1951 — Sep 15, Airshow Stunt Plane Crash Kills 19 Spectators and Pilot, Flagler, CO– 20

–20 Ada Evening News, OK. “Danger in Thrills” [Editorial]. 10-1-1951, p. 4.
–20 Daily Review, Hayward, CA. “News Highlights of 1951.” 12-26-1951, p. 4.
–20 Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “Coroner’s Jury Blames Pilot…Flagler Tragedy.” 9-18-1951, 1
–20 Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “US Probes Air Crash Killing 20 at Flagler, Co.” 9-17-1951, 1.
–20 Hutchinson News Herald, KS. “Narrow Escape for Family.” 9-20-1951, p. 9.
–20 Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Airshows Face Curbs.” 9-24-1951, p. 7.
–20 Salina Journal, KS. “New Regulations for Air Shows.” 9-23-1951, p. 24.
–20 Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “Belated Air Curbs” [Editorial]. 10-1-1951, p. 6.
–20 Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “Tragedy in Colorado” [Editorial]. 9-20-1951, p. 10.
–20 Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. “Ban on Air Shows.” 9-29-1951, p. 4.
–19 Lowell Sun, MA. “19 Killed as Stunting Plane Dives into Air Show Crowd.” 9-16-1951, 1.

Narrative Information

Sep 15, Associated Press: “Flagler, Colo., Sept 15 (AP) – A low flying plane, stunting for the crowd at an airshow, cart-wheeled into the horror stricken spectators, today, killing 19 and injuring at least 20 more. The disaster turned this prosperous eastern Colorado farming town of 793 persons into a center of grief, sorrow and confusion as hearses and ambulances sped to and from the airport. At least nine of the dead were children.

“The pilot of the low wing monoplane was doing a snap roll over the crowd of 1000 spectators. Suddenly it plunged toward the earth, caught a wing on an automobile and smashed a path through the screaming crowd. One wing and the landing gear sheered off as the plane bounced through a row of parked cars. The engine hit another row of automobiles and the tail assembly swept around and into a third row of vehicles loaded with spectators. Most of the dead and injured were in automobiles….”

“By William J. Barker [Denver Post]. Flagler, Colo., Sept. 15 – (AP) – I was the only newspaperman at this flat, little country airfield today, watching what promised to be a colorful airshow, when a low wing monoplane suddenly spun out of control and crashed into a stunned crowd, of 1000 spectators – many of them children.

“Nearby was Bill Madsen of Denver, a lieutenant colonel in the Civil Air Patrol, who had invited me to cover the event for the Denver Post. The plane which was to bring tragedy to Flagler belonged to Madsen.

“The show started a little after 2 p. m. The sky above the flat horizon was clear and blue, and the wind was blowing in from the northeast. It was a great day for flying. The spectators gasped with delight and awe as Fred Ruble of Denver gave them a demonstration of soaring in his sail plane, which had been brought over from Denver for the event. Ruble brought his glider in on the deathlike quiet of the wind while Nelson Stake, manager of the field, was preparing to step into his plane to present a dive bombing exhibition.

“A small pasteboard shack out on the field was to be the target. It was loaded with dynamite, which was to be detonated, as Stake pulled up out of his mock bomb run. This was to be the big thrill for the spectators. I looked at my watch. It was 2:40 p. m. I felt a ripple of the wind. At that moment, came a roar from the south. First Lt. Norman L. Jones, in Madsen’s low wing monoplane, was coming in low. He was late.

“The pilots participating in the show had been instructed to meet at the airport at 2 p. m. for a briefing on plans for the show and especially on last minute safety reminders. But Jones was late and apparently to make up for it, he came in with a bang—stunting over the crowd. As he zoomed over my head at a 45-degree angle, he was no more than 200 feet off the ground and upside down. He started to roll over and over. But he never did go up. He went straight for the mass of shocked human beings standing and sprawling on the field or on their automobiles.

