1957 collision over pacoima

For some reason I stopped running and put my head down on the back of the portable bleachers. I remember how scared my brother and I were, I still can vividly see that that plane crashing. My parents were friends with Evan Elsners parents, and we stayed at their Pacoima house several times in the years following the tragedy. And thank you very much for your take on that sad day. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Unfortunately it was not well publicized and many more would have like to attend. As horrible as it was for the badly injured and, of course, the surviving families, had the plane slammed into the auditorium, with you, your mom, my father and a few hundred other souls inside, the devastation would have been too awful to imagine. You can find the story at: http://www.cemeteryguide.com/gotw-pacoima.html. When they finally let us out of school with instruction to go home, we all went over to the Jr. high school to look. Both jets and the DC-7B were performing their individual tests at an altitude of 25,000 feet (7,600m) in clear skies over the San Fernando Valley when, at about 11:18a.m., a high-speed, near-head-on midair collision occurred. I think you lived near me we were on Obeck Ave, between Kagel Cyn. My mother, long story short, worked full-time for several dentists in Santa Monica, enabling my brother and I to graduate from Palisades High School. I remember a thump then the screaming sound of the plane. Thanks for your perspective on that day. I was just a baby living in Pacoima at the time on Cedros Ave. Having not heard of this terrible event until now, it makes me wonder if it was the incentive for my parents to move us away from Pacoima in 1958. Prior to the plane crash, my row was drawing/painting on easels next to the windows. When I first posted the crash audio and story, I wasnt sure what to expect. I now know. Other commenters remember the same chilling sight. We were both very lucky that day. Say goodbye to everybody were going in. The navigator of the F-89 had parachuted safely to the ground immediately after his jets near head-on collision with the larger aircraft. Or did the magnitude of what you had witnessed come later? The post Haiti, April 2023: Soon There Will Be No One Left to Kidnap appeared first on The Nation. As a young childno. After just watching The Ritchie Valens movie again, I binged this site. Man, those would be difficult images to shake as a kid or as an adult, for that matter. The sky was sprinkled with what looked like silver paper fluttering over our heads. You know, you are not alone in your memory of seeing the pilot gesturing from the cockpit. I went to Pacoima Jr. High in the mid-70s and remember some of my neighbors in Arleta speaking about it. I wondered if I actually saw the debris in the air, but now I believe I did. The image of a hunk of metal slicing through an elementary school classroom is terrifying. We would inevitably degenerate into everythings wild, which signaled the end was near. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. We were all taken out as if a fire drill and watched a parachute decending. I guess 20,000 + feet. I didnt look up, but I remember the horrible loud sound, like nothing natural, and then the crash and the earth shook. I still hear the sound of the crash, and the moments after. Anyway after school mom would drive us all over to Joyces house to pick her up for babysitting. Im now 63, born in 1952. Well she was right. still later my father showed up to take me home from school in the middle of the afternoon and told me what had happened. Except I went to Pacas (Pacoima for those Sherman Oaks folks) in the mid-60s. Hi, my distant cousin was Evan Clark Meddy Elsner who was killed as a result of this crash. Its crazy how she just said we have one life to live right before it happened. I havent seen it in years. The Eight Victims of the Mid-Air Collision and Crash in Pacoima Jan. 31, 1957 Jan. 5, 2013-- On Thursday, Jan. 31, 1957, at about 10:15 a.m. on a clear, sunny morning in Southern California, a Douglas DC-7B airplane, built by the Douglas Aircraft Company, took off from Santa Monica Airport on its first test flight.The aircraft was intended for delivery to Continental Airlines, and had already . I saw a photo of a kid (student?) Small wonder. Thanks again, Sheryl. I havent yet been able to find out the cause of Coach Vardanians untimely death. Its right side engine and possibly wing was on fire. lided over the Grand Canyon. Hundreds of mothers in the neighborhood were also running toward the school, all of them screaming as we all descended on the horrible sight. I ran out of my classroom and saw the plane spiraling down and then the huge plume of smoke. Terrifying moments seem to go by in slo-mo. Halfway through the recording immediately after graduation speakerLinda Latrelle says We have only one life to live the DC-7 can be heard plummeting into the schools athletic field just a few hundred feet from the auditorium. Not long after that we moved to Northern California. As you can see from the comments here, you are not alone. Thanks for contributing your vivid memory of that day. If any reader happens to know what exactly was going on in the auditorium at the time of the crash, please write. Scared the crap out of everyone. They are very much appreciated. Our conversation focused on the plane crash. 