2. Aviation Artifact Archive

Aerophilately (Air Mail Crash Covers)

Since the early 1920s, many commercial passenger and cargo aircraft carried mail under contract for the U.S. Postal Service.

When an aircraft accident occurs, the damaged and undamaged mail is collected by postal inspectors at the site. The mail is than processed, and after being stamped or marked delayed it is forwarded to the addressee on the envelope. In most cases, after receiving the mail the envelope is tossed in the trash. In some cases they were kept and saved by collectors. The pieces of damaged air mail are known as "Crash Covers".

Crash Covers commemorate and symbolize, as no other covers do, that part of air mail history that Charles Lindbergh was pointing to--the side of risk, the side of sacrifice--when he wrote in his book, "The Spirit of St. Louis".

This gallery features not only the LostFlights Archive Collection of crash covers, but also covers from other collectors.
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  • A United States Postal Inspector in Flagstaff sorting through air mail recovered from the 1956 mid-air collision at Grand Canyon, Arizona. (Life Magazine 1956).

    A United States Postal Inspector in Flagstaff sorting through air mail recovered from the 1956 mid-air collision at Grand Canyon, Arizona. (Life Magazine 1956).

  • January 10, 1930<br /> Western Air Express, Corp.<br /> Contract Air Mail Route (CAM-4)<br /> Boeing 95 Mailplane (NC420E)<br /> Near Cedar City, Utah<br /> <br /> Weather was the major factor in a large number of early commercial aviation accidents as in the crash of Air Mail Pilot Maurice (Maury) Graham, who left Los Angeles on January 10, 1930 for Salt Lake City. <br /> <br /> The plane was finally found June 24, 1930, near Cedar City, Utah only after the snow melted. One month later the pilot's body was found, with the mail intact, six miles away from the crash site. Graham attempted to hike to safety in 8-foot snowdrifts and sadly fell to his death off an 800 foot cliff. (LostFlights Collection)

    January 10, 1930
    Western Air Express, Corp.
    Contract Air Mail Route (CAM-4)
    Boeing 95 Mailplane (NC420E)
    Near Cedar City, Utah

    Weather was the major factor in a large number of early commercial aviation accidents as in the crash of Air Mail Pilot Maurice (Maury) Graham, who left Los Angeles on January 10, 1930 for Salt Lake City.

    The plane was finally found June 24, 1930, near Cedar City, Utah only after the snow melted. One month later the pilot's body was found, with the mail intact, six miles away from the crash site. Graham attempted to hike to safety in 8-foot snowdrifts and sadly fell to his death off an 800 foot cliff. (LostFlights Collection)

  • March 31, 1931<br /> Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc.<br /> Fokker F10A Tri-Motor (NC999)<br /> Bazaar, Kansas<br /> <br /> An air mail cover from the flight that crashed and killed football championship player and Notre Dame Coach Knute Rockne. <br /> <br /> The envelope was part of a larger cache of Air Mail carried aboard T&WA Flight 599, a Fokker F10A Tri-Motor. The plane was flying in smooth air when the right wing separated during flight. The plane crashed in a Kansas wheat field killing eight people including Rockne. Fatigue cracks in the plywood spar was the determined cause. <br /> <br /> The cover was recently sold on eBay for $1,430.00. This cover is not part of my collection (unfortunately).

    March 31, 1931
    Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc.
    Fokker F10A Tri-Motor (NC999)
    Bazaar, Kansas

    An air mail cover from the flight that crashed and killed football championship player and Notre Dame Coach Knute Rockne.

    The envelope was part of a larger cache of Air Mail carried aboard T&WA Flight 599, a Fokker F10A Tri-Motor. The plane was flying in smooth air when the right wing separated during flight. The plane crashed in a Kansas wheat field killing eight people including Rockne. Fatigue cracks in the plywood spar was the determined cause.

    The cover was recently sold on eBay for $1,430.00. This cover is not part of my collection (unfortunately).

