Trans World Airlines / United Air Lines, Lockheed L-1049 (N6902C) / Douglas DC-7 (N6324C) Mid-Air Collision, Grand Canyon, AZ - P

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June 30, 1956: Trans World Airlines / United Air Lines, Lockheed L-1049 (N6902C) / Douglas DC-7 (N6324C) Mid-Air Collision, Grand Canyon, AZ - P...

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LOSTFLIGHTS > Grand Canyon Aviation Archaeology > June 30, 1956: Trans World Share Slideshow Airlines / United Air Lines, Lockheed L-1049 (N6902C) / Douglas DC-7 (N6324C) Mid-Air Collision, Grand Canyon, AZ ACCIDENT SYNOPSIS:

June 30, 1956. Two transcontinental airliners departed three minutes apart from Los Angeles International Airport in California. Trans World Airlines Flight 2, (N6902C), a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation en-route to Kansas City, MO and then continuing to Baltimore/Washington D.C. TWA Flight 2 carried 70 passengers and crew, many of which were TWA employees and families traveling on company passes. United Air Lines Flight 718 was a Douglas DC-7, (N6324C) bound for Chicago, IL with 58 passengers and crew.

Based on their destinations and routes, both aircraft would be flying converging courses to their destinations; however a request for altitude change by TWA Flight 2 due to weather brought both aircraft to fly at a cruising altitude of 21,000 feet. Another engine section and what appears to be a flap section At 1030 AM (PST), both aircraftawaits collided removal over eastern from thethe Grandeast rimCanyon by salvagein Northern crews. Arizona. There were no warnings, no alerts, and no survivors among the 128 persons. Only a garbled distress call received from United flight 718 would give any hint of a problem.Weeks after the salvage operation was completed, it was discovered that salvage crews left a large amount of wreckage After an hour of repeatedbehind calls that from was air traffic not recyclable.control, the two The flights Navaho were officially Indians reported complained as missing and overdue. A search for the airliners was initiatedand more by several wreckage military was and removedstate agencies, from but their it was lands. Palen Hudgin and his brother flying an air tour with Grand Canyon Airlines that would later recall seeing smoke near Temple Butte earlier in the day. The two returned before dark and confirmed the impact site of the TWA Constellation on the northeast slope of Temple Butte. Not far from the burning wreckage was the Constellation's distinctive triple tail smashed against the boulders.

Authorities acted quickly on the Hudgin's report of the downed aircraft and the following morning a military helicopter would not only confirm the brother's sighting, but also discovered the smoldering impact site of the DC-7 atop a 1,000 foot ledge of Chuar Butte. At the time it was the worst air disaster in the history of civil aviation.

*********************************************************************************************************************************** HISTORICAL SUMMARY:

The following photos depict this historical but tragic event in aviation history. As a result of this accident many improvements were made to the national airspace system such as nationwide radar coverage and ATC transponder requirements. After a series of congressional hearings, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was also created as a result of this tragedy.

Since 1990, I have made five trips into the Grand Canyon to map and document the impact sites and remaining wreckage. Each examination visit required a 6-7 day backpacking trip (40+ miles) as well as a solo crossing by raft of the Colorado River to reach the sites.

http://lostflights.smugmug.com/Grand-Canyon-Aviation/63056-Trans-World/4906723_95VsW3/11[9/13/2012 9:10:34 AM] June 30, 1956: Trans World Airlines / United Air Lines, Lockheed L-1049 (N6902C) / Douglas DC-7 (N6324C) Mid-Air Collision, Grand Canyon, AZ - P...

NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK:

I am currently working in cooperation with the Grand Canyon National Park to help establish the entire crash site area as a National Landmark Historical Site. This designation would further protect this historical resource for future generations. To further the nomination, the National Park Service (NPS) would like to hear from descendants of the victims in an effort to let them know that the sites are being considered as a National Historic Landmark. I will be more than happy to direct any questions or comments regarding this nomination to the NPS or you can email NPS Vanishing Treasures Archaeologist Ian Hough directly at: [email protected]

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WRECKAGE RECOVERY OPERATION - 1976

Salvage crews dismantling wreckage on the east rim during the October 1976 clean-up operation. (1976 NPS Photo)

Wreckage was placed on the Navaho Indian Reservation. Parts were then cut into smaller pieces and loaded onto trucks for a salvage yard in Tucson.

Bell 206 Helicopters were used to sling wreckage from the impact sites and surrounding areas. Some parts were observed to fall back into the canyon as they were being lifted out of the canyon.

