Aviation Was Never The Same Again (1956 Grand Canyon Mid-air Collision) - DISASTER BREAKDOWN

If you found this video to be interesting, be sure to subscribe as there is a new video every Saturday. This video also went out to my Patrons on Patreon 48 hours before going out publicly. Consider joining here from £1 per month: / disasterbreakdown
Twitter: / chloe_howiecb
Music/Personal Channel: / @chloehowie
Twitch: / chloe_canaria
On June 30, 1956, Commercial Passenger Aviation changed forever. At the time, the deadliest commercial aviation accident to ever occur unfolded in the skies above the Natural Wonder known as the Grand Canyon. The lives of 128 people were tragically cut short as the wreckage of two different planes were found nestled in various parts of the Grand Canyon. When investigators pieced together the events of the day, they discovered massive oversights, holes in safety and the lack of necessary systems to keep passengers safe.
Sources:
web.archive.org/web/201502201...
aviation-safety.net/database/...
www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash...
www.lostflights.com/Grand-Can...
www.fss.aero/accident-reports...
/ into-the-abyss-the-195...

[@DisasterBreakdown]

If you found this video to be interesting, be sure to subscribe as there is a new video every Saturday. This video also went out to my Patrons on Patreon 48 hours before going out publicly. Consider joining here from £1 per month: www.patreon.com/DisasterBreakdown Twitter: twitter.com/Chloe_HowieCB

[@robertmcghintheorca49]

Do you think you'll do a video about the 1983 Madrid Airport disaster before year's end?

[@pennywaltz4601]

Disaster breakdown could you do the Uruguayan air force flight 571 and lansa flight 508? Both these flights have incredible stories of survival from one survivor or more survivors how they survival their ordeals their stories made headlines and become stories!

[@Jose_Hunters_EWF_Remixes]

I have yet to see one of your videos which I'd consider uninteresting

[@khisel1]

So good. I've been watching for over a year but this one convinced me to go back, catch up and subscribe to not miss any new aviation-related videos. Thank you for your incredible attention to detail and story telling.

[@hia5235]

Blacks during the 50s also did very well and became entrenched in the production economy where they remain very important. Everyone did better: wasnt racial.

[@joecrammond6221]

a sad story is history would repeat itself only four years later as another United Airlines flight collided with a TWA Constelation

[@frozenuruguayball6436]

And both United aircraft were douglases they kept flying after the impact and in both the twa constellations broke up mid flight

[@shaunstrasser1]

Over New York was the second one

[@beenbomb82]

@@frozenuruguayball6436 and both of the twa planes lost their tails

[@imagaybanana2004]

It’s so eerie how similar these two crashes are.

[@paulyoung7551]

Hopefully Disaster Breakdown covers that accident in a future video.

[@lostvictims9769]

