1934 United Airlines Utah crash

The United Airlines 1934 Utah crash was an accident involving a Boeing Air Transport-operated United Airlines scheduled flight of a Boeing 247, which crashed in bad weather shortly after departing Salt Lake City, Utah on February 23, 1934, killing all eight on board. The cause was not immediately determined, but poor weather was considered a factor.

United Airlines 1934 Utah crash
A United Airlines Boeing 247 similar to the accident aircraft
Accident
DateFebruary 23, 1934 (1934-02-23)
SummaryControlled flight into terrain in inclement weather
SiteParley's Canyon, Summit County, Utah
Aircraft
Aircraft typeBoeing 247
OperatorUnited Airlines
RegistrationNC13357
Flight originSalt Lake City, Utah
DestinationCheyenne, Wyoming
Passengers5
Crew3
Fatalities8
Survivors0

History of flight

At 1400 hrs. on Friday, February 23, 1934, United Airlines Boeing 247, NC13357, c/n 1739,[1][2] departed Salt Lake City, Utah, bound for Cheyenne, Wyoming. The weather was poor, with snow and sleet throughout the region, with up to seven inches of snow accumulating in the lowlands and even more at higher altitudes.[3]

"The last word received by radio from the ill-fated plane was when pilot Lloyd Anderson signalled "All Okay" 20 minutes after the departure. When the plane did not arrive at Cheyenne on schedule, an immediate search was started."[4]

Throughout Saturday, February 24, aircraft covered the routes the missing airliner might have travelled, and the United Airlines office at Salt Lake City made phone calls "to all points in the vicinity. None of the efforts brought any definite trace of the lost plane."[5] "Little hope remained for the safety of the crew or passengers of the plane, which it was believed must have crashed in the clouds and fog. Its fuel supply, United Air Lines officials said, would have been exhausted by 6:30 yesterday."[6]

Discovery

H. D. T. Lewis, chief of the United Airlines at Chicago, arrived Sunday to take charge.[7] Chief Pilot H. T. 'Slim' Lewis and his assistant, Leon D. Cuddeback, ordered a search with Rock Springs, Wyo., as the center.[8]

The air search began at daybreak, February 24, when two planes left the Salt Lake airport, joined by other pilots of the airline and by Lieut. Frank Crismon, a reserve army pilot. They were aided by ground parties searching the mountains to the east. Weather, which Frank Caldwell, operations manager for United, called "the worst in the history of flying in this region," hampered rescue workers throughout the day.[9]

Planes were sent up, two from Rock Springs, Wyoming, and six from Salt Lake. Lewis concentrated the search in the mountains. "That plane is not more than 50 miles from here," he said. He was right. As Don Broughton and Ed Greer, United Airlines pilots, flew over the area known as Parley's canyon, they sighted the plane, nose down, nearly buried in the deep snow on the side of the canyon. The nose was between two giant pine trees which stood on either side of the plane, almost hiding it from sight.[10]

"There was no sign of life.[11][12] Broughton radioed the discovery to airline headquarters at Salt Lake City.[13]

Recovery

A motor caravan was organized at Salt Lake City. Members waded through snow four feet deep for four miles to reach the crash site. Leon D. Cuddeback, assistant to Lewis, was the first company official to arrive. He reported that the plane was wedged between the trees in such a position that it was almost vertical.[14]

The bodies were piled on top of one another in the wreck, just 35 miles east of Salt Lake City. It was believed that all died instantly. The pilot's wrist watches had stopped at 1505 hrs.[15]

Victims

Crew

Lloyd Anderson, the flight's pilot, had more than 7,000 hours of flight time. He began flying at Los Angeles and obtained his license in 1926. After completing his flying course he barnstormed and instructed on the west coast and later opened a temporary line between Mexicali, Mazatlan and Mexico City. He flew this route for a time.[16] Anderson also surveyed and opened a mail line between Mazatlan and Brownsville, Texas, and later was with C. A. T., flying between El Paso, Texas, and Mexico City. He surveyed a route between Chihuahua, Mexico, and Nogales, Ariz., and flew this route for two years.[17] Anderson joined United June 15, 1931, as a reserve pilot at Omaha and came to Cheyenne a short time later, flying between Omaha and Salt Lake City."[18]

Anderson was 32 years old, was married, and had one son, 3 years old. The company stated that he was born in Canada.[19]

The co-pilot was Eric G. Danielson, also of Cheyenne, with Miss Mary Carter of Cheyenne, formerly of Omaha and Chattanooga, Tenn., the stewardess and only woman aboard.[20]

