Northrop F-89 Scorpion & the Disappearance of Felix Moncla

Aircraft Information

  • Model: Northrop F-89 Scorpion
  • Type: Twin-engined, all-weather interceptor
  • Era of Operation: 1950s
  • Design Purpose: The first jet-powered aircraft designed as an all-weather interceptor from its inception.
  • Key Features:
    • Straight wings, limiting performance but suitable for the interceptor role.
    • Among the earliest USAF jet fighters to be equipped with guided missiles.
    • First combat aircraft armed with air-to-air nuclear weapons, specifically the Genie unguided rocket.

Incident Overview: The Disappearance of Felix Moncla

On November 23, 1953, 2nd Lt. Felix Moncla and radar operator Robert L. Wilson vanished while piloting an F-89 Scorpion over Lake Superior. This event remains one of the most mysterious aviation incidents in history and has since become the basis of numerous theories, including UFO encounters and navigational errors.

Mission Details

Purpose: The F-89 was scrambled to intercept an unidentified object detected by radar in restricted airspace near the Soo Locks, a critical waterway.

Radar Contact: Radar operators on the ground tracked Moncla’s jet as it approached the unknown object. According to reports, the radar signature of the F-89 merged with that of the unidentified object, and both disappeared from the radar scope.

Possible Theories

  • Pilot Vertigo or Spatial Disorientation:
    • Moncla was known to have suffered from vertigo during previous missions. Pilots experiencing spatial disorientation can misjudge altitude and position, leading to fatal crashes.
  • Collision:
    • The merging radar signals could indicate a collision with the unknown object, whether another aircraft or something unrecorded.
  • UFO Encounter:
    • The incident has fueled speculation of an encounter with a UFO, given the lack of wreckage or recovery of the aircraft. Some suggest that the object Moncla was pursuing was extraterrestrial in origin.
  • Mechanical Failure:
    • As an early jet-powered interceptor, the F-89 had its share of mechanical issues, which could have contributed to the accident.

Search and Recovery

Despite extensive searches, neither the F-89 Scorpion nor the bodies of Moncla and Wilson were ever recovered. The unexplained disappearance adds to the intrigue surrounding the event, often referred to as the Kinross Incident, named after Kinross Air Force Base (now Kincheloe Air Force Base) in Michigan, where the mission originated.

Legacy and Memorials

Felix Moncla Memorial:

  • Located at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Moreauville, Louisiana, honoring Moncla’s sacrifice and service.

Cultural Impact:

  • The incident is often featured in UFO lore and aviation mystery discussions.
  • It highlights the challenges faced by pilots during the early jet age, balancing advanced technology with significant risks.

Resources for Further Research

  • National Archives: Declassified military records and radar logs may provide insights into the incident.
  • UFO Research Organizations: Groups like MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) often include details of the Kinross Incident in their archives.
  • Books on Aviation Mysteries: Many include discussions of the disappearance of Moncla and Wilson.

Conclusion

The disappearance of Lt. Felix Moncla and radar operator Robert L. Wilson remains a compelling unsolved aviation mystery. Whether attributed to navigational challenges, mechanical failure, or an encounter with an unidentified object, the incident underscores the bravery of Cold War-era pilots and the complexities of early jet aviation.