October Accident Search Yields Wreckage, Remains

The remains of Lt. John Joseph Houston were positively identified by medical personnel of Training Squadron 28 Nov. 18. The T-34C Turbomentor aircraft that went missing Oct. 28 has been located and salvage operations have begun.

U.S. Navy divers and the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Manatee located the aircraft Nov. 16 approximately 1.5 miles from Matagorda Island in 40 feet of water. Coast Guard Cutter Henry Claiborne was put on station Nov. 20 to assist in lifting the fuselage of the aircraft.

Houston and Lt. Bret Travis Miller left Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi on a routine training mission Oct. 28 in the area of Rockport-Aransas County Airport, Texas. The pilots and the aircraft were assigned to Training Squadron 28 of Training Air Wing 4 based out of NAS Corpus Christi, Texas.

The T-34C is used to provide primary flight training for student pilots. As a secondary mission, approximately 10 percent of the aircraft provide pilot proficiency and other aircraft support services to Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; and Naval Air Systems Command's "satellite sites" operated throughout the continental United States. The T-34C was procured as a commercial-derivative aircraft certified under an FAA Type Certificate. The T-34C was derived from the civilian Beechcraft Bonanza.

T-34C File Photo

Throughout its life, the aircraft has been operated and commercially supported by the Navy using FAA processes, procedures and certifications.

An investigation of the mishap is being conducted.

FMI: www.navy.mil