1956 Grand Canyon mid-air collision
The Grand Canyon mid-air collision occurred in the western United States on 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. The first one fell into a canyon and the other one slammed into a rock face. All 128 on board both airplanes perished, making it the first commercial airline incident to exceed one hundred fatalities. The airplanes had departed Los Angeles International Airport minutes apart from each other and headed 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.
Illustration of the collision | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | June 30, 1956 |
| Summary | Mid-air collision due to inadequate ATC system |
| Site | Grand Canyon, Arizona, U.S. |
| Total fatalities | 128 |
| Total survivors | 0 |
| First aircraft | |
| A United Airlines DC-7, similar to the one in the accident | |
| Type | Douglas DC-7 Mainliner |
| Name | Mainliner Vancouver |
| Operator | United Airlines |
| Registration | N6324C |
| Flight origin | Los Angeles Int'l Airport |
| Destination | Chicago Midway Airport |
| Occupants | 58 |
| 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 |
| Operator | Trans World Airlines |
| Registration | N6902C |
| Flight origin | Los Angeles Int'l Airport |
| Destination | Kansas City Downtown Airport |
| Occupants | 70 |
| Passengers | 64 |
| Crew | 6 |
| Fatalities | 70 |
| Survivors | 0 |