Braniff International Airways Flight 542, a Lockheed L-188 Electra, registration N9705C, was a scheduled domestic flight from Houston, Texas, bound for New York with scheduled stops in Dallas and Washington, D.C. On September 29, 1959, 23 minutes into the 41-minute flight from Houston to Dallas Love Field, the aircraft disintegrated in mid-air approximately 3.8 miles (6.1 km) southeast of Buffalo, Texas, killing everyone on board.
Search items
editData | Value |
---|---|
Date | 29 Sep 1959 |
Pilot | Wilson Elza Stone [1] |
First officer | Dan Hollowall [1] |
Second officer | Roland Longhill [1] |
Braniff Airways VP Operations | R. V. Carleton [2][3] |
Braniff station manager from Houston | Homer Young [4] |
Braniff station manager from Waco | H.E. Carlton [4] |
CAB Investigator in charge | John E. Cyrocki from CAB office in Miami [3][5][6] |
CAB Investigator | B.H. Jackson [2] |
CAB Investigator | Joseph Zamuda [7] |
CAB Investigator | C.E. Searle [7] |
CAB Investigator | Alan Brunstein [7] |
CAB Vice Chairman | Robert T. Murphy [1] |
CAB Member and CAB safety board director | Chan Gurney [1][7] |
CAB Member | G. Joseph Minetti [1] |
CAB Member | Whitney Gillilland [1] |
CAB hearings and reports division director | Robert W. Chrisp [7] |
CAB bureau of safety investigator in charge of reassembling the plane | John S. Leak [8] |
CAB Chairman | Alan S. Boyd [1] |
FAA control office in Fort Worth | Bruce Chambers [2][3] |
Owner of the farm where the crash landed | R. E. White [2][3] |
Witness | Mrs. Billy Webb [2] |
Witness | W.S. Webb [9] |
Witness | Bill Guyton [9] |
Witness | Barney Pickens [3] |
Witness | R.E. White [10] |
Witness | J.J. Cox [9] |
Head of four-man Department of Public Safety identification team | J.D. Chastain [4] |
Senator who wants all Electas Grounded | Vance Hartke (D-Ind) |
Sources
editASN: [12]
Citations
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Aircraft Accident Report: Braniff Airways, Inc., Lockheed Electra, N 9705C, Buffalo, Texas, September 29, 1959". Civil Aeronautics Board. 5 May 1961. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference
oaktrib1030
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d e f Brown, Dave (30 September 1959). "17 Bodies Recovered in Plane Crash Killing 34". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Friauf, Frank (30 September 1959). "School Gym Turned into Victims' Morgue". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Brown, Dave (4 October 1959). "CAB May Reassemble Parts From Air Crash". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Morning ed.). p. 58. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Brown, Dave (7 October 1959). "Pilot Reported Trouble Before Airliner Crash". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Morning ed.). p. 3. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f Brown, Dave (21 October 1959). "Hearing Set Today on Fatal Air Crash". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Morning ed.). p. 8. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Wing Breakoff Cause Of Crash Near Buffalo". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). Associated Press. 27 October 1959. p. 3. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Brown, Dave (21 October 1959). "Runaway Prop Suspected as Cause of Fatal Crash". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). p. 17. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Johnson, Ed (30 September 1959). "'Bulldozers Out of the Sky'". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). p. 2. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Braniff Gets First Lockheed Electras". Sioux Falls Argus-Leader. 12 May 1959. p. 21. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed L-188A Electra N9705C Buffalo, TX". Aviation Safety Network. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ "ASN Aviation Safety Database: Lockheed L-188 Electra". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Senator To Press Try To Grounds All Electras". The Austin American. Austin, Texas. Associated Press. 16 April 1960. p. 11. Retrieved 4 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Jet Electras To Dallas Run". The Austin American. Austin, Texas. Associated Press. 15 May 1959. p. B14. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Jets Start Texas Run This Week". The Austin American. Austin, Texas. Associated Press. 14 June 1959. p. 19. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Braniff Charges Electra is Faulty, Seeks 2.4 Million". Chicago Tribune. UPI. 16 November 1960. p. 46. Retrieved 4 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Thomis, Wayne (26 October 1960). "Suspect Bomb Caused Air Crash Fatal to 34". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 4 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "FAA Lessons Learned: Lockheed L-188 Electra, Braniff Airways Flight 542, N9705C, Buffalo Texas September 29, 1959". Federal Aviation Administration. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- ^ Louviere, Vernon (17 January 1960). "Faulty Prop Eyed In Buffalo Crash". Forth Worth Star-Telegram. p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Plane Crash Probe Scheduled March 9". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). Associated Press. 24 February 1960. p. 19. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Brown, Dave (6 March 1960). "Second Airing Of Crash Due". Forth Worth Star-Telegram. p. 43. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Brown, Dave (9 March 1960). "Fuel Tank Pressure Enters Picture At Hearing on Air Crash Fatal to 34". