World War II Navy Helldiver Bomber Airplane Raised in Otay Lakes

A rare World War II plane that has been sitting at the bottom of Lower Otay Reservoir for more than 65 years was raised today.

For over 60 years, the Navy SB2C-4 Helldiver sat about 90 feet below the surface of the lake just East of the Arco Olympic Training Center near Eastlake, (Chula Vista) California.

In February 2009 Duane Johnson was out on his boat looking for bass when he noticed a strange object on his fish finder.

“We saw what looked like a two by four or something… something wasn’t right,” Johnson said. “As I’m looking at the picture more I see a tail on it.”

After a year and a half of investigations, former Navy Capt. Bob Rasmussen is overseeing the recovery project that he only dreamed of. He’s the director of the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, Fla.

“There are only three or four SB2C Helldivers in existence anywhere and this is one of them,” said Rasmussen.

E.D. Frazar was forced to ditch the Helldiver in Lower Otay Lake on May 28, 1945 when the engine failed. He and Army gunner Joseph Metz swam safely to shore.

“When they were coming in over the lake, they were on a target run and the engine blew up, so they had to ditch because they weren’t high enough to bail out,” according to Joseph Metz’ son Jim.

Dick Frazar, the pilot’s son, flew his own single-engine plane from Texas to witness the event. “It’s not about my dad, it’s about the heritage and the legacy of our country. The fact that the aircraft is being recovered is really cool.”

The plane’s ultimate destination will be at the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, Florida.

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