1959 — June 26, TWA 891 fuel explos., thunderstorm static electricity, Olgiate Olana, Italy-37 US/70
–70 Olgiateolona26giugno1959.org. The seventy immortal lives. “Ten flags for the seventy…”
–68 Robinson Library, Fredonia, KS. In the Year…1959. “Disasters. Aviation.” 5-7-2017 update.
–40 US of 70. AP. “Cause of TWA Crash Listed.” Daytona Beach Morning Journal, 11-25-1960
–37 US crew (6) and passengers (30, plus unborn child); from plane component of 70.[1]
Narrative Information
Olgiateolona26giugno1959.org: “Every year on June 26 in Olgiate Olona ten flags commemorate the nationality of the seventy immortal lives and represent the Countries of the world that were more or less directly struck by the disaster. Eight flags correspond to those of eight nationalities of the immortal lives: United States of America (37 passengers, considering the unborn creature), Italy (16), France (7), United Kingdom (4), Chile (3), Germany (1), Israel (1), Egypt (1). The other two flags – those of the European Union and of the United Nations – symbolize eight other Countries struck by the disaster of June 26, 1959 because of the birthplaces of some of the seventy victims: Greece, Spain, Romania, Poland, Russia, Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia in 1959), Algeria, Sudan. Thus, the Countries involved in the plane crash of Olgiate Olona are sixteen in total. More specifically, among the U.S. victims eight were born in Italy, two in Greece, one in Spain, one in Czechoslovakia and one in Russia; among the French victims, two were born in Algeria, one in Egypt, one in Poland; one of the Italian victims was born in Egypt; the Israeli victim was born in Romania; the Egyptian victim was born in Sudan.”
Robinson Library: “June 26. A Trans World Airlines Lockheed L-1694A Starliner en route from Athens Greece, to Chicago, Illinois, disintegrated in a thunderstorm shortly after take-off from Milan, Italy, killing all 68 persons aboard. Witnesses reported that the place exploded after being struck by lightning. Debris was scattered over an area of five miles.” (Robinson Library, Fredonia, KS. In the Year…1959. “Disasters. Aviation.” 5-7-2017 update.)
Settanta Vite Immortali: “Friday June 26, 1959. The town of Olgiate Olona was miraculously saved from a plane crash (the fifth worst disaster of civil Aviation in Italy) which shocked all the world: the Trans World Airlines (TWA) four-engine Lockheed L-1649A Super Constellation Starliner Jetstream (reg. No. N7313C) – flight 891: Athens-Rome-Milan-Paris-Chicago – just taken off from Milan-Malpensa Airport during a storm, was struck by lightning and crashed in flames losing the engines and the rudder; the fuselage with seventy people on board (they were from eight Countries: USA, Italy, United Kingdom, France, Chile, Germany, Egypt, Israel) crashed near Cascina Agnese missing the town for a few dozen of meters. All the people on board perished and the prompt intervention of rescuers was vain. The corpses were recovered on June 27, 1959 and the coffins were brought to the basilica of St. John the Baptist in Busto Arsizio where on June 28, 1959 the funerals were celebrated. The investigation of the Judiciary ended with the dismissal of the case, while the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) confirmed that the breaking up in flight was due to a lightning that ignited the fuel vapors contained in tank No. 7 coming out from the vent outlets.” (Settanta Vite Immortali. Olgiate Olona – 26 guigno. “Featured story – October 9, 2017. Commemoration …”)
“Every year on June 26 in Olgiate Olona ten flags commemorate the nationality of the seventy immortal lives and represent the Countries of the world that were more or less directly struck by the disaster. Eight flags correspond to those of eight nationalities of the immortal lives: United States of America (37 passengers, considering the unborn creature), Italy (16), France (7), United Kingdom (4), Chile (3), Germany (1), Israel (1), Egypt (1). The other two flags – those of the European Union and of the United Nations – symbolize eight other Countries struck by the disaster of June 26, 1959 because of the birthplaces of some of the seventy victims: Greece, Spain, Romania, Poland, Russia, Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia in 1959), Algeria, Sudan. Thus, the Countries involved in the plane crash of Olgiate Olona are sixteen in total. More specifically, among the U.S. victims eight were born in Italy, two in Greece, one in Spain, one in Czechoslovakia and one in Russia; among the French victims, two were born in Algeria, one in Egypt, one in Poland; one of the Italian victims was born in Egypt; the Israeli victim was born in Romania; the Egyptian victim was born in Sudan.
Newspaper
Nov 25, 1960: “Washington (AP) — An Italian inquiry board has concluded that the 1959 crash of a Trans World Airlines plane in Italy was caused by a gasoline explosion touched off in flight by static electricity. Sixty eight were killed. The board said this theory ‘presents the highest degree of plausibility’ as compared with all the others considered.
“The Italian panel said thorough study failed to disclose any evidence of possible sabotage.
“All 68 persons — 40 of them U.S. citizens — aboard the Lockheed Super Constellation plane were killed. The accident occurred June 26, 15 minutes after the airliner took off from Milan for Paris, flying into an area of clouds, rain and some thunder and lightning.
“The Italian report, not distributed generally in Italy, was made publicly here by the Civil Aeronautics Board….
“The Italian board said it thoroughly investigated, and dismissed, the possibility of structural failure due to metal fatigue, excessive stress, excessive speed, or overloading.” (AP. “Cause of TWA Crash Listed.” Daytona Beach Morning Journal, 11-25-1960, p. 2.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Cause of TWA Crash Listed.” Daytona Beach Morning Journal, 11-25-1960, p. 2. Accessed 10-10-2017 at: https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=43seAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-ckEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1380,4327124&dq=milan+twa+crash&hl=en
Olgiateolona26giugno1959.org. The seventy immoral lives. “Ten flags for the seventy immortal lives and the sixteen Countries of the world struck by the disaster.” Accessed 10-13-2017 at: https://www.olgiateolona26giugno1959.org/70imm_e.html
Robinson Library, Fredonia, KS. In the Year…1959. “Disasters. Aviation.” 5-7-2017 update. Accessed 10-10-2017 at: http://www.robinsonlibrary.com/general/reference/intheyear/1959/disasters.htm
Settanta Vite Immortali. Olgiate Olona – 26 guigno. “Featured story – October 9, 2017. Commemoration …” Accessed 10-10-2017 at: https://www.olgiateolona26giugno1959.org/indexeng.html
[1] Olgiateolona26giugno1959.org. A list of the names of the Victims and their ages is provided at this site. The pilot, co-pilot, first officer, relief pilot, and two flight engineer were U.S. citizens.