C-124A # 51-156A, from the 19th Logistic Support Squadron, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, arrived at Patrick Air Force Base at 1855 EST on 15 August 1956 from Hunter Air Force Base, Georgia, enroute to San Salvador Auxiliary Air Force Base. Upon arrival at Patrick Air Force Base, Captain Ulsh and the aircraft commander, of C-124A #51-110 received their overseas briefing. This briefing was conducted by the overseas briefing officer at approximately 1930 EST. The briefing lasted between 20 and 30 minutes and consisted of an oral briefing using a written outline (blanked out word or two) and pictures of the destination. An opportunity to ask any questions was offered to the crew members.

Later in the evening Captain Ulsh was asked by the air freight section it it would be possible to airlift an additional 12,947 pounds of cargo to San Salvador. Captain Ulsh was aware that the personnel at San Salvador were in urgent need of these materials due to the devastation caused by hurricane "Betsy." The other C-124A #51-110 from the same organization had been previously loaded with bulky cargo. It was determined that the additional cargo at Patrick Air Force Base would be loaded aboard the C-124A #51-156A, as more space was available. This brought the total gross takeoff weight to 173,741 pounds which is within the limits of 175,000 pounds gross takeoff weight. Takeoff time was established as 0530 EST, 16 August 1956, and the crew members proceeded with their duties, refueling, loading of cargo, and eating. The pilots and navigators retired at 2230E, leaving a call for 0230 E the next morning.

C-124A #51-156A departed Patrick Air Force Base at 0531E; destination, San Salvador Auxiliary Air Force Base. Captain Ulsh had filed an instrument flight plan direct, estimating 2 hours and 5 minutes enroute; he had 6 hours and 30 minutes fuel on board (3666 gallons) and he was granted a flight altitude of five thousand feet. The existing weather at destination was nineteen hundred (1900) feet scattered, twenty-eight thousand (28,000) scattered, ten (10) miles visibility with winds from the south at twelve (12) knots. Forecast weather for time of arrival was two thousand (2000) scattered, thirty thousand (30,000) broken, visibility ten (10) miles and the winds from the south at twelve (12) to fifteen (15) knots.

The flight to San Salvador was normal and routine, and communications were maintained by the radio operator as briefed. The pilot was briefed prior to his departure from Patrick Air Force Base that there would be no communications available at San Salvador due to hurricane "Betsy" having rendered the Island's communications equipment inoperative.

At approximately 0700E the communications personnel at San Salvador managed to put San Salvador radiio back on the air under a makeshift arrangement, i.e., transmit in one room and receive in another room. At approximately 0710E San Salvador radio contacted C-124A #51-110 and #51-156A and advised them that the control tower was still inoperative. (couple of words blanked out here).

The first C-124A #51-110 landed at San Salvador on runway 28 and was parked in the parking area north of the landing strip. Captain Ulsh, pilot of C-124A #51-156A and Captain Raby, pilot on C-124A #51-110, then discussed over the VHF radio the best directin for landing. Captain Raby advised Captain Ulsh that landing on runway 10 looked the most favorable as the wind sock seemed to indicate a wind from slightly east of south. San Salvador radio had given Captain Ulsh the winds as southeast at eleven (11) knots.

Captain Ulsh elected to land on runway 10. In compliance with the briefing received at Patrick Air Force Base to make a low pass prior to landing. Captain Ulsh flew down the runway at one thousand (1000) feet on a heading of one hundred (100) degrees and turned onto his cross wind leg to the left at the end of the runway. He flew a normal left hand traffic pattern. At approximately 0735E he turned final approach which was normal, and airspeed and power settings were set up as standard. A crab was established to counter the cross wind from the right.

The approach end of runway 10 is 124 feet from a sea wall on the eastern edge of San Salvador Island. The runway is 4440 feet long.

As Captain Ulsh was passing over the approach to the runway, he felt a jar on his right gear and thought he had made a hard landing on his right main gear. He prepared to make a normal hard landing recovery but the aircraft continued to settle on the right side, sliding down the runway and off the right side, finally stopping with the flight compartment tipped to the right at an extimated 60 degree angle. The aircraft had turned approximately 145 degrees to the right. The crew in the flight compartment escaped through the co-pilots window and proceeded to a safe distance.

Airfield data: Runway length 4400 ft. - Asphalt Surface - Dry - Elevation 10 ft. MSL