Flight of Gold

by Kevin A. McGregor

On March 12, 1948, Northwest Airlines Flight 4422, a DC-4 with a crew of six, carrying twenty-four Merchant Marines from Shanghai to New York, crashed high up on Alaska’s Mt. Sanford. Air reconnaissance flights spotted the charred remains of the plane, but the site was too remote for recovery teams. Rumors that the plane had been transporting gold and diamonds immediately erupted and enticed treasure hunters to the mountain, but life-threatening conditions kept them from reaching what became known as "Alaska's Legendary Gold Wreck."
Flight of Gold is the first-person account of commercial airline pilot and mountain climber Kevin McGregor, who with commercial and bush pilot Marc Millican, an experiened mountain climber as well, attempted to accomplish what dozens of other expeditions failed to discover the remains of the plane and solve the mystery of the reputed treasure. Working in secret, these two daring and adventurous explorers journeyed into the vast Wrangell-Saint. Elias National Park. Facing horrific winds, avalanches, and threats of wild animals, the courageous and determined men returned year after year in search of the truth.
After four years of near-obsessive efforts, they made a monumental After half a century, wives, siblings, and children of the victims were still alive and seeking answers. Continuing their efforts for the sake of the families, McGregor and Millican made two more startling one led them into leading-edge forensics and the other gave substance to the treasure rumor.

392 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2013

Reviews

[Jessaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not think that I would like this book, thinking that maybe it was Going to be more like a Readers Digest book. Juvenile. But instead it was an Indepth study. Buy that, I mean that a lot of research went into this book. Of course, at times this made it Tedious reading.

I had heard of this crash years ago, but all I remember is that2 men had flown over Alaska, crashed, and the gold in the plane was never found. And maybe that was not the story I heard, but I do know that whatever was said to me, It was about this crash. The real story was that 30 people were on the plane and it was thought that they had their payroll money on the plane , maybe in gold coins. . This author uncovers the myths and the realities of what happened.

The author and a friend of his, both pilots, decide to fly up to Alaska to where the crash had Occurred. This was highly dangerous as no 1 else would venture into this territory. Also, It took them 5 years and several trips to find the truth. He called his hiking Extreme hiking. I should add this, it was also Extreme flying. .

[Cory Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book appealed to me for numerous reasons. I've always had a fascination for the old prop airplanes (specifically the DC-4, a model of which hangs from the ceiling in my garage) and have flown all over the state of Alaska (and Washington) in smaller prop planes. My inner pilot loved this book more than the 5 stars allowed me to give it. I've been on epic fishing trips to Alaska in 2009, 2010, 2015 and 2016. Reading this book allowed me to go back for yet another visit. Additionally, I have always been a sucker for a true life treasure hunt story and have loved reading non-fiction scientific expeditions over the years. This book hit home with me on so many levels. I took my time and read every last bit of printed word in it. I put his book in a small (yet revered) class of pilot themed books, which I would highly recommend for anyone with an interest in any aspect of the flying industry.

[Michelle Schulten · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an adventure! Best true adventure story in recent times.

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the history aspects were interesting and liked learning more about something I've never heard about.

But I didn't love the author's execution in writing out the story. Skimmed quite a bit.

[Laurie Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kevin McGregor brings to life the true story of he and pilot friend, Marc Millican’s, search for Flight 4422, the Northwest Airlines flight that crashed in 1948 rumored to be carrying gold. McGregor recounts the many adventures in their attempt to locate the plane, its missing passengers, and contents. It is an exciting journey which finally brought closure to the families of the passengers. Well reasearched and written. A must read for explorers, pilots, and adventurers.

[Mary Wherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good to read a nonfiction book again. It kept my interest. The author/pilot was a better writer than I expected.