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). p. 36. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Brown, Dave (10 March 1960). "Braniff Crash Hearing Is Recessed Without Definite Cause Determined". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). p. 43. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Further Action Studied On Electra Turboprops". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Morning ed.). Associated Press. 23 March 1960. p. 15. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "FAA Slaps New Limits on Electras". Forth Worth Star-Telegram. Associated Press. 27 March 1960. p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lockheed Finds Cause of Crashes". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). Associated Press. 13 May 1960. p. 5. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Justice, Blair (30 September 1959). "Fort Worth Survivor of Close Calls In War Met Death in Plane's Blast". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bodies Make Crash Scene Grim Reality". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). 30 September 1959. p. 2. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Buffalo Youth Helped Salvage Bodies At Scene of 'Biggest Mess I Ever Saw'". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). 30 September 1959. p. 2. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Blast Third in Flight This Year". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). Associated Press. 30 September 1959. p. 2. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Air Blast Victims". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). UPI. 30 September 1959. p. 2. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Examiners Seek Cause Of Fatal Airliner Blast". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Morning ed.). 1 October 1959. p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Probe Into Plane Blast Fatal To 34 Still Going On". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). AP. 1 October 1959. p. 16. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Pal Of Underworld Is Among Dead". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). AP. 1 October 1959. p. 16. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Braniff Pilot To Be Buried". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Morning ed.). 2 October 1959. p. 36. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Plane Wreckage Studied". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). AP. 14 October 1959. p. 16. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Brown, Dave (18 October 1959). "Hearing May Bare Mystery". Forth Worth Star-Telegram. p. 18. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Brown, Dave (22 October 1959). "Airliner Crash Still Mystery". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Morning ed.). p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Brown, Dave (22 October 1959). "Exploded Plane's Troubles Cited". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Evening ed.). p. 16. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Crash Testinomy Has Discrepancies". Forth Worth Star-Telegram. 25 October 1959. p. 20. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Evidence of Bomb Lacking in Crash". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Morning ed.). Associated Press. 27 October 1959. p. 10. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Braniff Reveals Order For Turbo-Prop Planes". Forth Worth Star-Telegram (Morning ed.). 15 December 1955. p. 9. Retrieved 11 April 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Serling, Robert J. (12 Feb 1962). "Corporate Giants Collide Over Crashes of Planes". The Record. Hackensack, New Jersey. UPI. p. 6. Retrieved 4 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ground Electras: Hartke". The Indianapolis Star. 16 April 1960. p. 22. Retrieved 4 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Symington Backs FAA Head on Electras Issue". The Indianapolis Star. 20 April 1960. p. 2. Retrieved 4 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Quesada Assails Hartke on Electras". The Indianapolis Star. 10 October 1960. p. 1. Retrieved 4 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Branson, Robert N. (21 April 1960). "Find New Damages In Electra's Wings". Journal and Courier. Lafayette, Indiana. Retrieved 4 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Miles, Marvin (13 May 1960). "Electra Crashes Laid to Mounts of Engines". The Los Angeles Times. p. 4. Retrieved 4 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Serling, Robert J. (14 May 1959). "Even U.S. Airlines Surprised At Popular Success Of Jets". Meriden Journal. Meriden, Connecticut. United Press International. p. 12. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Serling, Robert J. (1 October 1964). "Electra Records Amazing Comeback". The Minneapolis Star. UPI. p. 13. Retrieved 4 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "To Remove Electras' 'Fatal Bug'". The Times. Munster, Indiana. UPI. 1 August 1960. p. 2. Retrieved 4 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "50 Years Ago: Tests in a New NASA Wind Tunnel Help Save an Industry". NASA. 9 April 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ "Explosion Shatters Airliner Over Texas; 34 Aboard Die". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. AP and UPI. 30 September 1959. p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspaperarchive.com.