    0808152

  • December 15, 1936<br /> Western Air Express, Inc.<br /> Boeing 247D (NC13370)<br /> Near Salt Lake City, Utah<br /> <br /> Western Air Express Trip No. 6 originated in Burbank, California with stops in Las Vegas, Nevada and Salt Lake City, Utah. During the approach to Salt Lake City, the flight encountered snow static which rendered the aircraft's navigation receivers inoperative.<br /> <br /> Without a definite course to follow, the flight drifted east into mountainous terrain. WAL Trip 6 crashed into Lone Peak in the Wasatch Range killing all 7 passengers and crew.<br /> <br /> An extensive search of the aircraft followed, which included Amelia Earhardt participating in the effort. The aircraft wreckage was eventually located during July 1937. (LostFlights Collection)

    December 15, 1936
    Western Air Express, Inc.
    Boeing 247D (NC13370)
    Near Salt Lake City, Utah

    Western Air Express Trip No. 6 originated in Burbank, California with stops in Las Vegas, Nevada and Salt Lake City, Utah. During the approach to Salt Lake City, the flight encountered snow static which rendered the aircraft's navigation receivers inoperative.

    Without a definite course to follow, the flight drifted east into mountainous terrain. WAL Trip 6 crashed into Lone Peak in the Wasatch Range killing all 7 passengers and crew.

    An extensive search of the aircraft followed, which included Amelia Earhardt participating in the effort. The aircraft wreckage was eventually located during July 1937. (LostFlights Collection)

  • Another envelope postmarked in Los Angeles from the ill-fated Western Air Express Trip No. 6. (LostFlights Collection)

    Another envelope postmarked in Los Angeles from the ill-fated Western Air Express Trip No. 6. (LostFlights Collection)

    10046

  • This crash cover from the airship "Hindenburg" is reported as genuine. (Private Collection)

    This crash cover from the airship "Hindenburg" is reported as genuine. (Private Collection)

  • **FAKE** HINDENBURG DISASTER CRASH COVERS<br /> <br /> This crash cover was reported to be from the German Zeppelin "Hindenburg". It was determined to be a fake by experts. The over smudging on the envelope and the typed address (Passenger Dolan handwrote addresses) were the clues. <br /> <br /> The cover never achieved a bid on it's eBay auction. The bidding began at $11,799.00. (Unknown Collection)

    **FAKE** HINDENBURG DISASTER CRASH COVERS

    This crash cover was reported to be from the German Zeppelin "Hindenburg". It was determined to be a fake by experts. The over smudging on the envelope and the typed address (Passenger Dolan handwrote addresses) were the clues.

    The cover never achieved a bid on it's eBay auction. The bidding began at $11,799.00. (Unknown Collection)

  • This fake Hindenburg cover, supposedly reduced to fragments from the disaster and age was placed in an auction in Holland before being discovered and removed from sale. (Unknown Collection)

    This fake Hindenburg cover, supposedly reduced to fragments from the disaster and age was placed in an auction in Holland before being discovered and removed from sale. (Unknown Collection)

  • Another fake Hindenburg cover was recently placed for bid in the Stanley Gibbons Auctions Catalogue (October 2014). The auction estimate was £7,000 - £8,000. The London based auction house was notified of the fraudulent cover. (Unknown Collection)

    Another fake Hindenburg cover was recently placed for bid in the Stanley Gibbons Auctions Catalogue (October 2014). The auction estimate was £7,000 - £8,000. The London based auction house was notified of the fraudulent cover. (Unknown Collection)

  • October 17, 1937<br /> United Air Lines, Inc.<br /> Douglas DC-3A (NC16074)<br /> Humpy Ridge, Utah

    October 17, 1937
    United Air Lines, Inc.
    Douglas DC-3A (NC16074)
    Humpy Ridge, Utah

  • January 16, 1942<br /> Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc.<br /> Douglas DC-3 (NC1946)<br /> Potosi Mountain near Las Vegas, Nevada<br /> <br /> TWA Flight 3, Douglas DC-3 (NC1946) impacted 8,500 foot Potosi Mountain at the 8,000 foot level. 22 passengers and crew killed, including actress Carole Lombard and her mother. <br /> <br /> A total of 198 pounds of mail was on board TWA Flight 3 when it crashed into Potosi Mountain. It is said that only eight covers are known to exist from the 66 pounds of mail recovered at the site. Pictured are six air mail covers. <br /> <br /> This cover from TWA Flight 3 was postmarked on the morning January 16, 1942 in Kansas City. This letter barely made the flight before departure. (LostFlights Collection)

    January 16, 1942
    Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc.
    Douglas DC-3 (NC1946)
    Potosi Mountain near Las Vegas, Nevada

    TWA Flight 3, Douglas DC-3 (NC1946) impacted 8,500 foot Potosi Mountain at the 8,000 foot level. 22 passengers and crew killed, including actress Carole Lombard and her mother.