In remembrance: TWA Flight 2: Captain Jack Silvetus Gandy, 41 First Officer James Henry Ritner, 31 Flight Engineer Forrest Dean Breyfogle, 37 Supplementary Harry Harvey Allen, 35 Flight Attendant Tracine Elizabeth Armbruster, 29 Flight Attendant Beth Ellis Davis, 24 Thomas Edward Ashton Jr., 34 Robert Vernon Beatty, 23 Martha Ann Beck, 21 Stephen Robert Bishop, 19 Esther Ellen Braughton, 32 Connie June Braughton, 6 Linda Kay Braughton, 9 Lois F. Brock, 44 Lillian Estelle Carple, 39 Lawrence Zay Chatten, 42 Sally Ann Cressman, 22 Chester Arnold Crewse, 45 Helen Colleen Crewse, 15 L. Davis Robert Earl DeLonge, 37 Almeda Inez Evans, 36 Donald Lloyd Flentie, 32 Virginia Elizabeth Goppert, 45 Janice Tracy Haas, 20 William Wallace Hatcher, 42 Mildred Rogene Hatcher, 40 Janice Mae Heiser, 24 J.R. Holman James Joseph Jang, 39 Wayne Gardner Jeffrey, 32 Sidney Roland Joslin, 47 Catherine Marie Kennaley, 67 Joseph James Kite, 41 Peachie Marie Kite, 38 Linda JoAnn Kite, 6 Sharon Marie Kite, 9 Marie Jane Klemp, 30 Lois Marie Laxton Michael Anthony Laxton, 4 Mary Ellen Lytle, 37 John Otto Maag, 39 Claire Maria M. Maag, 37 Howard John Maag, 1 month William Hartzell Markey Jr., 46 Donald Keith McBain, 51 Rosalie Maude McClenny, 25 Alice Emma Meyer, 41 Andrew Jackson Nasalroad, 30 Robert Bernard Nelson, 29 Richard Curtis Noel Sr., 65 Marietta L. Noel, 60 John Walker Payne Jr., 44 Richard Darling Payne, 39 Richard Michael Payne, 14 Monica Jeanne Payne, 9 Robert Farley Perisho, 30 Dennis Phalen Neal Alan Power, 22 Edward Merrill Reaves, 40 Jeanette L. Robinson, 31 David Karn Robinson, 11 Geoffry Brian Robinson, 8 Robert Ernest Sanders, 21 Esther Sharp, 41 Robert Frank Sontag, 19 Gloria Kathleen Townsend, 34 Bessie Nathanielene Whitman, 36 Carolyn Ruth Wiley, 23 Elizabeth May Young, 40 United Flight 718: Captain Robert Forbes Shirley, 48 First Officer Robert William Harms, 36 Flight Engineer Girardo Xavier Fiore, 39 Flight Attendant Nancy Lou Kemnitz, 24 Flight Attendant Margaret Ann Shoudt, 26 Christopher Edward Balsat, 20 John Aloysius Barry Jr., 48 Phyllis C. Berman, 48 Rosemary Ferry Bishop, 40 Steven Robert Bishop, 19 Gertrude Agnes Book, 62 Frank Chambers Caple, 40 Milton Barry Carlton, 36 Carol Jean Church, 6 Frank Henry Clark, 43 Leon David Cook Jr., 38 Elizabeth R. Crider, 26 Jeffrey Louis Crider, 3 Elizabeth Francis Doering, 63 Walter Moritz Fuchs, 74 Stella Blum Fuchs, 71 Noel Henry Gottesman Jack Groshans James K. Hadfield, 33 Lillian Ruth Hahn, 36 Eugene B. Hoffman, 26 Russell Charles Huber, 74 Francis Robert Johlie II, 31 Donald F. Kehl, 46 Dee D. Kovack, 39 Ted Michael Kubiniec, 37 Ray O. Lasby Sally Lou Laughlin, 20 Theodore Henry Lyman, 33 Carl G. Matland Dwight B. Mims John J. Muldoon, 57 Gerald Murchison, 51 Floyd A. Nixon, 45 Elsie W. Osterbrook Hugo Pekruhn, 83 John George Reba, 35 Alexander Eugene Rosenblatt, 66 Russell A. Shields Jr. Carl Jeramiah Snyder, 59 Fred Robert Staecker, 11 Thomas John Sulpizio, 30 James William Tobias Jr., 32 Albert Vogt, 59 Stanley Jerome Weiss, 36 Peter Austin Whyte, 15 Albert Edward Widdifield, 50 Roberta Elaine Wilde, 31 Donald Lee Winings, 32 Wesslau Gilbert Wright Sr., 39 John Edward Yeager, 39 And 2 military passengers, whose names I have been unable to find.

[@dnfluffles772]

It hurts even more to see young children on this list...

[@RealButcher]

WOW ;-(

[@bernhardecklin7005]

Thank you.

[@bertiodvonrastenburger1129]

Really brings home the human cost, especially children and whole families........

[@lonerebeI]

So many families and young people, Godbless all of them. Poor souls

[@erlienfrommars]

If there's a particular tragedy that best describes the quote "Aviation regulations are written in blood" aside from 9/11, this is one of them, another would be the Tenerife Airport Disaster, They literally brought a lot of changes in the way we do aviation in their aftermath.

[@thelvadam2884]

all safety regulations are written in blood , not only aviation my friend !

[@BessotenJenny]

When my flight instructor handed me my first FAR that's what he told me, "This book is written in blood."

[@harrietharlow9929]

Sadly, that is very true. But not just aviation. For example it took the Titanic disaster to tighten and increase safety.

[@sarahwillett1130]

"Tombstone technology" - applies to a lot of industries, but bigtime in aviation.

[@Ramboost007]

It really is insane that at one point the United States did not have an air traffic control system that talked directly to the pilots

[@SadisticSenpai61]

It's also worth noting that the United flight had no idea that TWA was at the same altitude as them. While the TWA was told to keep an eye out for the United flight, no one thought to communicate to the United flight to keep an eye out for the TWA. It is possible that simple lack of communication may have been what doomed both flights. Maybe. If clouds were in the way, it probably wouldn't have made any difference anyway.

[@IlikeMilfs2003]

Yeah I think before few seconds from impact the UA flight came out of a cloud, visual flight rules were shaky at best

[@RichSmiley]

My mother was supposed to be on the TWA flight. My grandmother decided against it at the last minute and didn't let my mom go. Glad she did.

[@blazer7731]

Not trying to sound distasteful but that’s like some final destination stuff right there. That being said I’m also incredibly lucky to be alive as my grandmothers house in France was bombed by Americans(I think) in ww2 while she was outside or so I’ve been told.

[@byronharano2391]

Wow! Thank YAH!

[@UnitedAirlinesDC10]

How old are you? This was in 1956!

[@tovarischgrazhdanin]

ooooh that smooth transition to wide resolution and Flight Simulator footage! it was incredible to see an excellent and visually pleasing recollection of truly tragic events, thank you for your videos!

[@DisasterBreakdown]

I normally always fill in the black areas when I use older footage but I thought it was a good opportunity to try out that trick I've always wanted to do.

