Found Plane Wreck Reveals Horrifying End
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On March 11, 1967, a seemingly routine flight turned into an unimaginable struggle for survival for Alvin Oien and his family. The proud owner of a Cessna 195, Alvin had planned a trip from Portland to San Francisco, eager to spend time with his son, Alvin Jr., who was a pilot for Delta Air Lines. Accompanying him were his wife, Phyllis, and his stepdaughter, 15-year-old Carla. What was meant to be a joyful family reunion would soon descend into chaos and despair.
Alvin, a seasoned outdoorsman and owner of the Clifford Hotel in Portland, had always taken pride in his flying skills. He meticulously maintained his aircraft, ensuring it was in top condition for their journey. However, in a fateful oversight, the family survival kit was left behind. This kit, which contained essential supplies like food, a hunting rifle, and a flare gun, would prove crucial in the days to come.
As they took off, the weather was clear, but that would soon change. Halfway through their flight, a freak storm descended upon them, transforming the skies into a blizzard. Visibility vanished, and ice began to accumulate on the wings. Alvin, relying on visual navigation, quickly realized they were lost. Despite his experience, he had drifted over 20 kilometers off course, heading straight for the Trinity Mountains.
In a desperate attempt to regain control, Alvin spotted a mountainside looming ahead. With no time to spare, he executed an emergency landing on the snow-covered slope. Miraculously, the impact did not claim their lives; everyone survived the crash. However, their ordeal was far from over.
As the family emerged from the wreckage, they assessed their injuries. Alvin had sustained a broken arm and several crushed ribs, while Phyllis suffered a broken wrist and ankle. Carla, though bruised, was otherwise unharmed and became the family’s lifeline. With radios destroyed and no means of communication, they were stranded in the freezing wilderness, unaware if rescuers were even searching for them.
Hours turned into days, and when the family failed to arrive in Red Bluff, a search and rescue operation was launched. But the storm hampered efforts, obscuring the wreckage from view. Searchers had no idea where to begin, and the vast wilderness made the task seem insurmountable. The plane had crashed on Bully Choop Mountain, a full 30 kilometers west of Redding, hidden beneath layers of snow and trees.
Back at the crash site, Phyllis woke up the next morning to find her toes frostbitten and the family in dire conditions. They had only a small amount of food: a few sandwiches, jars of jelly, and some candy. The fight against the cold and hunger began immediately. They fashioned makeshift shelters from clothing and tried to keep warm, but the relentless winter storm continued to batter them.
Meanwhile, Alvin Jr. was anxiously awaiting news of his family. Upon learning of the crash, he rushed to Redding and volunteered for the search effort. With his background in the Air Force, he was determined to find his loved ones. Day after day, he flew over the treacherous terrain, hoping to spot any sign of the downed plane. But the weather remained uncooperative, and the search teams struggled against the elements.
As the days passed, the family’s situation grew increasingly desperate. On the third day, Carla ventured out to search for help but was forced back by heavy snowfall. Five days in, with food dwindling, Alvin knew he had to take action. He set out on a treacherous journey down the mountain, calling back to Phyllis and Carla as he navigated the treacherous terrain. But as he ventured further, he fell silent.
Weeks went by, and the search continued, but hope was fading. The search teams, exhausted and frustrated, eventually called off the official rescue efforts after nearly 600 hours of flight time. Yet Alvin Jr. refused to give up. He continued to fly, searching tirelessly for his family, driven by love and desperation.
Back at the crash site, Phyllis and Carla clung to life, using their limited resources to survive. They wrote notes in the margins of a flight log, detailing their experiences and fears. On Carla’s 16th birthday, she penned a poignant entry, expressing her hope that the searchers would find them. But as the days turned into weeks, their strength waned, and the harsh reality of their situation set in.
On May 4th, the last entry in Carla’s diary reflected their deteriorating condition. The weather remained relentless, and they struggled to stay warm and fed. They melted snow for water, but their energy was fading fast. After that entry, the calendar stopped, and their voices fell silent.
It would take months for the truth of their fate to emerge. Alvin Jr. continued his search for 107 days, but by the end of June, he was forced to return to work, his savings depleted. It wasn’t until October that a hunter stumbled upon the wreckage of the Cessna, buried deep in the trees, with the remains of Alvin and Phyllis nearby.
The discovery sent shockwaves through the community. The Oien family’s tragic story highlighted the need for better safety measures in aviation. Alvin Jr. was critical of the rescue efforts, believing they had given up too easily. He advocated for mandatory emergency locator beacons in civil aviation, a change that would eventually become law thanks to the efforts of lawmakers inspired by Carla’s story.
Carla’s diary, detailing their harrowing ordeal, became a powerful testament to survival and resilience. It humanized the challenges faced by families in distress and ultimately led to legislative changes that would save countless lives in the future.
The Oien family’s journey is a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Their story, filled with heartbreak and hope, continues to resonate, urging us to remain vigilant and compassionate in the face of adversity.