Wreckage lined this remote dirt road on the east rim during the wreckage removal operation of 1976. Gone to the scrap yard was the Lockheed Constellation's triple tail section and most of the wreckage from both main impact sites. (1976 NPS Photo)

An engine and tire are some of more recognizable parts laid out for removal and salvage. (1976 NPS Photo)

Another engine section and what appears to be a flap section awaits removal from the east rim by salvage crews.

Weeks after the salvage operation was completed, it was discovered that salvage crews left a large amount of wreckage behind that was not recyclable. The Navaho Indians complained and more wreckage was removed from their lands.

LOSTFLIGHTS SITE EXAMINATION VISITS 1990-2006

Topographic map showing the crash site area as well as the confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers. A portion of the Beamer Trail follows the Colorado River and is marked by the red dashed line.

The beginning of my hikes to the crash site area starts here at Lipan Point on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The Tanner Trail originates here.

Two days and 18 miles to go. Morning on top of the Red Wall. Tanner Trail to the left of the tent. (2006 Examination Trip)

Stopping for a photo on the Tanner Trail below the red wall formation. The pack in the photo weighs about 90 pounds. (2002 Examination Trip)

Twilight in Grand Canyon. I took this photo in October 1990 on my first night camping in the canyon. The point of light visible on the canyon rim is the Desert View Watchtower. The constellation of stars is Scorpio (1990 Examination Trip)

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Gallery Comments | hide gallery comments | Add Comment page: 1 2 3 4 >

1. LOSTFLIGHTS wrote about this gallery on Aug 22nd

Thank you to all those surviving family members that have visited my story/photos on this accident. To recap, The National Park Service at Grand Canyon has been very pro-active in recent years to preserve and protect the crash site locations in respect for not only the historical importance of this accident, but to those passengers and flight crews that lost their lives in this tragedy. The accident site is in the process for being nominated as a National Historic Landmark. If you would like to express your support or comments about the nomination you can send an email to [email protected] or write to Mr. Ian Hough (NPS Vanishing Treasures Archaeologist) at [email protected]

Thank you, Mike McComb

2. Guest wrote about this gallery on Aug 21st

Two of my family members died in that crash. Wallace Hatcher and his wife, Mildred.

3. Gary Kole wrote about this gallery on Jun 30th

Years ago my mom told me her first cousin Roberta Wilde, was killed over the Grand Canyon, at the time i was 6 years old so i dont remember Roberta, but I did get to know her parents. This is a great tribute to her, and the others who parished. I had never looked up any information on the incident before and found it chilling to look this information up on the 53 anniversary of the crash date. Thanks for all your information as it was put together very well.

4. Barbara Joyce, Jane Embery Williams wrote about this gallery on Apr 12th

Dear Nancy:

I want to know how your mother is doing. I can't get in touch through mail or facebook. Mail was sent back undeliverable.

I have some wonderful pictures of your grandmother when she was younger and I would like to send them to you as it is part of your family's history.

I can be reached at the [email protected].

Thank you.

Barbara Joyce and Jane Embery Williams

5. LOSTFLIGHTS wrote about this gallery on Jan 7th

Thank you Bob for your comment. It is always a welcome to hear about a flight crewmember of this accident. I am planning on visiting the Kansas City area this year to followup some research for the book I am writing about this accident.

6. Bob wrote about this gallery on Jan 6th

The TWA Flight Engineer, Forest Breyfogle, was a member of the church in which I grew up, North Cross United Methodist Church in Kansas City. In memory of "Brey", a large brick and steel cross tower was erected in front of the church. Due to age, it was recently rebuilt. His widow was at it's rededication in 2011. Memorial gifts for my father, who passed away in 2011, are going to provide for extensive landscaping around the tower base.

7. Nancy Camp wrote about this gallery on Nov 21st

here is my email

8. LOSTFLIGHTS wrote about this gallery on Nov 21st

Hi Nancy: I cannot seem to contact you through your email address. Do have another way to contact you? I would like to ask you some questions about your family member that perished in this accident.

9. Nancy Camp wrote about this gallery on Nov 21st

Elizabeth Francis Doering was my grandmother. I was 8 years old when she died in this crash. My mother, Anna Elizabeth Doering Brooks, was devastated, as were her entire family. I was also named Elizabeth for my Grandmother. I too enjoyed seeing these old photos and hearing the stories about the tragic events leading up to this accident. I will pass along this information to the rest of my family members.

10. Barb Joyce wrote about this gallery one year ago

How interesting these photographs are. My great aunt Elizabeth Frances Doering was aboard the UAL Flight. They never recovered her body or her possessions. My sister is named after her, as is my daughter Elizabeth. This was a great tragedy for our family. Thank you for the opportunity to see the wreckage area. These photographs are interesting and will be shared with my family.

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