[@frozenuruguayball6436]

@@DisasterBreakdownI would love to know what flight sims you use!

[@ultimategino]

@@DisasterBreakdown I came here to comment the same! I don't know If everyone noticed but it was soo smooth! Nicely done

[@Schrauberella]

​@@DisasterBreakdown Chloe, you are a true gem among documentary and analytical youtubers - top notch video material and your calm voice is a cherry on top! No wait... crown jewel! ❤

[@friendlyreptile9931]

@@frozenuruguayball6436 I think he used 2 for this video and one was XP11

[@jenplinguist]

Since I've started watching these videos, I realize that I have stronger awareness of my own speech rate and intelligibility when giving my online classes, as well as how I'm using my visuals. You are so inspirational on how to do things correctly and comprehensively! These are great lessons in how slowing it down actually increases efficiency 🙂

[@scdawn8658]

Heard this story over100 times but you still managed to make it interesting. Thanks

[@DisasterBreakdown]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@stephanieparker1250]

She’s so good at giving another view on these disasters, I love it.

[@UnitedAirlinesDC10]

​@@stephanieparker1250 Wait its a girl? I checked their old videos and they sound like a man, unless they changed the voice actor

[@EpicJoshua314]

The Connie is such an iconic plane and this disaster is one of the most iconic disasters in aviation history were great lessons were learned. Interesting fact is that aviation legend, Clay Lacy was flying out of LA to Denver with United’s chief pilot that morning and overheard the Salt Lake controllers asking for UA 718 to report in.

[@robertmcghintheorca49]

I believe he said in a 2012 "Mayday" episode that he was piloting a DC-6 specifically.

[@SeekingTheLoveThatGodMeans7648]

This reminds me of the story of when there were only two automobiles in the entire state of Ohio, and they collided.

[@ohioguy215]

I live in Ohio and if the drivers drove then the way they do now, a collision would not surprise me in the least.

[@TheRealityfades]

Oh yea

[@antman5474]

The similarities between this collision and the Miller field collision of a United Airlines DC8 and a TWA Constellation are eerie. Both collisions resulted in the same number of onboard fatalities, 128. Both collisions resulted in the United Airlines wing slicing of a section of the Connie's fuselage resulting in complete loss of control on the Connie's part. And in both collisions the United Airlines aircraft although missing a section of wing remained airborne for a time afterwards. In the 1956 collision the port wing of the United Airlines plane sliced through the rear fuselage of the TWA and in 1960 the starboard wing sliced through the front section. Wtf

[@swampcat0712]

you know, I've studied and seen other videos about most of these disasters many times, BUT, when I watch your videos, and the eloquent way you put them together, it's like they are new all over again. thank you for the quality or your work. I love you voice btw, very soothing in spite of the content lol. Swampcat

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

I think it's always worth remembering how close to the war those aircraft were and how much knowledge was gathered from the lives lost in war era planes that saved countless lives in the here and now.

[@PTMG]

The chances of a mid air collision are so insanely improbable, it's impressive that it has ever happened at all tbh Even in a situation where they were quite literally setup for failure with intersecting flight paths, the crash still happened out of sheer dumb luck that they both happened to be sight seeing the exact same point in space at the exact same point in time, several miles off course

[@1L6E6VHF]

Though in fact, the fact that pilots were purposely flying into the Grand Canyon area to provide good views, increased the likelihood of collision.

[@chicken29843]

There's also the one from now I forget where but there was militarized airspace to the north and south of the airport and show all incoming and outgoing planes had to fly along the same strip of airspace and then of course inevitably eventually there was a mid-air collision.

[@crewrangergaming9582]

if it's a one in a million chance then we have had more than a million flights already

[@mike04574]

It happened 20 years ago

[@animula6908]

I don’t find it that improbable. Especially at airports. It’s amazing to me it doesn’t happen all the time there. 😮

[@derekwh]

Once upon a time, I worked the Ellsworth AFB RAPCON, controlling traffic into Rapid City Regional Airport. It wasn't uncommon for commercial pilots to ask for "vectors for Mt Rushmore" to give passengers a look at the monument as they were arriving into the area. So the "sightseeing" aspect of air travel isn't completely dead everywhere.

[@robertpinto6515]

I was standing outside the armory in San Bernardino that Saturday, swearing in the Navy when these planes crashed. I was unaware for 60 years about this horrible accident that ocurred then! What an unnecessary disaster, just to see a hole in the ground!

[@senabecool7232]

Chloe, we need more videos on incidents involving Mid-air collisions cause those incidents always bring about a new positive change to ATC and aircraft seperation

[@28ebdh3udnav]

I agree. Like the incident where a Jet liner had a mid air collision with U.S. Marine Corps F 4 phantom jet.

