1956 Grand Canyon mid-air collision facts for kids
| Accident summary | |
|---|---|
| Date | June 30, 1956 |
| Summary | Mid-air collision due to inadequate ATC system |
| Place | Grand Canyon, Arizona, U.S. |
| Total fatalities | 128 |
| Total survivors | 0 |
| First aircraft | |
.jpg) A United Airlines DC-7, similar to the one in the accident |
|
| Type | Douglas DC-7 Mainliner |
| Name | Mainliner Vancouver |
| Airline/user | United Airlines |
| Registration | N6324C |
| Flew from | Los Angeles Int'l Airport |
| Flying to | Chicago Midway Airport |
| Passengers | 53 |
| Crew | 5 |
| Fatalities | 58 |
| Survivors | 0 |
| Second aircraft | |
 The Lockheed L-1049A Super Constellation involved |
|
| Type | Lockheed L-1049A Super Constellation |
| Name | Star of the Seine |
| Airline/user | Trans World Airlines |
| Registration | N6902C |
| Flew from | Los Angeles Int'l Airport |
| Flying to | Kansas City Downtown Airport |
| Passengers | 64 |
| Crew | 6 |
| Fatalities | 70 |
| Survivors | 0 |
The Grand Canyon mid-air collision occurred in the western United States on Saturday, June 30, 1956, when a United Airlines Douglas DC-7 struck a Trans World Airlines Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation over Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. All 128 on board both flights perished, making it the first commercial airline incident to exceed one hundred fatalities. The flights had departed Los Angeles International Airport minutes apart for Chicago and Kansas City, respectively.
The collision took place in uncontrolled airspace, where it was the pilots' responsibility to maintain separation ("see and be seen"). This highlighted the antiquated state of air traffic control, which became the focus of major aviation reforms.
Contents
Aircraft
A total of two airplanes were involved in the collision. These planes were:
United Airlines Flight 718 - nicknamed Mainliner Vancouver, the aircraft was a Douglas DC-7. The airplane had an aircraft registration of N6324C. The aircraft carried a total of 58 people (53 passengers and 5 crew members). The aircraft was flying under the orders of pilot Robert F. Shirley, co-pilot Robert W. Harms,and flight engineer Gerard Fiore.
Trans World Airlines Flight 2 - nicknamed Star of the Seine, the aircraft was a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation. The aircraft had an aircraft registration of N6902C. The aircraft carried 70 people (64 passengers and 6 crew members). The aircraft was flying under the orders of pilot Jack S. Gandy, co-pilot James H. Ritner, and flight engineer Forrest D. Breyfogle.
Collision
At about 11:31 AM MST, the track of both airplanes intersected over the canyon, and they hit each other.
Gallery
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A United Airlines DC-7, similar to the one in the accident.
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An airplane part from TWA Flight 2 that broke off during the collision. The image was taken by park rangers. as part of the collision investigation.
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The burial site and memorial for the civilians on board TWA Flight 2. The memorial site is located in Flagstaff, Arizona.
A photograph of the TWA funeral by Life Magazine in 1956
Images for kids
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The Grand Canyon sites of the two aircraft impacts.
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Close-up of plaque honoring TWA passengers and crew, Citizens Cemetery
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Colisión aérea en el Gran Cañón de 1956 para niños