    A total of 198 pounds of mail was on board TWA Flight 3 when it crashed into Potosi Mountain. It is said that only eight covers are known to exist from the 66 pounds of mail recovered at the site. Pictured are six air mail covers.

    This cover from TWA Flight 3 was postmarked on the morning January 16, 1942 in Kansas City. This letter barely made the flight before departure. (LostFlights Collection)

  • This recovered letter from TWA Flight 3 was postmarked on the evening of January 15th in Cinncinatti, Ohio and was picked up with other air mail during the flight's brief stop at this midwest city. (Thomas J. Richards Collection)

    This recovered letter from TWA Flight 3 was postmarked on the evening of January 15th in Cinncinatti, Ohio and was picked up with other air mail during the flight's brief stop at this midwest city. (Thomas J. Richards Collection)

    figure201

  • This TWA Flight 3 cover was postmarked in Peoria, Illinois on January 15th and made it onto the ill-fated flight through St. Louis, MO.<br /> <br /> What makes this particular cover rare is the postal stamp stating "DELAY". (LostFlights Collection)

    This TWA Flight 3 cover was postmarked in Peoria, Illinois on January 15th and made it onto the ill-fated flight through St. Louis, MO.

    What makes this particular cover rare is the postal stamp stating "DELAY". (LostFlights Collection)

  • Another Cover from Flight 3 with a "DELAY" postal stamp and it's origination post mark of Brooklyn, New York of January 15, 1942. New York City was the origination of TWA Flight 3's Transcontinental Route. (LostFlights Collection)

    Another Cover from Flight 3 with a "DELAY" postal stamp and it's origination post mark of Brooklyn, New York of January 15, 1942. New York City was the origination of TWA Flight 3's Transcontinental Route. (LostFlights Collection)

    KGrHqVo0FHcnjwrFBQQVI5W

  • Kansas City was the "main hub" for TWA and was a stop for TWA Flight 3. It was not unusual for the flight to take on a majority of it's load of air mail at this location. (Private Collection)

    Kansas City was the "main hub" for TWA and was a stop for TWA Flight 3. It was not unusual for the flight to take on a majority of it's load of air mail at this location. (Private Collection)

    lombardcover

  • This Flight 3 cover was discovered at an estate sale by Vicky Nelson of Santa Clarita, California and was recently acquired by LostFlights. <br /> <br /> Postmarked on the evening of January 15, 1942 in Indianapolis, this cover is the only remaining piece of recovered air mail in known existence that originated at Carole Lombard's boarding point. (LostFlights Collection)

    This Flight 3 cover was discovered at an estate sale by Vicky Nelson of Santa Clarita, California and was recently acquired by LostFlights.

    Postmarked on the evening of January 15, 1942 in Indianapolis, this cover is the only remaining piece of recovered air mail in known existence that originated at Carole Lombard's boarding point. (LostFlights Collection)

  • The above crash cover included a partially burned letter and the postal service delivery envelope known unofficially as an "Ambulance Cover" (LostFlights Collection)

    The above crash cover included a partially burned letter and the postal service delivery envelope known unofficially as an "Ambulance Cover" (LostFlights Collection)

  • The U.S. Postal Service delay stamp on the back of the cover that denotes the mail was recovered from the TWA Flight 3 accident site. (LostFlights Collection)

    The U.S. Postal Service delay stamp on the back of the cover that denotes the mail was recovered from the TWA Flight 3 accident site. (LostFlights Collection)

  • This burned fragment of a TWA route plan page was most likely picked up with recovered mail at the crash site and processed by the postal service as recovered air mail. <br /> <br /> Obviously not mail, but having it stamped as such makes it rare and worth the $1,700 recently paid at auction. (Courtesy of H.R. Harmers Auctions)

    This burned fragment of a TWA route plan page was most likely picked up with recovered mail at the crash site and processed by the postal service as recovered air mail.