[@moiraatkinson]

I’d like to see this too. Mid air collisions are the accidents that seem the most chilling of all and slightly scary to watch.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

Even some near misses would be good... not just because everybody lived through them, but for how lessons can be learned and changes made without a horrible cost AND the occasional good chuckle for just how the course of history shifted as it were... Once in a while, a change is made that wasn't written in blood. It's kinda rare, but it's happened. ;o)

[@RBMapleLeaf]

@@28ebdh3udnav Hughes Air West Flight 706 and the F4 Phantom involved I believe it was Bruno 458 I might be wrong but it's something like that.

[@joeyvanostrand3655]

The "Big Sky" theory was quickly and swiftly disproven. "There is so much sky. So much room up there it's a near improbable chance two airplanes will intersect in the same exact air space at the same exact time". Fate and Balls of Steel responded by spit-yelling "Hold my Beer Fuckbags!!" "Be Right Back!!".

[@mikekeenan8450]

Good video. The DC-7, as you point out, is derived from the DC-6. The main difference is that the DC-7 had something called "turbo compound" engines; it was vaguely like turbocharging, except that instead of using the exhaust turbine to power a supercharger (which is what turbocharging is) it applied the power directly to the crankshaft. Neat idea, made for a faster and more efficient plane, but caused reliability problems. Apparently the mechanics of the day referred to the power recovery turbine as the "parts recovery turbine"; as a result, the DC-6 remained in widespread use for a lot longer than the DC-7. I think there's a handful in service even to this day, whereas very few DC-7s survive and none fly now.

[@billlawrence1899]

True. The Seven used the Wright 3350, whereas the Six used the far more reliable Pratt & Whitney R-2800. Likewise the Connie used the same Wright engine, but with a 3 blade propeller instead of the 4 blade on the same engine on the Sevens.

[@krautyvonlederhosen]

The exhaust turbine as you put it is turbocharging and does not use its energy to power supercharger at all. All superchargers are engine driven, turbocharging is merely an exhaust driven turbine, usually having its compressed air introduced into the supercharger for efficiency. The power recovery systems were fluid driven couplers thru a combination of gears and shafts which added power directly to the crankshaft. Superchargers are gear driven blowers.

[@krautyvonlederhosen]

The fluid driven couplers are likened to a torque converter as applied to an automatic transmission.

[@mikekeenan8450]

@@krautyvonlederhosen Well I said that it wasn't driving a supercharger. As regards whether a turbocharger counts as a supercharger or not, I think it was maybe in the late 70s or early 80s that they started to talk about a turbocharger as if it were a distinct thing as opposed to a special kind of supercharger; older books don't use the term "turbocharger" for that at all. I think the change came around the same time they started calling brake discs "rotors"; it's just branding by the automakers really.

[@johnmaher5218]

I was living in NY the day of this crash. I was doing clinicals for my lab tech course that day but the volunteer ambulance corps I belonged to did respond to the United crash site. Ironically, the electronic siren on our new 1960 rescue ambulance was being shipped from Chicago and it was determined that it was cargo on the United jet. Everybody was overwhelmed with sorrow that the little boy who had survived died in the hospital. Very professional and well made video. This incident has not been forgotten even 60 plus years later.

[@somethingforsenro]

believe it or not, this is a different collision. the collision you're thinking of happened (i think) three years later between two very similar planes.

[@Carlos44]

As a thirteen year old I flew on a Connie from Los Angeles to Kansas City one year after this disaster, which I was well aware of at the time. Because of it, I'm sure my flight was much less likely to result in a mid-air collision.

[@toastnjam7384]

I also flew on a Connie that summer from LA to Chicago as a five-year-old. Since this happened in June, I'm guessing it was shortly after this incident. It took over a year for reforms to take place and the FAA wasn't created until 1958, so we were both not that safe.

[@bernhardecklin7005]

Great post. Thank you very much. Detail on the edge: Either the Douglas aircraft shown is a DC-6, or the DC-7 was here incorrectly configured with three-blade propellers. The lower ground clearance compared to the L-1049 meant that four instead of three bladed propellers were fitted with the same engine. Shorter propeller blades..but one more of them.

[@stephanieparker1250]

To be fair, these were amazing pilots, family men with high levels of professionalism and caring for their passengers. Their actions were not uncommon for the time, we had inexperience with crowded airways so the lack of rules for this isn’t a big surprise. It was a horrible, heartbreaking accident..

[@GeeBee909]

There were no "crowded airways" in 1958, none at all. Also, what "actions" by them were "uncommon"?

[@luuduonghy659]

Despite "1000 on top" was introduced, its only manage to make the sky become safer but not completely In 1978, Pacific Southwest Flight 182 collided with a small plane while try to land at San Diego. All passenger were perished in the crash In 1987, Skywest Flight 1834 also involved in an collison in USA After those collison, the TCAS system was introduced

[@jamestucker9524]

I was ten years old when I read it in the newspaper Daily News the next day. I can still remember the photos of the pilots stewardesses and passengers who were on board the two doomed planes.

[@samh3029]

My dad was a flight surgeon in the USAF and was stationed at Luke AFB near Phoenix at the time. He was the first medical officer to the scene of the TWA crash site.

