MISHAPs: 09 JAN 60 A/C: P2V-2 Location: A mile off of Dana Point, CA Strike: Yes BUNO: 124893 (Pilot assigned to VP-774 and Co-Pilot assigned to VP-776)

"...I lost my father on that flight in January of 1960, LCDR Ralph Schankin, and have just discovered this website with the accident report. Thank you very much. I appreciate any information and hope to visit a P2V plane recently assigned to Gillespie Field as part of the San Diego Air & Space Museum collection, even though it may well up feelings of loss these many years ago. Best regards..." Contributed by Paul Schankin ptschankin@gmail.com [17APR2019]

"...On January 9, 1960 a VP-774 P2V , out of NAS Los Alamitos, California, ditched in the ocean about one mile off Dana Point. Four men were killed, three from exposure and one crewman, Harold Grimsley, went down with the plane. Harold left a wife and a five-month-old daughter, named Teresa. I was fortunate that I was able to provide information, about the flight, to Teresa's son, Erik, Harold's grandson, as Harold took my place on that plane and it was he who died, and not me. Teresa wants some things to remember and honor her father by. She wants a set of Aircrew Wings (no problem) and a squadron patch for Reserve Squadron VP-774. If anyone knows where such a patch can be located, Teresa, her mother and I would be most appreciative. Thank you very much..." Contributed by GEARON, Richard rickgearon@hotmail.com [23MAY2014]

"...My husband was lost January 4th, 1960 when his VP-774/VP-776 P2 Neptune crashed off the coast of Dana Point, CA. His body was never recovered..." Contributed by Betty Adams Grimsley lavenderspirits@hotmail.com [30JUN2011]

"...Here is the accident report which relates to Ralph Schankin, one of his older brothers, who was co-pilot of the Neptune that went down. Thank you...David Schankin dschankin@chartermi.net..." [28MAR2011]

"...I was in VP-774 when we lost that plane. The man that went down with the plane was on the manifest to go on the flight, but he hadn't shown up for muster all that day, so the pilot crossed his name off the list and put my name on it. About two seconds before the pilot and I left the line-shack to board the plane, the missing crew-member ran in the other door to the line-shack and yelled, "am I too late?" The pilot looked at his watch and said, "you've got two minutes to check out some gear and be at the plane." The pilot then asked the guy behind the counter for the manifest, crossed my name off, put the other guy's name back on it, turned to me, and said, "I'm really sorry, Gearon, I know how much this flight meant to you, and I promise that you will be on the very next night flight, even if someone else is the pilot." I thanked him, and never saw him again, as he was one of the ones who perished from exposure. The man who was late was the one who went down with the plane..." GEARON, Richard rickgearon@hotmail.com [02MAY2010]

"...I was looking for information on two individuals, my dad, Raymond Schankin, who was with VP-42 in the Aleutians, WWII. Also, my uncle Ralph Schankin, who was killed while flying (I believe) a Neptune. That would have been in 1960, he was a Naval Reservist and I remember that it was in February, off Dana Point. If I remember correctly he was in the right-hand seat and there were several crewmen which is why I think it was a Neptune. Unfortunately I don't know the squadron. Thank you...David Schankin dschankin@chartermi.net..." [13NOV2004]

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"VP-774 Summary Page"

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