128 People Fatally Injured In Mid-Air Collision

The site of an accident which occurred in 1956 has been designated a national landmark.

The site was designated the 1956 Grand Canyon TWA-United Airlines Aviation Accident Site, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. On June 30, 1956, a Trans World Airlines Super Constellation L-1049 and a United Airlines DC-7 collided in uncongested airspace 21,000 feet over the Grand Canyon in Arizona, killing all 128 people onboard the two flights. The tragedy spurred an unprecedented effort to modernize and increase safety in America’s postwar airways, culminating in the establishment of the modern FAA. Other improvements that resulted from the crash included nationwide radar coverage, a common military/civilian navigation system, and the development of technologies such as collision avoidance systems and flight data recorders.

The announcement was made as part of National Park Week, an annual event honoring the natural beauty and cultural heritage contained in America’s national parks. The National Historic Landmarks Program is one of more than a dozen programs administered by the National Park Service that provide states and local communities technical assistance, recognition, and funding to help preserve our nation’s shared history and create close-to-home recreation opportunities. Three other sites were named national landmarks at the same time, “As the National Park Service approaches its Centennial observance in 2016, we are seeking ways to highlight and share the breadth of the American experience,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis.  “These new national historic showcase the rich, diverse, and complex history of our nation’s story, as well as drive tourism and boost local economies.”

FMI: www.nps.gov