Robert Calhoon of Lakewood was piloting his bright red Stinson four-seat airplane on the evening of April 15, 1954, returning from a fishing trip in Mexico with two other men, Robert Browning and Tim Lennies. Calhoon planned to land at Long Beach Airport, but it was fogged in. He continued through the fog until he realized he was lost.

The plane eventually ended up over Riverside, although the pilot didn’t realize that was where he was. Calhoon circled the city, trying to find March Air Force Base, but was unsuccessful. Unfortunately, the plane’s radio was dead and Calhoon couldn’t get guidance. Police Officer Danny Avila saw the plane circling and dipping low as if in search of a landing place, and realized it was in trouble. He called in reinforcements. He and other officers as well as

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