- ^ "Another Airline Joins Jet Age". The Odessa American. Odessa, Texas. UPI. 14 June 1959. p. 37. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Boughn, Pete (31 May 1959). "Omaha Airline Range: Huge Pioneers to Bustling Youngsters". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska. p. 20-B – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ill-Fated Lockheed Electra Makes Comeback Despite Its Tragedies". Oroville Mercury Register. Oroville, California. 29 September 1961. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Katz, Peter (6 February 2016). "Fixing Flutter Is Nothing New". Plane & Pilot. Madavor Media, LLC. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ "More Electras Wanted". The Age. Melbourne, Australia. 10 July 1963. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cracks Found In Airlines' Six Electras". The Age. Melbourne, Australia. 27 July 1964. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Electras All Back In Air". The Age. Melbourne, Australia. 28 July 1964. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Valley Men Risk Lives, Find Electra Safe". Valley Times. North Hollywood, California. 6 January 1961. p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
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- ^ "Craft Airworthy, Quesada Contends". Valley Times. North Hollywood, California. 16 April 1960. p. 2. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Klein, Doris (13 May 1960). "Blame Crashes Of Electras On Wing Strain". Valley Times. North Hollywood, California. p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lockheed Batters Electras In Tests". Ventura County Star-Free Press. UPI. 15 April 1960. p. 4. Retrieved 6 June 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Wing Came Off Plane". The Waco Times-Herald. Waco, Texas. UPI. 9 March 1960. p. 1-A. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Speed Limits Set on Electras". The Waco Times-Herald. Waco, Texas. UPI. 21 March 1960. p. 1-A. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Braniff Plans Jet Flights To Cities in Texas". The Waco Times-Herald. 10 May 1959. p. 12. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Bell, Ray (30 September 1959). "34 Aboard Braniff Liner Plunge To Flaming Deaths Wast of Waco". The Waco Times-Herald. Waco, Texas. p. 1-A. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Fatal Plane In Service Only 9 Days". The Waco Times-Herald. Waco, Texas. 30 September 1959. p. 1-A. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Collecting Bodies Is Slow Process". The Waco Times-Herald. Waco, Texas. 30 September 1959. p. 4-A. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Braniff Lists Names of Dead In Plane Crash". The Waco Times-Herald. Waco, Texas. Associated Press. 30 September 1959. p. 4-A. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Boy On Date Tells How Sky Flashed Bright". The Waco Times-Herald. Waco, Texas. Associated Press. 30 September 1959. p. 4-A. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Crash Is Fifth With Fatalities In Line's History". The Waco Times-Herald. Waco, Texas. 30 September 1959. p. 9-A. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Farmer Tells of Awful Noise As Plane Fell Near His House". The Waco Times-Herald. Waco, Texas. 30 September 1959. p. 9-A. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Probers' Main Puzzle: Did Braniff Plane Explode in Sky?". The Waco Times-Herald. Waco, Texas. 1 October 1959. p. 24-A. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "'Copters Used To Search Area Of Plane Crash". The Waco Times-Herald. Waco, Texas. UPI. 3 October 1959. p. 1-A. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via newspapers.com.
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- ^ Holden, Henry M. (22 October 2018). "The Electra Enigma". World Airline Historical Society Online. Retrieved 3 June 2020.