Danielson was born in Uppsala, Sweden, and came to the United States as a child. He received his air training in the army, and was stationed at March Field, California, Kelly Field, Texas, and at Fort Crockett, Texas. He completed his student flying in 1931, and later was a pilot in the Texas National Guard. "He joined the United Air Lines staff July 3, 1933. He was 29 years old. His mother, Mrs. P. J. Danielson, resides at Spokane, Wash."[21]

Mary E. Carter was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She was 24. Carter studied nursing at Chattanooga, Tenn., and graduated as a nurse in 1927. She joined United Air Lines April 25, 1932, at Cheyenne and had been assigned to the route between Chicago and Salt Lake City. Her mother, Mrs. B. Carter, lives at Chattanooga.[22]

Passengers

The five passengers were E. L. Walker, of Rock Springs, Wyoming; J. J. Sterling, of Benton Harbor, Michigan; Bert McLaughlin, of Perry, Iowa; Evald W. Berglund, of Boone, Iowa; and Marcellus Zinsmaster, of Des Moines, Iowa.[23]

Crash site

The search party found the wreckage with the "nose buried deep in the earth and its broken tail standing upwards. Every part of it, except the wings, which were cracked, was smashed. In the front of the interior the mangled bodies were heaped, that of Miss Carter on the top, indicating, it was believed, that she was in the rear of the cabin when the liner hurtled into the mountain."[24]

It had crossed the summit of the pass and had proceeded about three quarters of a mile on the other side when it dived. "The plane had apparently flown straight into the ground at high speed. The nose was thrust into the earth, the rear end was sticking into the air and the tale was broken off. Each wing and the body rested on three nearby pine trees."[25]

The body of the stewardess was intact. Those of the two pilots and five passengers were mangled such that identification was possible only through jewelry and clothing.[26]

Judge John C. Green, coroner of Summit County, Utah, took charge of the bodies as they were removed from the wreckage. They were carried over two miles of snowy trail, through heavy brush and rough country, to a roadhouse on the highway at the summit of Parley's canyon, and then to Salt Lake City in an ambulance.[27]

Investigation

Two investigations into the cause of the accident were underway on February 27, at Salt Lake City. One inquiry was launched by the Department of Commerce, under E. E. Hughes, aeronautics inspector, and E. L. Yuravich, airline inspector. The other was conducted by D. B. Colyer, of Chicago, vice president of United Airlines.[28][29] Company officials were unable to hazard a guess as to the cause of the crash, "due to the fact that the plane was so nearly demolished."[30]

Both groups returned from the crash site in the Wasatch Mountains to Salt Lake City on the night of February 26, but both admitted to an inability to reach any conclusions. Unfavorable weather, they agreed, was a contributing factor.[31]

Hughes ventured the opinion a definite determination of the tragedy appeared impossible. "I don't know whether we will ever be able to determine the cause of the crash," said Colyer. "And it wouldn't be right to advance all the theory mentioned."[32]

Colyer was assisted in his investigation by F. E. Caldwell, of Cheyenne, operations manager; John Maxzell, of Salt Lake City, another operations manager; and a staff of pilots.[33]