[@boeing777pilot5]

Great video as always Chloe! Would also like to possibly see the 1960 New York mid-air collision, another collision between twa and united.

[@DisasterBreakdown]

Yes I really want to cover the New York one! Possibly in the new year!

[@qrphfradio7753]

9 o😊lo99😊😊999

[@qrphfradio7753]

O9

[@qrphfradio7753]

​99899

[@kevanhubbard9673]

That's what sprung into my mind straight away,an unofficial sightseeing tour.

[@chadmccoy8032]

ALL that sky, two tiny planes (relative to the sky) and they collide. Amazing all the things that had to happen to cause. Although, what is truly amazing is that it didn’t happen more.

[@On-Our-Radar-24News]

Excellent job on breaking down this accident and the sequence of events that led to this tragedy. I have heard that there are still large pieces of both aircrafts laying in the Grand Canyon today and every now and again you will hear of a rock climber finding pieces. Truly sad.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

As always, Chloe, no matter how many times I might have heard it or how far I might've gone to read up on it... Your patient explanation and TOP TIER PRODUCTION has done a perfect job of bringing out every last living detail... Truly a remarkable job!!! I just about can't wait to see you next Saturday, just to find out what's coming next... ;o)

[@The_saw_1223]

I wad just googling worst mid air collisions and learned about this one 15 min ago. Your timing is awesome!

[@DisasterBreakdown]

Perfect Timing!

[@ravismcromarty5600]

Wow those old planes actually had leg room!

[@DisasterBreakdown]

They also had full, foldable beds and some even had proper kitchens on board!

[@ron3557]

@@DisasterBreakdown back when airlines cared about their passengers . Back when people weren't crammed Into a metal tube like sardines in a can

[@davidhoffman1278]

@@ron3557 , Give thanks, or no thanks, to Juan Trippe of Pan American Airlines for his insistence on 6 across economy seating in the B707 and DC-8 to get maximum profit flying to and from New York City to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

[@Sashazur]

@@davidhoffman1278 If he hadn’t done it some other airline executives would have. Obvious way to save money. At any rate even though flying is less fun in many ways today, it’s cheaper and much safer.

[@nigelbond4056]

Whilst the Connie was, and remains one of the most recognisable planes, I believe the DC-7 was a far superior aircraft. Lessons learnt from this disaster have undoubtedly saved many lives but mid-air collisions haven’t been completely irradiated. Another brilliant video Chloe, laced with your usual level of detail and understanding. 👌

[@walkerpantera]

dont worry, your vids are always more awesome than the last, i appreciate your compassionate presentation style. its what keeps me coming back.

[@billycm8370]

I enjoy your voice and video’s very much. I especially enjoyed the more relaxed pace of this one. You sure tell a good story. Thank you

[@heahheah9817]

the transition at 4:13 just made me realise how much passion you truly have for these videos. all the love in the world keep it up

[@shatteredshards8549]

Your hard work on this one paid off, Chloe - very well done!

[@joecombs7468]

Actually it is more than a possibility. Both planes were sightseeing the Grand Canyon. It was a common practice before this accident. Planes were not required to adhere to a rigid flight path at that time. In the 1950s there were few commercial jets in the United States and radar was at airorts leaving the vast majority of United States air space not covered by radar.

[@sydyidanton5873]

Another terrific video, it’s interesting to note albeit extremely tragic, United and TWA were involved in another mid-air collision a four years later, 16 December 1960, over New York City. TWA was again operating an L1049 and United operated a new DC-8 jet aircraft. UA826 DC-8 Souls Onboard: 84 Chicago O'Hare to New York Idlewild (later JFK) TW266 L1049 Souls Onboard: 44 Dayton via Port Columbus to New York La Guadia TW266 was on course in the correct location, UA826 had been given a course change, which meant a more direct shorter approach than they were anticipating and had set up for, subsequently they had not reduced speed and failed to do so.Due to one of their two VORs (Navaid Equp) being inop they needed to switch their functional VOR back and forth between two frequencies to identify their assigned waypoint, increasing their task saturation significantly. Due to their workload and airspeed they overflew the assigned waypoint placing them 19km off course at point of impact. The UA DC-8's starboard (RHS) outboard engine impacted a section of the forward fuselage of the TW L1049 causing the aircraft to begin breaking up as it was spiralling to the ground with some occupants falling from the torn-open aircraft. Part of the wreckage impacted into a field, while the remaining items of wreckage went into New York Harbour. The UA DC-8's engine was torn from the pylon along with a section of outboard wing, the aircraft flew on, descending, for another 90 seconds prior to impacting into a residential area. The impact caused partial destruction and fires to breakout in ten apartment buildings (brownstones), also a church and some local businesses. The accident caused the loss of life for all onboard the TW L1049, on the UA DC-8 all but one 11 year old boy, flying as an unaccompanied minor, were lost along with an additional 6 victims killed on the ground. The 11 year old UM was ejected from the aircraft and landed in a snow bank. Tragically in addition to his clothes burning which were quickly extinguished, he had inhaled burning jet fuel which caused severe damage to his lungs. Although he was conscious at the accident scene, he died the next day due to traumatic pneumonia secondary to thermal injury to his lungs. It is chilling how similar the accidents were, the same two airlines involved, TWA operating the same aircraft type, United had operated another Douglas aircraft, though instead of a DC-7 (prop) it was a DC-8 (jet). Again the the United aircraft's wing impacted and destroyed a section of fuselage causing separation of fuselage structures. The United aircraft lost a section of its wing and remained inflight for a short time longer prior to impact. This was the first hull loss of a DC-8. TWA's L1049 N6907C 'Star of Sicily' was a sister ship to the L1049 lost 4 years earlier over the Grand Canyon which was N6902C 'Star of the Seine'. Absolutely horrendous for all involved, and life destroying for the loved ones of those crew, passengers and victims on the ground who lost their lives that wintery day. It was the worst aviation accident at the time until nine years later. 2010 was the 50th anniversary of the disaster, subsequently a memorial was dedicated to the 134 victims who lost their lives that day. It was established at the Green-Wood Cemetery in New York City, which is also the location of a collective grave for the victim's remains who were unable to be identified. Extremely heartbreaking.