    Obviously not mail, but having it stamped as such makes it rare and worth the $1,700 recently paid at auction. (Courtesy of H.R. Harmers Auctions)

    112605

  • October 24, 1947<br /> United Air Lines Inc. <br /> Douglas DC-6 (NC37510)<br /> Bryce Canyon, Utah<br /> <br /> United Air Lines Flight 608 a Douglas DC-6 (NC37510) was on a flight from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL when it crashed at 12:29 pm on October 24, 1947 about 1.5 miles southeast of Bryce Canyon Airport, Utah, killing all 5 crew members and 47 passengers. (LostFlights Collection)

    October 24, 1947
    United Air Lines Inc.
    Douglas DC-6 (NC37510)
    Bryce Canyon, Utah

    United Air Lines Flight 608 a Douglas DC-6 (NC37510) was on a flight from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL when it crashed at 12:29 pm on October 24, 1947 about 1.5 miles southeast of Bryce Canyon Airport, Utah, killing all 5 crew members and 47 passengers. (LostFlights Collection)

  • This cover from UAL Flight 608 also sustained fire damage, but was deliverable. (LostFlights Collection)

    This cover from UAL Flight 608 also sustained fire damage, but was deliverable. (LostFlights Collection)

  • June 30, 1951<br /> United Air Lines, Inc.<br /> Douglas DC-6 (N37543)<br /> Crystal Mountain near Fort Collins, Colorado<br /> <br /> United Air Lines Flight 610, utilizing a Douglas DC-6 aircraft (N37543), and named "Mainliner Overland Trail," was on a transcontinental flight from San Francisco-Oakland-Salt Lake City-Denver-Chicago when it crashed near Fort Collins, Colorado on June 30, 1951. The plane was transporting 50 persons (45 passengers and 5 crew members), all of whom perished in the accident. (LostFlights Collection)

    June 30, 1951
    United Air Lines, Inc.
    Douglas DC-6 (N37543)
    Crystal Mountain near Fort Collins, Colorado

    United Air Lines Flight 610, utilizing a Douglas DC-6 aircraft (N37543), and named "Mainliner Overland Trail," was on a transcontinental flight from San Francisco-Oakland-Salt Lake City-Denver-Chicago when it crashed near Fort Collins, Colorado on June 30, 1951. The plane was transporting 50 persons (45 passengers and 5 crew members), all of whom perished in the accident. (LostFlights Collection)

  • December 25, 1954<br /> British Overseas Airline Corporation (BOAC)<br /> Boeing 377 Stratocruiser (G-ALSA)<br /> Prestwick, Scotland<br /> <br /> The Stratocruiser was high on the approach to Prestwick. The aircraft entered a steep descent, but flare out came too late. Following a heavy landing, the plane ran onto the runway, became airborne and crashed. <br /> <br /> As a result the aircraft impacted the ground short of the runway threshold. Pilot error was cited as the cause of the accident in which 28 of the 36 souls on board perished. (LostFlights Collection)

    December 25, 1954
    British Overseas Airline Corporation (BOAC)
    Boeing 377 Stratocruiser (G-ALSA)
    Prestwick, Scotland

    The Stratocruiser was high on the approach to Prestwick. The aircraft entered a steep descent, but flare out came too late. Following a heavy landing, the plane ran onto the runway, became airborne and crashed.

    As a result the aircraft impacted the ground short of the runway threshold. Pilot error was cited as the cause of the accident in which 28 of the 36 souls on board perished. (LostFlights Collection)

  • October 6, 1955<br /> United Air Lines, Inc.<br /> Douglas C-54-DC (N30062)<br /> Medicine Bow Peak, Wyoming<br /> <br /> United Air Lines Flight 409 was a scheduled flight departing from Denver, Colorado to Salt Lake City, Utah. The aircraft was a post-war converted Douglas C-54-DC / DC-4. The aircraft crashed into Medicine Bow Peak, near Centennial, Wyoming, killing all 66 people on board (63 passengers, 3 crew members) At the time, this was the worst crash in U.S. commercial aviation history.<br /> <br /> The probable cause of the accident was the action of the pilot in deviating from the planned route for reasons unknown. This cover and the one below are in relatively decent condition considering the high impact forces involved in the accident. (LostFlights Collection)

    October 6, 1955
    United Air Lines, Inc.
    Douglas C-54-DC (N30062)
    Medicine Bow Peak, Wyoming

    United Air Lines Flight 409 was a scheduled flight departing from Denver, Colorado to Salt Lake City, Utah. The aircraft was a post-war converted Douglas C-54-DC / DC-4. The aircraft crashed into Medicine Bow Peak, near Centennial, Wyoming, killing all 66 people on board (63 passengers, 3 crew members) At the time, this was the worst crash in U.S. commercial aviation history.

