Mid-Air Disaster over Grand Canyon: Collision between United Airlines Flight 718 and TWA Flight 2, 1956
In the summer of 1956, the skies above the Grand Canyon witnessed a tragic event that left an indelible mark on the aviation world. On June 30, two commercial aircraft, United Airlines Flight 718 (a Douglas DC-7) and Trans World Airlines Flight 2 (a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation), collided mid-air, resulting in the deaths of all 128 people onboard both planes.
## Causes and Circumstances
The collision was a complex mix of human error, inadequate air traffic control, and challenging weather conditions. At the time, air traffic control systems were rudimentary, with no radar oversight for aircraft flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) "on top" clearances. This meant that pilots were responsible for avoiding other aircraft visually, a task made difficult, especially in the presence of clouds.
Weather over northern Arizona was characterized by scattered storms with clouds reaching 20,000 feet. Basic weather radar provided little information about the storms ahead, leading pilots to divert from their assigned routes to avoid them. Both pilots, TWA Captain Jack Gandy and United Airlines pilot Robert "Bob" Shirley, diverted from their planned routes, likely to avoid storms and to give passengers a view of the Grand Canyon, a common practice at the time. This deviation led to both aircraft being in the same airspace without adequate separation.
Captain Gandy requested and received a "1,000 on top" clearance, which allowed him to fly above clouds but made him responsible for avoiding other aircraft. This clearance meant that both planes could be at the same altitude without Air Traffic Control (ATC) oversight.
## The Collision
The planes collided at a 25-degree angle around 10:30 am. The DC-7's left wing struck the Constellation's tail, causing it to plummet into the canyon. The DC-7 also crashed shortly after, into Chuar Butte.
Post-crash analysis suggested that the United DC-7 was banking to the right and pitching down at the time of the collision, indicating evasive action by one or both pilots. However, Captain Gandy was found to have contributed to the collision due to his actions and overconfidence.
## Aftermath and Legacy
The collision was the first aviation accident to result in over 100 fatalities, leaving a significant impact on the media and aviation world. It highlighted the need for improved air traffic control systems and led to significant changes in aviation safety regulations, including the eventual creation of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols and the potential consequences of human error and inadequate systems in the realm of civil air transportation.
Sources: Wikipedia, Admiral Cloudberg's Medium article, HistoryNet, Grand Canyon History, and Grand Canyon.com.
- The collision between United Airlines Flight 718 and Trans World Airlines Flight 2 in 1956 was a result of human error, inadequate air traffic control, and challenging weather conditions, highlighting the need for improved air traffic control systems in the aviation industry.
- The aviation financing and energy sectors were significantly affected by the aviation accidents in 1956, as the tragedy led to increased regulations and reforms in the aerospace and transportation sectors, impacting the automotive industry as well.
- The sports world was also touched by the aftermath of the 1956 aviation accidents, as the event underscored the importance of adhering to safety protocols in all industries, leading to precedents being set in sports-betting regulations.
- The tragic collision over the Grand Canyon in 1956 resulted in over 128 fatalities and marked a turning point in the history of aviation finance, energy, and the aerospace industry, urging reforms in air transportation safety regulations.