[@stephanieparker1250]

Btw Chloe, your simulator graphics are on a new level, so awesome! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@ingridclare7411]

Such a soothing stunning voice you have! Perfect narration. Excellent content...

[@DPImageCapturing]

This was a great video! You need to do one about this: On December 16, 1960, a United Airlines Douglas DC-8 bound for Idlewild Airport in New York City collided in midair with a TWA Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation descending toward LaGuardia Airport.

[@DisasterBreakdown]

Yes I will be doing the New York Accident! soon-ish

[@DPImageCapturing]

@@DisasterBreakdown Cool dude! I work on 767-200’s & 767-300’s everyday, CHEERS!

[@bwc1976]

@@DPImageCapturing 767 is one of my favorite planes ever! Only one middle seat in economy, and nobody has to climb over more than one other person to get to the aisle.

[@timazzara9030]

@@DisasterBreakdown look closely at atc and the United flight. When told he was releasing them from radar, 826 was already 9 mil3s off course and the collision was less than 1/2 minute away. The 11 mile short cut wasn't taken into account by crew of 826

[@jameswebb4593]

A year later in June 1957 I flew across the Atlantic in a BOAC Super Constellation from Boston Mas. to London Heathrow via Gander . A superb experience , having flown scores of times around the world since , nothing compares to that 1957 flight.

[@revived1674]

Crazy to think you could fly VFR at 20k+ elevation in an airliner back then. Very informative and detailed video. Great work as always Chloe!

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

It seems a little insane even then, given the era's severe lack of communication connectivity or anti-collision sensors...? No shade to the pilots in this crash! But the environment of the time makes me wonder how much of this laissez faire approach was due just to the relatively limited number of planes around, and how much might have been the more experienced pilots of the time pushing back against any kind of regimented systems following their WWII experiences...? 🤷🏻‍♀️ That sort of seat-of-pants flying with unannounced changes of flight plan etc really isn't something that would've been considered okay during their War years, I wouldn't think. So I'm curious why it was seen as normal once they transitioned over to the civilian aero industry...? Was it just part of that American "free market = no rules" attitude? I'd be curious to hear others' thoughts on industry psychology at the time!

[@farhanatashiga3721]

@@anna_in_aotearoa3166 this is all looking at it from today's POV as Chloe pointed out several times all parties involved were operating did not do anything wrong with regards to the procedures in place at the time. That was a different era that viewed things in a different POV

[@vespurrs]

I'm a new subscriber, having some of your videos in my recent recommendations and deciding to give them a watch. I love your voice, it's perfect for these narrations! I also like the fact that you cover incidents that aren't necessarily well-known. This one might be an exception, but your in-depth analysis made it an interesting watch despite my having familiarity with this particular accident. Long story short, great job, I've been enjoying binging your videos!

[@outlawbadge1]

I have been watching all these air disasters and safety seems a hard thing to learn. You can’t screw up in the air because there is no place to go except down! Thanks for sharing

[@Tikibunss]

Your production value is always fantastic, but this video is exceptionally so. Amazing as always, Chloe!

[@DisasterBreakdown]

Thank you so much!!

[@Rickbone1055]

One of the best videos you’ve made so far imo. I love your content!! Keep it up!!!

[@reganmcneil2074]

What a top tier channel! Just found you. I like these better than the videos that are studio produced!! Love this! Currently binge watching

[@academictrailers3010]

Excellent work as usual - really enjoyed this one - but of course, very tragic for all those involved. Keep up the excellent work. :)

[@mr01steam]

Excellent video. Thanks for all your hard work. This was an Historical accident that changed flying forever.