    The probable cause of the accident was the action of the pilot in deviating from the planned route for reasons unknown. This cover and the one below are in relatively decent condition considering the high impact forces involved in the accident. (LostFlights Collection)

  • Another example of a crash cover from United Air Lines Flight 409 that crashed into Medicine Bow Peak in Wyoming. (LostFlights Collection)

    Another example of a crash cover from United Air Lines Flight 409 that crashed into Medicine Bow Peak in Wyoming. (LostFlights Collection)

    crashcove12447571755307

  • December 17, 1955<br /> Riddle Airlines, Inc.<br /> Curtiss C-46A-45-CU (N9904F)<br /> Hollywood, South Carolina<br /> <br /> The Curtiss cargo plane crashed in a cornfield and caught fire. The probable cause was an in-flight structural failure resulting from a violent pitch-down induced by the erratic action of nonconforming elevator tab controls. The accident killed the crew of two.<br /> <br /> The two covers shown have visible damage from the accident. (LostFlights Collection)

    December 17, 1955
    Riddle Airlines, Inc.
    Curtiss C-46A-45-CU (N9904F)
    Hollywood, South Carolina

    The Curtiss cargo plane crashed in a cornfield and caught fire. The probable cause was an in-flight structural failure resulting from a violent pitch-down induced by the erratic action of nonconforming elevator tab controls. The accident killed the crew of two.

    The two covers shown have visible damage from the accident. (LostFlights Collection)

  • June 30, 1956<br /> United Air Lines, Inc.<br /> Douglas DC-7 (N6324C)<br /> Trans World Airlines, Inc.<br /> Lockheed L-1049 (N6902C)<br /> Grand Canyon, Arizona<br /> <br /> These accident covers are extremely rare. Once in a great while they show up for auction. The example pictured is from a UPI Photo at the time of the accident. (UPI Photo)

    June 30, 1956
    United Air Lines, Inc.
    Douglas DC-7 (N6324C)
    Trans World Airlines, Inc.
    Lockheed L-1049 (N6902C)
    Grand Canyon, Arizona

    These accident covers are extremely rare. Once in a great while they show up for auction. The example pictured is from a UPI Photo at the time of the accident. (UPI Photo)

    Damagedmail1

  • April 21, 1958<br /> United Air Lines, Inc.<br /> Douglas DC-7 (N6328C)<br /> USAF F-100F (56-3755)<br /> Near Las Vegas, Nevada<br /> <br /> United Air Lines Flight 736, a Douglas DC-7 took off from Los Angeles (LAX) at 7:37AM on a flight to New York (JFK) with a planned cruising altitude of 21,000 feet. On board were 42 passengers and a crew of 5.<br /> <br /> At about 7:45AM a US Air Force North American F-100F-5-NA Super Sabre fighter took off from Nellis Air Force Base on an instrument training flight. At 8:30AM, the fighter plane pilot reported that they were descending from 28,000 feet. At the same time, United Flight 736 was approaching Las Vegas. <br /> <br /> Both aircraft collided head-on at 21,000 feet. The closure speed was about 665 knots. All 47 persons were killed on the DC-7 as well as the 2 pilots on the F-100F. (LostFlights Collection)

    April 21, 1958
    United Air Lines, Inc.
    Douglas DC-7 (N6328C)
    USAF F-100F (56-3755)
    Near Las Vegas, Nevada

    United Air Lines Flight 736, a Douglas DC-7 took off from Los Angeles (LAX) at 7:37AM on a flight to New York (JFK) with a planned cruising altitude of 21,000 feet. On board were 42 passengers and a crew of 5.

    At about 7:45AM a US Air Force North American F-100F-5-NA Super Sabre fighter took off from Nellis Air Force Base on an instrument training flight. At 8:30AM, the fighter plane pilot reported that they were descending from 28,000 feet. At the same time, United Flight 736 was approaching Las Vegas.