References
  1. http://rzjets.net/aircraft/?page=2&typeid=394
  2. http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1934/1934-3.htm
  3. Associated Press, "Eight Aboard Plane Feared Dead as Day Of Search Is Futile - Blizzard Cripples Search as Air Liner's Fate Unknown but Survival Doubtful", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Sunday 25 February 1934, Volume 40, page 1.
  4. United Press, "Wreckage Giant Air Liner And Its Eight Victims Located", Madera Daily Tribune and Madera Mercury, Madera, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume LXIII, Number 96, page 1.
  5. United Press, "Wreckage Giant Air Liner And Its Eight Victims Located", Madera Daily Tribune and Madera Mercury, Madera, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume LXIII, Number 96, page 1.
  6. Associated Press, "Eight Aboard Plane Feared Dead as Day Of Search Is Futile - Blizzard Cripples Search as Air Liner's Fate Unknown but Survival Doubtful", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Sunday 25 February 1934, Volume 40, page 1.
  7. United Press, "Wreckage Giant Air Liner And Its Eight Victims Located", Madera Daily Tribune and Madera Mercury, Madera, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume LXIII, Number 96, page 1.
  8. Associated Press, "Eight Feared Dead As Plane Down In Wilds - Transport Ship Can't Be Found By Searchers as Heavy Snow Hampers Search From Air", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Sunday 25 February 1934, Volume 40, page 2.
  9. Associated Press, "Eight Feared Dead As Plane Down In Wilds - Transport Ship Can't Be Found By Searchers as Heavy Snow Hampers Search From Air", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Sunday 25 February 1934, Volume 40, page 2.
  10. United Press, "Wreckage Giant Air Liner And Its Eight Victims Located", Madera Daily Tribune and Madera Mercury, Madera, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume LXIII, Number 96, page 1.
  11. Associated Press, "21 Killed; Many Injured In Storms", The Lewiston Daily Sun, Lewiston, Maine, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume LXI, page 2.
  12. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jj5HAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3PMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3811%2C4059511
  13. United Press, "Wreckage Giant Air Liner And Its Eight Victims Located", Madera Daily Tribune and Madera Mercury, Madera, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume LXIII, Number 96, page 1.
  14. United Press, "Wreckage Giant Air Liner And Its Eight Victims Located", Madera Daily Tribune and Madera Mercury, Madera, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume LXIII, Number 96, page 1.
  15. United Press, "Wreckage Giant Air Liner And Its Eight Victims Located", Madera Daily Tribune and Madera Mercury, Madera, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume LXIII, Number 96, page 1.
  16. Associated Press, "Eight Feared Dead As Plane Down In Wilds - Transport Ship Can't Be Found By Searchers as Heavy Snow Hampers Search From Air", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Sunday 25 February 1934, Volume 40, page 2.
  17. Pusey, Otis J., Associated Press writer, "Missing Air Liner Found Wrecked; All Dead, Terrific Crash Indicated", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume 40, page 2.
  18. Associated Press, "Eight Feared Dead As Plane Down In Wilds - Transport Ship Can't Be Found By Searchers as Heavy Snow Hampers Search From Air", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Sunday 25 February 1934, Volume 40, page 2.
  19. Pusey, Otis J., Associated Press writer, "Missing Air Liner Found Wrecked; All Dead, Terrific Crash Indicated", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume 40, page 2.
  20. Associated Press, "Eight Aboard Plane Feared Dead as Day Of Search Is Futile - Blizzard Cripples Search as Air Liner's Fate Unknown but Survival Doubtful", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Sunday 25 February 1934, Volume 40, page 1.
  21. Pusey, Otis J., Associated Press writer, "Missing Air Liner Found Wrecked; All Dead, Terrific Crash Indicated", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume 40, page 2.
  22. Pusey, Otis J., Associated Press writer, "Missing Air Liner Found Wrecked; All Dead, Terrific Crash Indicated", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume 40, page 2.
  23. Associated Press, "Eight Aboard Plane Feared Dead as Day Of Search Is Futile - Blizzard Cripples Search as Air Liner's Fate Unknown but Survival Doubtful", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Sunday 25 February 1934, Volume 40, page 1.
  24. Pusey, Otis J., Associated Press writer, "Missing Air Liner Found Wrecked and Eight Persons Dead", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume 40, page 1.
  25. Pusey, Otis J., Associated Press writer, "Missing Air Liner Found Wrecked; All Dead, Terrific Crash Indicated", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume 40, page 2.
  26. Pusey, Otis J., Associated Press writer, "Missing Air Liner Found Wrecked and Eight Persons Dead", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume 40, page 1.
  27. Pusey, Otis J., Associated Press writer, "Missing Air Liner Found Wrecked; All Dead, Terrific Crash Indicated", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume 40, page 2.
  28. Associated Press, "Two Pennsylvania Train Wrecks Add to Storm Toll", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Tuesday 27 February 1934, Volume 40, page 2.
  29. United Press, Crash Of Air Liner Probed", Madera Daily Tribune and Madera Mercury, Madera, California, Tuesday 27 February 1934, Volume LXIII, Number 97, page 1.
  30. Pusey, Otis J., Associated Press writer, "Missing Air Liner Found Wrecked; All Dead, Terrific Crash Indicated", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Monday 26 February 1934, Volume 40, page 2.
  31. Associated Press, "Two Pennsylvania Train Wrecks Add to Storm Toll", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Tuesday 27 February 1934, Volume 40, page 2.
  32. Associated Press, "Two Pennsylvania Train Wrecks Add to Storm Toll", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Tuesday 27 February 1934, Volume 40, page 2.
  33. Associated Press, "Two Pennsylvania Train Wrecks Add to Storm Toll", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Tuesday 27 February 1934, Volume 40, page 2.
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