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| The Crash Site Marker Author's Photo |
Historically, not everyone has had sentimental thoughts as they glanced at the mountain’s long rocky crest. There was one group that saw Mount Nittany not as a friend, but as an adversary capable of causing certain death. For airmail pilots, the mountain could spell disaster.
The U.S. Postal Air Mail Service was established in May 1918. Flight was still in its infancy and planes of the era had more in common with kites in their construction. Landing strips were built across the United States for refueling planes and loading mail. In 1918, an airfield was built in Bellefonte and would remain in service until July 1925 when a new field was built further south to better accommodate nighttime navigation.
Bellefonte's field was the first scheduled stop along the New York to Chicago mail route. Most of Central Pennsylvania was situated in what was known to pilots as the “Hell Stretch.” Much of the route was mountainous and prone to freak or sudden changes in weather. More airmen would die along this section of sky than anywhere else along the route. Keep in mind, this is a time without modern navigational aides, radios, or instantaneous weather reporting. Booklets were printed to help pilots recognize key landmarks and terrain features such as road intersections or prominent hills. Beacon light towers were erected along the route to guide pilots at night and during severe weather.
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| The second airfield with Mount Nittany in the background Photo Retrieved From: bellefontehearts.org |
One of the brave men who dared against these challenging odds was James Douglas "Jimmy" Cleveland. On May 24, 1931, James was enroute to Bellefonte from New York. This was not his first flight on the route. He had flown this stretch of skies for 18 months previously. Around 1:00 AM, James approached the Bellefonte airfield. Rather than cross Mount Nittany at Hecla (Mingoville) as was the normal route, James flew up Penns Valley and chose to fly over the mountain above the airfield.
What exactly happened as James approached the field is unknown, although it appears the Hell Stretch's freak weather played a role. According to one source, a misty rain was falling at the time. This combined with near freezing temperatures could have caused ice to accumulate on the wings and control surfaces and affecting controllability. Other sources report that a freak and aggressive snow storm may have caught James by surprise. All we know is what happened next.
What exactly happened as James approached the field is unknown, although it appears the Hell Stretch's freak weather played a role. According to one source, a misty rain was falling at the time. This combined with near freezing temperatures could have caused ice to accumulate on the wings and control surfaces and affecting controllability. Other sources report that a freak and aggressive snow storm may have caught James by surprise. All we know is what happened next.
Lacking the altitude to clear the top of the mountain, his plane slammed into the peak in a fiery explosion. Workmen waiting for Cleveland’s plane witnessed the flash of the explosion from the field in the valley below. Being already dark, nothing could be done until daybreak. An extensive ground and aerial search began as soon as light allowed.
A spotter plane located the wreck and ground searchers ascended the mountain from a forestry road below the peak. All that remained of James' plane was the metal frame and the engine that had been ripped off during impact. His body was found burned beyond recognition in the twisted cockpit. Out of over 1,000 pounds of mail onboard, only one letter was found somewhat intact. An autopsy later revealed that James had perished from the force of impact rather than the resulting explosion. He was just 26 years old. His remains were later transported to his native Ohio for burial.
A spotter plane located the wreck and ground searchers ascended the mountain from a forestry road below the peak. All that remained of James' plane was the metal frame and the engine that had been ripped off during impact. His body was found burned beyond recognition in the twisted cockpit. Out of over 1,000 pounds of mail onboard, only one letter was found somewhat intact. An autopsy later revealed that James had perished from the force of impact rather than the resulting explosion. He was just 26 years old. His remains were later transported to his native Ohio for burial.
James Cleveland had not been Mount Nittany's first victim. In October 1925, veteran pilot Charles Ames perished in a crash just four miles north when his primitive altimeter malfunctioned leading him to believe he was flying higher than he really was. However, the resulting crash did not lead to an explosion and the mail onboard was able to be recovered after an exhaustive search.