    Both aircraft collided head-on at 21,000 feet. The closure speed was about 665 knots. All 47 persons were killed on the DC-7 as well as the 2 pilots on the F-100F. (LostFlights Collection)

  • November 24, 1959<br /> Trans World Airlines, Inc.<br /> Lockheed L-1049H (N102R)<br /> Chicago-Midway Airport, Illinois (MDW)<br /> Chicago, Illinois<br /> <br /> Shortly after taking off, TWA 582, a scheduled cargo flight to Los Angeles, California experienced a fire warning in the Number 2 engine. After shutting down and securing the engine, the flight attempted to return to Midway Airport.<br /> <br /> During the final approach at night with low overcast conditions, the aircraft banked in excess of 45 degrees and developed an excessive sink rate. Within a quarter mile from the airport the Super Constellation struck a house then struck four other buildings. The aircraft broke apart and crashed in flames killing the 3 crew members and 8 persons on the ground. (LostFlights Collection)

    November 24, 1959
    Trans World Airlines, Inc.
    Lockheed L-1049H (N102R)
    Chicago-Midway Airport, Illinois (MDW)
    Chicago, Illinois

    Shortly after taking off, TWA 582, a scheduled cargo flight to Los Angeles, California experienced a fire warning in the Number 2 engine. After shutting down and securing the engine, the flight attempted to return to Midway Airport.

    During the final approach at night with low overcast conditions, the aircraft banked in excess of 45 degrees and developed an excessive sink rate. Within a quarter mile from the airport the Super Constellation struck a house then struck four other buildings. The aircraft broke apart and crashed in flames killing the 3 crew members and 8 persons on the ground. (LostFlights Collection)

  • August 2, 1985<br /> Delta Air Lines, Inc.<br /> Lockheed L-1011 Tri-Star (N726DA)<br /> Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)<br /> Dallas, Texas<br /> <br /> Delta Air Lines Flight 191 was a flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, bound for Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, by way of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. <br /> <br /> On the afternoon of August 2, 1985, DAL Flight 191 crashed while on a routine approach to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, killing 8 of 11 crew members and 126 of the 152 passengers on board and one person on the ground: a total of 135 deaths. This accident is one of the few commercial air crashes in which the meteorological phenomenon known as microburst-induced wind shear was a direct contributing factor.<br /> <br /> This water/fire damaged cover and the one below are fine examples of modern day crash covers. (LostFlights Collection)

    August 2, 1985
    Delta Air Lines, Inc.
    Lockheed L-1011 Tri-Star (N726DA)
    Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
    Dallas, Texas

    Delta Air Lines Flight 191 was a flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, bound for Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, by way of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

    On the afternoon of August 2, 1985, DAL Flight 191 crashed while on a routine approach to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, killing 8 of 11 crew members and 126 of the 152 passengers on board and one person on the ground: a total of 135 deaths. This accident is one of the few commercial air crashes in which the meteorological phenomenon known as microburst-induced wind shear was a direct contributing factor.

    This water/fire damaged cover and the one below are fine examples of modern day crash covers. (LostFlights Collection)

  • This cover from Delta Air Lines Flight 191 included the ambulance cover from the Postmaster in Dallas, Texas. (LostFlights Collection)

    This cover from Delta Air Lines Flight 191 included the ambulance cover from the Postmaster in Dallas, Texas. (LostFlights Collection)

  • July 19, 1989<br /> United Airlines Inc.<br /> McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 (N1819U)<br /> Sioux Gateway Airport (SUX)<br /> Sioux City, Iowa<br /> <br /> United Airlines Flight 232 was a scheduled flight from Stapleton International Airport, in Denver, Colorado, to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois. The Douglas DC-10 suffered an uncontained failure of its number 2 engine which destroyed all three of the aircraft's hydraulic systems. <br /> <br /> With no controls working except the thrust levers for the two remaining engines, the aircraft broke up during an emergency landing on the runway at Sioux City, Iowa, killing 110 of its 285 passengers and one of the 11 crew members. (LostFlights Collection)

    July 19, 1989
    United Airlines Inc.
    McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 (N1819U)
    Sioux Gateway Airport (SUX)
    Sioux City, Iowa

    United Airlines Flight 232 was a scheduled flight from Stapleton International Airport, in Denver, Colorado, to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois. The Douglas DC-10 suffered an uncontained failure of its number 2 engine which destroyed all three of the aircraft's hydraulic systems.

    With no controls working except the thrust levers for the two remaining engines, the aircraft broke up during an emergency landing on the runway at Sioux City, Iowa, killing 110 of its 285 passengers and one of the 11 crew members. (LostFlights Collection)

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