“The plane shattered as it hit the ground and tore a swath in the crowd. The largest piece, the engine, hit a group of five and the only ambulance. Two of the cars were demolished. All six vehicles were put out of commission.

“That ambulance, a sad and helpless hulk, was still standing there on the field long after all the victims had been carted away in farmers’ pickup trucks or ambulances summoned from neighboring towns.

“The chaos that followed is beyond description. Children died beside their parents. Women could be heard screaming the names of loved ones. It was like the end of the world. Bodies were everywhere it seemed. I personally counted 10 dead, including the broken body of the pilot. I couldn’t get to the wreckage of the, cars, but I understand that a woman was in the cab of the ambulance. If she got out alive, it was miracle. I stopped in front of a young woman who was speechless. She was splattered with blood – the blood of her father, Alfred Asher of Seibert, Colo., had had been lying at her feet watching the demonstration. He was dead.

“Persons who had returned after taking the victims to the hospital told me a terrific crowd had gathered in front of and inside the hospital. Up and down streets motorists were driving aimlessly.” (Lowell Sun, MA. “19 Killed as Stunting Plane Dives into Air Show Crowd.” 9-16-1951, p. 1.)

Sep 16, Associated Press: “Flagler, Colo., Sept 16 – (AP) – Inspectors for the civil aeronautics board and civil aeronautics administration this morning began an investigation into the tragic plane crash here which took 20 lives. R. P. Parshall, chief of region 5 in Kansas City for CAB, directed the probe at the tiny, flat airfield one-half mile south of Flagler. He is assisted by R. V. Reynolds and A. C. Goddard, CAA officers from Denver who looked into the United Air Lines crash west of Fort Collins, Colo., that took 51 lives in July.

Parshall said it will take five days before it will be known if there is to be a public inquiry into the Flagler disaster. The decision, he said, will be made in Washington.

“Plans for the first funeral of some of the victims were announced today. Gordon McEathron, 10, of Arriba, Colo., and his 13-year-old sister, Bebe, will have funeral services at 11 a. m. Tuesday at the Arriba high school. They are the children of a Christian church minister at Arriba. Their bodies will be sent to Holcomb, Wisc., for interment.

“Deputy Coroner Ralph Clapp said plans for a mass funeral of Flagler victims still are pending. However, four of the victims will be buried with Catholic rites at Stratton. Colo., 27 miles east of
Flagler, Tuesday morning. They are Mrs. Charles Keller, 55, and two children, Zenelda Keller, 13, and John Keller, 6, and Caroline Selenke, 14.

“Clapp said an inquest into the tragedy will be held tomorrow at Flagler….

“Bunting put up for yesterday’s annual Flagler Day celebration still lines the streets of this prosperous farming community, 125 miles southeast of Denver. But yesterday’s happiness is today’s grief – for 20 are dead, killed or fatally injured at the peak of festivities.

“They were mowed down and at least 17 others injured as a low flying plane faltered, fell and cut a bloody path through 1,000 spectators and closely-lined automobiles at the air show section of the celebration. Today civil aeronautics administration inspectors worked over the scene, guarded throughout last night by a deputy sheriff to prevent tampering with wreckage. The gasoline soaked debris was spread over 150 yards.

“`I could see parts of the plane fly over the cars,” said Father Edward Dinan, Flagler Catholic priest,’ and the plane more or less splintered into bits.”

“The pilot of the monoplane, First Lt. Norman J. Jones of Denver, a student at the Lowry air force base photo school, died in the crash. His body was hurled out as the plane came apart and was found huddled among the automobiles.

“Witnesses said the civilian plane apparently was so low in a snap roll that a wing stubbed on the
ground or a car. The plane was owned by Bill Madsen, a Denver civil air patrol lieutenant colonel who was running the show for the Lions club.