[@joecombs7468]

I have always felt the investigation into this collision and the investigation into the second loss of a de haviland comet 1 from structural failure marked the beginning of modern air crash investigations.

[@mrasmussen5506]

According to this account of the accident, United Flight 718 broke Federal Aviation Regulations by deviating from their Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan without receiving clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC), while TWA Flight 2 requested and received clearance to discontinue operating under IFR and switch to Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Had United Flight 718 not deviated from their IFR flight plan, or if they had requested clearance to do so with ATC, would this accident have even occurred?

[@fleetwoodpup8328]

The FAA didn't exist in 1956. Flight 2 was flying at the incorrect altitude by going "1,000 on Top" as a way of flying at the previously requested 21,000 ft which was denied by ATC.

[@mr.coplen771]

Chloe, your work is beyond fascinating. I thoroughly enjoy every episode. Keep up the fantastic work! ❤

[@TheBritishAreCoooming]

You videos are exceptional, thank you for making them. Please keep up the good work!

[@pjesf]

Very nicely done - I’d seen this covered on 2 other channels and both used the same cheesy re-enactment scenes so this was much better

[@heather2837]

Your videos are the best! Thank you for all the work you put in to provide this information to us.

[@PlurFW29]

One of your best videos, great job!

[@liamwhiteley2136]

Just today I was looking to see if you had done a video on this incident. Well what perfect timing!

[@kevwatson7965]

Thanks!

[@darkfox2076]

Thanks Chloe. Great video as always. very interesting

[@tammymakesthings]

New subscriber, and this was the third of your videos I’ve watched. It’s excellent - well done! This crash has long fascinated me, and I’ve even visited the burial site/memorial for the TWA passengers in Flagstaff, about 4 hours from where I live.

[@AudieHolland]

One more illustration of how flying was much more dangerous during the post war period till the present time. Koene Dirk Parmentier was a top KLM pilot. He and his crew won the 2nd place in the famous London-Melbourne Air Race (1934) and they flew a regular DC-2 passenger liner, instead of a specially modified 'racing plane.' During World War II, he flew passenger DC-3s on the dangerous Lisbon - Bristol route. Dangerous because the planes were sometimes intercepted and fired upon by German fighters. When his flight was attacked by six German fighters April 1943, Parmentier managed to evade the attackers and landed the damaged plane safely in England, miraculously without any casualties onboard. Having lived through the war, escaping death a few times, Parmentier went back to flying for KLM after the end of World War 2. Three years later, Parmentier tried to land in bad weather at Glasgow Prestwick Airport but flew into power lines, resulting in the plane crashing into a hill. All crew and passengers died (40).

[@AntoniusTyas]

Little fun fact: When an episode of Mayday discussed the Grand Canyon mid-air collision, Cpt. Jack Gandy was portrayed by Stephen Bogaert, the narrator of Mayday for US television. Only the second time he played role as both narrator and actor in one episode, the other being American 1420, where he played F/O Michael Origel. Just one interesting thing that I just found out recently rewatching that episode...

[@federicoprice2687]

I'm still catching up, but wow! All of your videos are truly excellent, and this one is 5* plus. I really admire the clarity, throughness, logic, tact and visuals of your videos, which are invariably sensitive and respectful. But above all, they are very informative and highly instructive. Thank you, yet again! 5* plus.

[@robinwells8879]

Today’s amazing flight safety record came at a heavy price but is a fitting and enduring memorial to those who didn’t make it. I recall my father recounting the story of a wonderful scheduled flight in the sixties that he enjoyed from I believe Glasgow to Belfast where the pilot came over the intercom and said “it’s a lovely day and so we will make the flight low level”! He did and it was much enjoyed by all accounts 🤫

[@timdodd3897]

Well done video. Thanks!

[@peggyh8937]

Very nicely done! Thank you!

[@jkt3andme]

Your voice is so nice and soothing to me! Very relaxing. I enjoy your videos, usually watch in bed while trying to fall asleep. Glad your channel popped up for me to check out. ❤

[@neatstuff1988]

As the airline pilot myself this accident is Puzzling. The united pilot would not want to bank while changing altitude in an effort to avoid t w a because of exactly what happened. The united wing chopped off the tail of the t w a plane Because it was in a Bank angle. I think hes the best bet would have been to pull up. Instead of Pushing down. Fantastic changes did come out of this accident so we can be thankful for that

[@skunkrat01]

Amazing visuals DB! Always thought they were good, but you really outside yourself. It's crazy to think they were excited about LA to NY non stop, when Qantas just started Perth to London non stop! Just thinking about that makes my head spin thinking about what air travel will be like in another 70 odd years!?!? We've gotta be to the moon regularly by that point, surely? What do other people reckon?

[@SinaLaJuanaLewis]

Excellent job Chloé! 👌🏽❤️

[@suzzannegabel1636]

The idea of pilots just flying wherever they wanted on a whim is mind-boggling in this day and age. May I suggest doing a video about the B-25 bomber that flew into the Empire State Building on July 28, 1945?