8th and 9th grades. One of the engines slide into the next set of bleached, where I would have been If I had not stopped. [citation needed], The 1957 crash was discussed on the May 19, 1957, episode of The CBS Radio Workshop (entitled "Heaven Is In the Sky"). And yes, please, feel free to include the link. We were unable to find an existing triage system to use. For some, a life-changer. Im working on a book about the Pacoima crash, surrounding events and people. I too have some rare family video that is hosted on a pay site and worry now it might be lost to future generations when I stop paying the hosting fees when Im gone. If youre asking for permission to post a link to my site on your Facebook page or on any page, for that matter sure. The plane was heading toward Pacoima Jr. High. Im so glad you were able to remember the coachs name Coach Vardanien. Our scenario was crop duster versus military troop transport. I havent heard about any reunion in the offing but its a good idea. Since I went to Pacoima 64-67, I missed him too. He told me that hes not sure he wants to listen to the tape, but Ill bet he will. So he decided to record the speeches during this pre-graduation ceremony in front of the student body. My mom came running out of the house, screaming for me to come home. The fire bells started ringing and we were led outside. From one Poly high alum to another, I really appreciate the thanks at your sign-off; I am now more convinced that posting this story/recording was a good thing to do. The fighter jet's pilot, Roland E. Owen, died when the aircraft plummeted in flames into La Tuna Canyon in the Verdugo Mountains. Hello Phyllis, I was in the auditorium getting ready to graduate.LInda Lutrell was a very good friend of mine.I will never forget that day and just now listened to the recording.I was shocked at my reaction to it.I went to grade school and Jr. High with Linda and wouod love to connect with her again,its been years..My name then was Lana Brosamle.Linda was in our little group of girls.Pat Cox, Dorothy Alexander, Marlene Sherman. He was in Kindergarden at the school next door to Pacoima Jr High. From a fellow Beachy-ite, thanks for commenting An interesting bit of info regarding the parachuting radioman from the fighter jet: the heat in his cockpit was so intense that sparks ignited a few spots on his parachute. Its been a while since I was in the LA school system. Did you ever go by the name Rusty? The comments here show how deeply etched that day is in so many peoples memories. Against the sound of 800 frightened students and a distant fire bell, an unintelligible announcement is made on the P.A. Unfortunately, I havent a clue what the answer is. He was serious about educating his students and always had a very classy demeanor. As I looked out the window, almost instantly people came from nowhere. Im picturing Mr. Snyder hurling you back inside the classroom man, what a day! I am also very very happy that the interest for the story have been widespread, because i feel its only these childrens right to be remembered atleast since they passed away so early. Yes, it is striking how deeply and indelibly the images of the crash are embedded in the witness brains. Im delighted that a) you used it and b) it worked for you. The pilot, Roland Earl Owen, 35, of Palmdale, went down with the jet in La Tuna Canyon; the radar operator, Curtiss A. Adams, 27, parachuted to safety. I think for me it was validating. If not, I have yours and Ill send it to you. [4], The DC-7B, with a portion of its left wing shorn off, remained airborne for a few minutes. If nothing else came from your efforts you should be satisfied that you helped out a survivor! HE PLAYED DURING LUNCH AND WHEN EVER ANY ONE WOULD LISTEN. Things were a mess on the other side of the fence from us. I think my sister and my father knew your cousin. The plane crash last month wasn't the first for Pacoima residents. My mother and friends mother were in the auditorium as well. Distinct craters were made in the playground by each of the four engines and the main center fuselage section. Also just recently read from another site that indeed coach Vardanien was there to help the wounded and later would be my PE teacher at Poly and a track coach at Poly. [citation needed], 7 Die as Planes Collide and One Falls in Schoolyard; PLANES COLLIDE, SCHOOL YARD HIT Roar Alerts Students 'Everything on Fire' Witness Describes Crash, "The day fiery disaster fell from the sky", "Childhood pal recalls Ritchie Valens as 'sweet,' 'tough' from California home", "On Pacoima Playground With Ritchie Valens: Grief Moves Him to Save Lives", "Ritchie Valens | Biography, Songs, Plane Crash, Donna, La Bamba, & Facts | Britannica", "The Definitive CBS Radio Workshop Radio Log with Parley Baer, Herb Butterfield and William Conrad", ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-7B N8210H Sunland, CA, CBS Radio Workshop, Episode "Heaven Is In the Sky", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1957_Pacoima_mid-air_collision&oldid=1136726390, Santa Monica Airport, Santa Monica, California, United States, This page was last edited on 31 January 2023, at 20:52. 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