“`The chaos that followed is beyond description,’ reported William J. Barker, a Denver Post reporter who was attending the air show. ‘Children died beside their parents. Women could be heard screaming the names of loved ones. It was like the end of the world. Bodies were everywhere. The blood was everywhere too. I personally counted 10 bodies in the first few seconds.’

“Twelve children were among the dead. The area was a scene of stark tragedy. Parents, their faces contorted in anguish, bent and kneeled over the bodies of children. Others searched frantically tor loved ones.

“Barker said the largest piece of the plane plowed into a group of five cars and the town’s only ambulance. Ironically, the ambulance, on the scene “in case of a crash, was demolished. Those sitting in it, Mrs. Verna Clapp, 30, wife of Deputy Coroner Ralph Clapp, and their daughter, Sandra, 3, were seriously injured.

“I saw bodies hurled into the air” said- Father Dinan. “I went over and helped those that were injured. I baptized youngsters of my faith and gave last rites to all of my faith that were dying and injured.” One of those he helped was farmer Charles Keller, who lost his wife, 43; daughter, 14, and a son, 6….” (Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “US Probes Air Crash Killing 20 at Flagler, Co.” 9-17-1951, p. 1.)

Sep 18, Associated Press: “Flagler, Colo., Sept. 18. – (AP) – Funeral services for 13 of the 20 victims of a tragic airplane crash into nearly 1,000 spectators at an air show here last Saturday will be held in this small eastern Colorado town today.

“Other services will, be held Wednesday and Thursday. The body of the pilot of the plane, First
Lt. Norman L. Jones, was taken from Denver to Los Angeles today. About 30 volunteers yesterday completed the grim task of digging graves for 16 persons here.

“While businessmen and schoolboys joined town and county employes and merchants in digging the graves, a six-man coroner’s jury met and placed blame for the tragedy. The jury ruled the 20 died of ‘injuries inflicted by an airplane crashing at the air show, due to the pilot’s error.’ Kit Carson County Coroner William Hendricks was in charge of the jury. He pointed out that Jones was flying too low in the civilian plane and had not received proper instruction before leaving Denver. Four witnesses told the jury the same story of how the plane’s wing snagged as the pilot did a barrel roll, sending the craft cartwheeling into spectators.

“Schools will be closed today and tomorrow for the funeral services and business establishments will be closed here today.” (Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “Coroner’s Jury Blames Pilot in Flagler Tragedy.” 9-18-1951, p. 1.)

Sep 20: “A stunting plane Saturday crashed into a crowded grandstand killing several people and the pilot. The accident occurred during an air show at Flagler, Colo., — an annual event authorized by the Civil Aeronautics Administration.

“Stunt flying is dangerous enough without tempting fate by having the plane do its tricks near the audience. It is said that most people attend auto races and such events with the idea they may see an accident, but few expect to be among the victims themselves. It seems that a responsible body like the C. A. A. should have rules governing such events . . . rules that would protect the audience from harm, as much, as possible.” (Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Stunting Too Close.” 9-20-1951, p. 16.)

Sep 20: “A Civil Aeronautics Board official says CAA regulations were violated in the air show plane crash which killed 20 persons and injured 17 at Flagler, Colo., last weekend. The reckless pilot is dead. He cannot be punished for flying so low that the plane’s wing snagged on wheat stubble as he did a barrel roll, cartwheeling the craft into the crowd. Punishment could not bring back to life the 13 children and the adults or restore the injured in the shocked community of 850 persons.

“The concerned layman will want to know why such air shows are permitted in the first place. Is a pilot required by law to get a permit and show his credentials before stunting before a crowd? Is he required by law to keep his stunting plane a safe distance from the spectators? The CAA has over-all responsibility for air safety, but the Flagler tragedy should cause aeronautical officers and legislators in the various states to take a long look at their regulations and inspection enforcement powers and facilities.” (Salt Lake Tribune. “Tragedy in Colorado” [Editorial]. 9-20-1951, p. 10.)

