! Always appreciated too! Bless you!
Hellow Jeff, Sarah and Hamilton.Your local stories always hits home I never heard of this jet crash before. I lived on Lone Tree long ago, a few years later worked at Valley Home Cemetery in summer my brother worked and lived on premises for years. worked for Ed Settlemyer his son John was running it still when my brother moved on. My wife Leslie talked to you about our interest in older cemeteries. You two are great forensic type reporters.
Thoroughly enjoyed this type of local history. Thanks for all the hard work
I went to Fair Oaks school and so did my kids, lol. I think my mom did too. I am going to have to ask my grandma about what she remembers about the plane crash tragedy. Love your channel. I grew up in the area so it's interesting to learn about things that I never knew happened.
Happy Sunday, Jeff!❤️
Morning! Thanks for checking in!
Bless Ms Langford, she's still getting around....i couldn't believe how clean and perfect her home was....I bet there wasn't a speck of dust anywhere!
She amazed me for her age!
Great interview, the information just flows
Very interesting story, that you were able to talk to witnesses made it special.
Very interesting story. When you go through a event like this you never forget it. I was 7 years old in 1964 on Good Friday living in Anchorage Alaska. I remember that earthquake like it was yesterday. This story is very compelling and a powerful memory to those who witnessed it. Good job on this video, Jeff.
thank you for sharing your home town history 🙏 interesting stories!
Must have been a shock to all involved.What a story,jeepers! Thanks again Jeff!
Definitely the best channel for the best stories. Thanks Jeff
Thank you, Greg!
Jeff a great story and as tragic as it was. Also very interesting. Thank you so much for sharing and interviewing that interesting lady.😊
Excellent video and story. 👍
Love the local history. Thank for sharing
Happy Palm Sunday Jeff and Sarah! This was a very interesting story of your childhood and a military plane accident that happened in 1959, that you just found out about. Amazing footage of the museum and the people you happen to meet there. I visited that museum one day when I was in Oakdale and it was closed. So you were lucky that you were there on a day that it was open. And then to speak to the lady whose carport was destroyed and her recollection of what went on and what happened is totally amazing! This was a once in a lifetime video that will be long remembered. Thank you for your research and your video skills to bring us this story!
Cool video and what a sweet old lady
Another fascinating story. Thanks so much for all you do!!! Look forward to every new History Hunters show.
Thanks Jeff.Your videos are always so interesting🌟
I appreciate the kind remarks, Brooke! Thank you again!
Very interesting! Your home town has some history! Thanks Jeff.
Indeed it does!
Stuff is still falling off airplanes! What a tragic story! I sometimes hear people say they won’t travel, it’s safer to stay at home. I’d jokingly tell them an airplane could fall on your house! Well, here it goes!
Great episode, Jeff! Cool to be able to interview all these people! Nice trip down memory lane for you, too! Sounds like Mrs Spencer should have retired long before she took on your first grade class! Thank you!
Mrs. Spencer definitely was overdue for retirement. I think one of her antagonists grew up to be a local criminal. He started the crap against her! Thanks for watching, my friend!
Great story Jeff be looking for the next video keep up the good work ❤
Well God Sure Blessed you this Day. From the Museum with parts from the plane that the Curator didn't even know about even though he'd been working there 14 years. To 3 people who witnessed it. Including one whose house it hit. AMAZING!! Thank you for sharing this unusual story Jeff.
EXCELLENT investigative work, Jeff!!! Thought-provoking incident, and you did a very thorough job finding interviewees and covering the geographic areas involved. Absolutely amazing that you found these people who not only remembered the incident firsthand but were also physically impacted by this tragedy. And in your hometown! 👏👏👏⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was one of your best.... Mrs. Lanngford was sharp as a tack. Do you know about the Navy Jet that crashed into an apartment building in Alameda in 1973? I wrote about it in Death In California.
I need to reacquaint myself with that story. What was the casualty count in that crash? By the way, I was profoundly troubled by the story in Sandra from Chowchilla! Poor girl beaten to death.
11 including the pilot. The fire department couldn't get through the crowd of people looky-looing. Yeah, that story is so sad.
Great article Jeff!! Thank you so much.
7:14 15:52 16:02 16:12 Wherever you go...there they are.
Always respectfully presented: it's a shame Kyle Anderson's kin could not provide a photograph for this documentary of the crash that killed him.
Incredible story, Jeff: every true event you bring to our table is fascinating; and pursuing living connections to the event, provided historic accuracy. Top job, History Hunter!
Thank you! Yeah I was disappointed about not finding photos of either Kyle or the pilot. Maybe if I worked for CBS and had a huge staff I could have. lol
Keep doing YOU, as they say, Jeff! More insightful, in many ways, than any CBS special. We appreciate your thorough investigations, always! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻@@jbenziggy
As a USAF vet,Ive heard of stories od pilots plane malfunction over a populated area. Instead of ejecting over peoples houses,they say in to guide the plane way from populated areas. Dying in the crash.
Well thought out! interviews, news articles, artifacts, maps - cheers!
Thanks my Reno buddy!
Jeff Another amazing story that would have been lost unless you dug up the facts. Amazing video and you do such a great job in presenting each story, you really do bring history alive and we thank you for your dedication and hard work.
Thank you so so much, Richard I really appreciate the nice words of support. The reward and doing these videos is hearing how they have impacted so many people and I really appreciate your time watching.