Did You Know About This Deadly Plane Crash That Happened Right Here in Arizona?

Life teaches us that everything is all about balance. This means we can’t have all the happy and beautiful things. If we go back in time, you’d understand that Arizona also has its fair share of dark days remembered throughout history. This includes the horrific mid-air collision in the Grand Canyon that shook the world to its core. Here’s what you should know about the deadly plane crash in Arizona:

The Collision That Left More Than Hundreds of Passengers Dead

Source: Imgur.com

If you’re an aviation person living in Arizona, or just an aviation enthusiast in general, you’ve probably heard about the plane crash in the Grand Canyon.

The morning of June 30, 1956, proved to be one of the darkest days of Arizona. Two flights set off on journeys across the country and just struck into each other. It was the single most deadly plane disaster in United States history at the time. It took the lives of all 128 passengers and crew aboard both planes.

Deadly Plane Crash in Arizona: How Did This Happen?

Source: Federal Aviation Administration

There were two flights during that day: the Trans World Airlines Star (Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation) en route to Kansas City, and the Mainliner Vancouver of United Airlines (Douglas DC-7) bound for Chicago. Both of these planes departed from the Los Angeles International Airport.

Source: Imgur.com

The pilots were both competent and had already flown the route countless times. Unfortunately, this was an ill-fated day that would inevitably lead everyone to danger.

Captain Jack Gandy of Trans World Airlines Star just requested clearance to fly 1,000 feet over the clouds which were then forming thunderheads. It was a standard request. Naturally, it was approved. Since the maneuver put the plane in uncontrolled airspace, they all had to make sure they maintain safe separation from other aircraft. This is the “see and be seen” procedure. It’s been changed to “see and avoid” ever since this accident.

According to official investigations, the flight course wasn’t meant to intersect with the other aircraft. It is a fact even when Captain Gandy shifted the plane. In fact, all aircraft flying without outside help in such conditions are supposed to follow visual flight rules. This includes avoiding the clouds to maintain its visibility. When the weather in the area worsened, the two pilots requested to shift the plane to avoid the cumulus clouds forming. But the two aircraft intersected over the Grand Canyon and collided strongly at an angle of about 25 degrees.

See these computer generated renders of how the crash happened…. 

The Official Investigation

Source: Salt Lake Tribune Archives

Many investigators believe that both flights passed the same cloud from opposite sides. The United flight banked to the right at the last moment, suggesting that the pilots saw the Trans World Airlines just before impact, and attempted an evasive action.

The 128 people on board all perished as the collision sent both planes plummeting downwards. The Trans World Airlines flight landed in the Temple Butte area. On the other hand, the United Plane fell on the south side of Chuar Butte. This deadly plane crash in Arizona was the most horrific aircraft accident at the time. It was also only the one with triple-digit deaths. It was that intense.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board former managing director Peter Goelz, the accident was a see-and-avoid situation for the pilots. The pilots didn’t receive any warning about the impending danger. They also didn’t know they were flying in the same area and at the same altitude. If only the aircraft had a more accurate radar technology… perhaps, both planes never would have crashed into each other.

The United flight carried 53 passengers and five crew. On the other hand, the Trans World plane had 64 passengers and six crew, as well as 11 off-duty employees.

A Wake-Up Call for the Aviation Industry

Source: Salt Lake Tribune Archives

The standards of air control were primitive at the time, and it, unfortunately, resulted in the loss of many lives.

This deadly plane crash in Arizona resulted in improved regulations which include automated collision avoidance systems, as well as new radar technology to eliminated dead spaces.

The congressional hearings in 1957 also saw the increased funding for hiring and training air traffic controllers. As for the other breakthroughs in safety, the aviation industry developed TKS de-icing systems and ground-warning proximity devices.

But the simple and most basic improvement has something to do with communication. The pilots flew the aircraft in the way they had been instructed to fly it. Why? At the time, air traffic controllers were prohibited from advising pilots of potential traffic conflicts.

Remembering the Deadly Plane Crash in Arizona

Source: The Vegas Tourist

You can head to the common burial site located in Citizen’s Cemetery, Flagstaff.

If you are also visiting the Desert View Watchtower, you might notice the humble plaque on the side. You should definitely look for the inscription before focusing on the stunning Grand Canyon views. The inscription says the site “represents a watershed moment in the modernization of America’s airways.” It is proof of one of the darkest days of the state. The plaque also reminds us of the aviation industry’s greater advancements in safety.

The next time you visit the Grand Canyon, you’ll probably remember this deadly plane crash in Arizona that changed history forever.