Sep 20: “Burdett – The Ralph Dovel family of Burdett narrowly escaped death at the Flagler, Colo., airplane tragedy. The story of how they escaped was reported to The News-Herald by Mrs. Dovel from Flagler where the family is visiting her parents… “The car we were in was the third in line removed from the first to be hit when the small plane crashed,” Mrs. Dovel said. “When it was over persons who were standing three feet from us were dead or injured. Blood and human flesh were spattered over us, in our hair and on the car top. “We were seated on the hood of my father’s car when it happened. As the plane approached I wondered when the pilot was going to pull the ship upward, figuring he surely knew what he was doing but not knowing it was out of control. “The plane approached from the south getting closer and closer at an angle. By the time it was in front of us it wasn’t over five feet west of the car. It finally hit the third car north of ours. “The plane was tipped sideways. The wing caught all the people in front of the cars. Twelve of the 20 were children. My little sisters, June and Shirley Wittig, were with three of their classmates when the crash occurred. “My sisters fell to the ground. Their classmates must have tried to run away from the crash because all three were killed.”

“Mrs. Dovel said she acted instinctively, pushing her own two children flat on the ground as the
plunging craft approached the car, then “hoped, prayed and wondered if it was going to miss us”.” (Hutchinson News Herald, KS. “Narrow Escape for Family.” 9-20-1951, p. 9.)

Sep 23, Associated Press: “Washington (AP) – New protection for spectators at air shows is being mapped by the civil aeronautics board. The CAB said Friday [Sep 21] new regulations may be set up as a result of the accident at Flagler, Colo. Last Saturday when 20 persons were killed by an out-of-control aircraft.

“In an unusual move the board named one of its own members, Joseph P. Adams, to sit in on hearings into the cause of the accident. They begin Oct. 4 in Flagler. Robert W. Chrisp, CAB safety investigation bureau official, will preside.” (Salina Journal, KS. “New Regulations for Air Shows.” 9-23-1951, p. 24.)

Sep 24, Associated Press: “Washington, Sept. 24 – (AP) — The Government will not permit air shows or exhibitions from now on unless they contribute to the advancement of aviation and public confidence in it. The Civil Aeronautics Administration, announcing a new policy yesterday, said it will not sanction aerial acrobatics not under direct radio control; delayed parachute jumping; dog fighting; intentional aircraft crashes; and similar hazardous operations.

“Charles F. Home, CAA Administrator, said…”I do not feel it is good public policy today to authorize departures from the carefully framed civil air regulations solely for the sake of thrills,”…” (Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Airshows Face Curbs.” 9-24-1951, p. 7.)

Sep 26: “Future U.S. air shows will be governed by a new policy under which air show permits will be issued for air races, air meets and similar aeronautical demonstrations ‘only when it is shown that such activities will contribute to the advancement of, and confidence in aviation.’

“This announcement was made in a Wednesday news release by Charles F. Home, CAA administrator, along with this explanation:

The new CAA policy does not rule out air shows entirely, but does ban certificates of waiver for those which include acrobatics not under-direct radio control provided by the certificate holder, delayed parachute jumping, dog fighting, “crazy” flying, intentional aircraft crashes, and similar unusual and hazardous types of aircraft operation

“The policy is a result of the recent accident at Flagler, Colo., where a plane crashed into a spectator crowd and killed several persons.” (Post-Register, Idaho Falls, ID. “New CAA Policy Curbs Air Shows.” 9-26-1951, p. 12.)

Sep 29: “Since the days when barnstorming pilots captured the popular imagination for aviation, the industry has made great strides. It is now an established and dependable method of transportation. To help retain that reputation the Civil Aeronautics administration has issued a ban against air shows staged primarily for thrills. The rule will affect stunt flying not under direct radio control, delayed parachute jumps, intentional crashes and other such thrill-making.