Two years after Cleveland’s death, airmail in Bellefonte met its demise. The U.S. Postal Service transferred air mail to commercial carriers. These long range airliners no longer required a refueling stop at Bellefonte or other small town airfields. No longer needed, the field was abandoned. Bellefonte’s high school was later built upon the original airfield site. The second airstrip is now a farm field near the Graymont quarry between Zion and Pleasant Gap.
Two years after Cleveland’s death, airmail in Bellefonte met its demise. The U.S. Postal Service transferred air mail to commercial carriers. These long range airliners no longer required a refueling stop at Bellefonte or other small town airfields. No longer needed, the field was abandoned. Bellefonte’s high school was later built upon the original airfield site. The second airstrip is now a farm field near the Graymont quarry between Zion and Pleasant Gap.
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| The second airfield in 1938 after it was abandoned. The white marker is still visible Penn Pilot Photo |
In 1970, James’ brother, Dr. William Cleveland and several others erected a stone marker at the crash site atop the mountain. A hiking trail was later blazed up to the site. The trek is very peaceful and serene, but not for first time hikers. Maneuvering over the rocky switch-backs can be treacherous for those who are unprepared for such terrain. The climb is certainly worth it when the monument and vista come into view. Near the marker is a stone cairn where several rusty mangled parts of James' plane have been placed. One piece appears to be a landing gear strut.
Please be respectful towards the site and take a moment to acknowledge the incredible bravery of pilots like Jimmy Cleveland. Use caution as you descend the mountain, as it is just as dangerous as the ascent. The James Cleveland Trail offers a unique experience to those who wish to explore the outdoors and witness a part of this region’s fascinating history first hand.
Day, M. Chambers, G. (2013). Woodland Cemetery. Acadia Publishing. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?id=oc0L2WXQrxwC&pg=PA28&dq=james+cleveland+air+mail+pilot&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiLtv_x_oriAhVQA6wKHermAEsQ6AEIKjAA#v=onepage&q=james%20cleveland%20air%20mail%20pilot&f=false
Democratic watchman. (Bellefonte,PA). 29 May 1931.Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive. Retrieved fromhttps://panewsarchive.psu.edu/lccn/sn83031981/1931-05-29/ed-1/seq-8/#date1=01%2F01%2F1931&city=&date2=12%2F31%2F1931&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&index=1&words=Cleveland+James&county=&frequency=&ortext=&proxtext=James+Cleveland&phrasetext=&andtext=&rows=20&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
Evening star. (Washington, D.C.), 25 May 1931. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Retrieved from https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1931-05-25/ed-1/seq-1/
Jackson, D. (2008). Slim Lewis slept here. Air and Space Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/slim-lewis-slept-here-9166788/
Newcomer, M. (2005). Bellefonte Field. Airmail Research Project. Retrieved from http://www.airmailart.com/bellefonte.htm
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| The monument and the cairn atop the mountain Author's Photo |
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| Another view of the wreckage on the cairn Author's Photo |
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| The James Cleveland Trail (Nittany Valley side). Trail maintenance is conducted by a local Boy Scout Troop Author's Photo |
Information Retrieved From:
Democratic watchman. (Bellefonte,PA). 29 May 1931.Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive. Retrieved fromhttps://panewsarchive.psu.edu/lccn/sn83031981/1931-05-29/ed-1/seq-8/#date1=01%2F01%2F1931&city=&date2=12%2F31%2F1931&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&index=1&words=Cleveland+James&county=&frequency=&ortext=&proxtext=James+Cleveland&phrasetext=&andtext=&rows=20&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
Evening star. (Washington, D.C.), 25 May 1931. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Retrieved from https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1931-05-25/ed-1/seq-1/
Jackson, D. (2008). Slim Lewis slept here. Air and Space Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/slim-lewis-slept-here-9166788/
Newcomer, M. (2005). Bellefonte Field. Airmail Research Project. Retrieved from http://www.airmailart.com/bellefonte.htm
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