[@nyxqueenofshadows]

great video, as always! the updated flight sim looks awesome!

[@DisasterBreakdown]

Thanks! Glad you like it :)

[@pooryorick831]

Ironically, the accident that replaced the Grand Canyon accident as the most deadly in USA history was again a midair collision involving The Connie. I would love to see an episode on that accident.

[@atatexan]

Really excellent work.

[@goldenmiddledistanceraces5929]

Good channel. Most other flight crash channels are covering the 70s to up to date so it is good to learn about these historical accidents and what caused them etc.

[@MonkeyMagic10]

Chloe , you describe the story so well , it’s very easy to imagine, You should make podcasts ❤️ Really enjoy watching and looking at your videos Tony 🥂

[@debbieannsmith8962]

Great channel. Keep up the amazing work. 👍👍👍

[@cookdb1]

Excellent presentation!

[@scoobydo446]

This looks like a good video, I’ll just let the adds run out while I get a coffee, thanks for this every Saturday midnight in Australia i am awake waiting this channel upload

[@DisasterBreakdown]

Good Night Australia! Have a great Sunday :)

[@jamesturner2126]

That "certain demographic" line earned you a like. New Yorker 💙✊🏿

[@jimpern]

To date, the last midair in flight between two large airliners in the U.S. occurred in December 1965 between a TWA 707 and an Eastern Constellation. Fortunately the 707 landed safely and the Connie made a semi-controlled crash landing, and only 4 people lost their lives. U.S. midairs since have involved either military aircraft or general-aviation aircraft. P.S. regarding the graphics used here: the DC-7 had four-bladed propellers.

[@therealajnelson]

I'm not sure if it is morbid to say so, but this is probably my favorite air-crash scenario. I don't know if it's because it takes place in the "golden-age" of flying, the two aircraft involved (I'm a sucker for the Connie), or the challenges the investigators faced with such limited tools and resources at their disposal. It is all just incredibly fascinating to me. Thanks for such a great video

[@Duzinfa]

Excellent video, as always. 30 minutes that passed by as a breeze.

[@jenjay71]

Thank you very interesting and full of facts. Love the way you put the name of the music 🎶 you use too! 👍 😁

[@jacekatalakis8316]

The story of how flight recorders came to be and more to the point, accepted, is fascinating in itself as well too, as an aside.

[@RealButcher]

We, my parents, sisters and brother, flew many times with that "Best 3-engined plane (Super Conni). Between Holland and Colombia Bogota / Ecuador Quayaquil.. The Super Connie had fuel tanks at the wing tips. And we were pampered as children, loved it. We got silver and gold wings... I flew back to Holland for the last time with the Super Connie, from Quayaquil, via New York.We had a change of planes to a new DC-9. I think it was 1963? And we were trapped in New York due to a snow storm. BTW There was a plane crash at takeoff. Had to stay in a hotel. First time color TV I saw AND thousands of channels. LOL

[@80sMetalHead]

Very well done again!

[@Avvura]

I watch all of the Mayday episodes and these breathe new life into all these investigations, thank you

[@noise626]

very VERY good video. Nicely done!

[@oscargeorge1]

"Super Constellation" (and the endearing short version "Connie")... could there be a better model name ever?!

[@nysockexchange2204]

The odds of two planes striking each other in the vast sky seems so remote yet there have so many collisions. Which makes me wonder just how many close calls there have been kept from the public. Perhaps I don't want to know?

[@NemesisFromResidentEvil]

Don't forget aircraft have to follow waypoints in the sky, kinda like a road

[@GeeBee909]

Both planes also took off from the same airport (LAX) only minutes apart, only to crash together over another state

[@jarigustafsson7620]

That was incredible work from investigators to solve what happend without any blackboxes.

[@elfenmagix8173]

It is rather unfortunate that a similar accident would occur over NYC 4 years later on December 16,1960 involving an United Airlines DC-8 and a TWA Lockheed Super Constellation. I would recommend that this be your next up and coming video as the two have so many strange coincdiences. As for this accident, I forget who did it but there is a youtube simulation showing the cockpit POV of both planes. Though the TWA could not see the United plane until the last few seconds, the United plane could see them off to their right front during the whole time. Not placing blame on anyone here, both were at the wrong place at the wrong time.

[@annabethchase2569]

There were another 2 mid air collisions just in the past few months - the Texas air show collision from November and the Boulder air collision between 2 small planes in September (Not sure about dates)

[@blakhorizon915]

Good video, I've heard of this incident but never quite understood what happened till now.

[@comeng301m]

i fell asleep for nearly an hour and then i checked to see if the knew vid was uploaded, now it is, its nearly midnight but i know this will be good video!

[@DisasterBreakdown]

Make sure you get a good night's sleep!

[@comeng301m]

@@DisasterBreakdown thanks, i will! btw, the most recent video is always the best video chloe!

[@jtveg]

Thanks so much for sharing. 😉👌🏻