GENE MARTIN STATION AGENT, SENIOR STATION AGENT, STATION MANAGER 1956 - 1986 OLF MLS BIL I was with Frontier from Apr 56 to Aug 86 working at the OLF, MLS and BIL stations. After Frontier was shut down I went to work for Continental until Jun 94 at which time I took retirement. We keep ourselves busy during the summer months traveling, fishing and camping. My wife, Carolyn, and I are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary in Apr of this year. An event I will never forget is the crash of DC3 flight 32 at Miles City, MT. on March 12, 1964. I was Station Manager and working that evening. My agent Gayle Bussinger was on board flight 32 returning from Billings. The time of the crash was at 8:50PM or very close to that and the site was about I 1/2 miles from the runway. The area consisted of rolling hills and ground transportation was difficult therefore the crash site was not found until around midnight. My last contact with Flight 32 was at 8:47PM after giving him a local traffic check and since the wind was blowing 20 gust to 30 knots I asked him if he wanted the rudder lock on the runway and replied "Yes", which was acknowledge at 8:47PM. I then got prepared to take the rudder lock out to meet the fight. A light snow shower was passing through the area at this time. After waiting for about 5 minutes I got out of my car and went back into the station to determine where he was because he should have been on the ground by now. I could not get an answer from him on the radio and the Flight Service Station was not getting a response either. I then initiated an "overdue flight" emergency procedure. I was kept on the phone until the aircraft was located which was around midnight. After the wreckage was spotted I notified the local sheriffs to secure the area until the investigators arrive. A DC3 with company officials, FAA and CAB investigators arrived Miles City around 3:30AM. Elton Snoke and Carl Foster arrived on this flight. After my first flight out that morning they advised me to go home and get some rest. I did but after several phone calls I decide to go back to the airport. Moe Osborne was relief agent in our area so he was brought in to help. Red Barringer, on station leave at this time, accepted to return to work. Getting an experienced agent was very much appreciated. The tail section bearing the number N61442 was the only recognizable piece of the aircraft at its final resting place. The right wing was on a hill side about � mile west. Probable cause, per the CAB was "The descent below obstructing terrain, for reasons undeterminable, during an instrument approach in adverse weather conditions". May they rest in peace. -Gene Martin (1/31/02) I found your account of the MLS accident very interesting. Tex Searle sent me a copy of the CAB accident report. It says there were five people on board. Was that fifth person a non-rev or revenue passenger? Would you by chance have a clipping or something with their name? Any other info you can share about this tragedy wouldd be appreciated. The FO was Dan Gough - his son who was born several months after the crash has been in touch with me. I'll send him your info. I also plan to use it in the NEWS. -Jake Lamkins (2/7/02) The fifth passenger was a revenue passenger from Columbus, No. Dak. that was on board the fatal aircraft accident at Miles City. I will run a copy of the article that appeared in the Miles City Star after the accident to you that gives a pretty good description of the accident. I will try and get that in the mail soon. -Gene Martin (2/12/02) I appreciate it very much. I'm looking forward to seeing the copy. Dan Gough's son appreciated your account too. -Jake Lamkins (2/12/02) The news articles appeared in the Miles City Star. The captain, Ken Huber was born and raised at Plevna, Montana which is located about 75 miles east, southeast of Miles City, Montana. Got any more questions, please feel free to ask. Thanks -Gene Martin (2/26/02) Gene Martin (wife: Carolyn) My date of hire was April 6, 1956 and I was with FAL until the end - August 15, 1986. I started as an Agent in OLF from April, �56 to March, 1958 then became Manager. Moved to MLS as Manager in December of 1963 and stayed until March, 1970 when I came to Billings. I was an Agent for two years then a Senior Agent until the end. After FAL I worked at Continental as a supervisor until my retirement in June 1994. -2003 BIL Reunion booklet (5/13/05) I was visiting with Gene Martin, a long time senior agent in BIL and manager at MLS. Gene was on the night the DC-3 was flying below the terrain. Us agents what worked with Gene have heard from him personal things that never showed up in company or FAA reports. If you think that Gene's rememberances of this might be of interest to the readers. A request from you for his views would be all that he would need. Gene's health is failing and much of his time is spent on his computer. Gene's address is gencarmar@bresnan.net. Just an idea. -Ron Huet (3/9/06) I noticed in the Billings Gazette this morning, that Gene Martin has died. He was 77. -Darrell Robson (1/31/07) Do you have Gene telephone #. Would like to give his wife a call.... Thanks, -Marv Pester (2/2/07) Caroline, (Gene's wife) passed away about a year ago from cancer. I'm not sure what all of Gene's problems were, but I do know that he's been on O2 for quite some time. -Darrell Robson (2/2/07) Thanks, I appreciate your follow throught. Been out of touch with the old Frontier Family and was sad to hear about Gene and Caroline. Thanks again, -Marv Pester (2/3/07) Thanks so very much for keeping us all informed of the FL Family. Real shock to hear about both Gene Martin and Marty Martin. -Red Barringer (7/26/07) Posted at FLacebook and the FL Club: BIL senior station agent Gene Martin's memorial webpage has been updated. http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Gene_Martin.html Added five items and moved to a non-ad website. -Jake Lamkins (8/19/13)