“Although the decision was no doubt hastened by the tragic air show accident at Flagler, Colo., where 20 persons were killed, the CAA maintains that it was made on the whole question of such shows rather than on the circumstances of one accident. The CAA does not want flying to be regarded as adventurous activity. It believes that the days when stunt flyers and daredevils were needed to stimulate interest in aviation are over.

“Such spectacular accidents as those which have sometimes resulted from stunt flying have helped to maintain an association of the idea of danger with flying. Such stunting with automobiles was once widespread, but has almost disappeared as the use of autos has become common and appreciation of their potential destructiveness has become general. It is recognized that careful and intelligent use contributes most to the advancement of the automobile industry. The aviation industry may now have reached a similar point. Its advancement can be most effectively hastened now by the most sensible and thoughtful operation of airplanes by those who fly them.” (Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. “Ban on Air Shows.” 9-29-1951, p. 4.)

Oct 10: “The American people like to be thrilled. They like to see men in the cage with wild animals. They may not enjoy the cruelty to animal shows like the Spanish or the Mexicans, but they do like the appearance of danger.

“We have thought every time we have seen planes stunting over football stadiums or fairs that the thrills did not compensate for the danger. It was not until the tragic accident of the plane at Flagler, Colorado, however, that such thrills turned into so many fatalities. There twenty persons were killed and many more injured. Thrills can be obtained without so much danger. We believe that stunting planes over great crowds ought to be stopped. The Flagler incident may accomplish this.” (Ada Evening News, OK. “Danger in Thrills” [Editorial]. 10-1-1951, p. 4.)

Oct 1: “Although the action of the Civil Aeronautics Administration came too late to save the lives of the 20 persons killed by a stunting pilot at Flagler, Colo., Sept. 15, new safety restrictions are nevertheless commendable. A new order from the CAA bars certain kinds of stunt flying from air shows.

“Stunting programs of this kind ought to be abolished entirely. Aviation has grown up from its reckless adolescence, which seemed to call for circus performances to advertise what a plane can do. Most everyone is more impressed nowadays with air safety records than stunts. Rolling over and diving are not the attractions they once were.

“The crash of a racing plane into a home in a Cleveland suburb during the Thompson trophy race two years ago called for tightening restrictions. The deaths of the pilot and a helpless mother and baby in this needless tragedy should have been followed by stricter rules and they might, in turn, have prevented the Flagler tragedy, the blame for which the Colorado Civil Air Patrol must share with the sponsoring service club. Now to have the stricter curbs rigidly enforced.” (Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “Belated Air Curbs” [Editorial]. 10-1-1951, p. 6.)

Sources

Ada Evening News, OK. “Danger in Thrills” [Editorial]. 10-1-1951, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52361801

Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Stunting Too Close.” 9-20-1951, p. 16. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=33028618

Daily Review, Hayward, CA. “News Highlights of 1951.” 12-26-1951, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=47147648

Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “Coroner’s Jury Blames Pilot in Flagler Tragedy.” 9-18-1951, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52010590

Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “U.S. Probes Air Crash Killing 20 at Flagler, Colo.” 9-17-1951, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52010582

Hutchinson News-Herald, KS. “Narrow Escape for Family.” 9-20-1951, p. 9. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img

Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Airshows Face Curbs.” 9-24-1951, p. 7. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=115708789

Lowell Sun, MA. “19 Killed as Stunting Plane Dives into Air Show Crowd.” 9-16-1951, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=55319963

Post-Register, Idaho Falls, ID. “New CAA Policy Curbs Air Shows.” 9-26-1951, p. 12. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img

Salina Journal, KS. “New Regulations for Air Shows.” 9-23-1951, p. 24. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=89463089

Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “Belated Air Curbs” [Editorial]. 10-1-1951, p. 6. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=93491239

Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “Tragedy in Colorado” [Editorial]. 9-20-1951, p. 10. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=93498613

Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. “Ban on Air Shows.” 9-29-1951, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=51313254