Newspaper clippings, including The Sunflower, Wichita State News, and Midway, regarding the plane crash, the memorial, and follow-up stories on the victim’s families. “We had friends we were losing in Vietnam, but nobody expected a bunch of guys to go play a Saturday afternoon football game not arriving.”. [7] During the flight to Denver he visited passengers in the cabin, advising them that after refueling they would take a scenic route, near Loveland Ski Area and Mount Sniktau, the proposed alpine skiing venues for the 1976 Winter Olympics, recently awarded to Denver in May. 3-1127, "Wichita State recalls a crash that killed 31", "Crash survivor remembers Wichita State's saddest day", "Sightseeing is blamed in fatal plane crash", "Forgotten tragedy: Survivors' quest to keep memories of 1970 Wichita State crash from fading", "Wichita State gives up football, too expensive", Mondout, Patrick (2005), 1970 Wichita State Football Crash Memorial: Pictures, Super70s.com, Retrieved 2009-09-10, Roadside memorial adjacent to I-70 near Colorado crash site, Present-day photos of crash site on Mount Trelease, 1960s photo of the accident aircraft in Mohawk Airlines livery, Wichita State University Football Team Airplane Crash Collection, Icelandair Flugfélag Islands Flight Fl 704, Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, 1905 Washburn vs. Fairmount football game, Wichita State University football team plane crash, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wichita_State_University_football_team_plane_crash&oldid=994701139, Aviation accidents and incidents in the United States in 1970, Aviation accidents and incidents involving sports teams, Accidents and incidents involving the Martin 4-0-4, Aviation accidents and incidents caused by pilot error, Airliner accidents and incidents in Colorado, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 17 December 2020, at 02:49. “Randy and I played football at Clinton High School. A shirt for the Wichita State University Shockers football team sits on the hillside as part of the memorial as teammates, family members and friends visit the crash site … [8], The two aircraft were dubbed "Gold" and "Black" after the school colors. [17] Wichita State discontinued varsity football after the 1986 season.[18]. • Don Christian, defensive back, Duncan High School. “I stayed where I was,” Featherstone said. Of the 40 on board, 31 died either in the crash or as a result of injuries sustained in it. National Honor Society member.”. Credit: Denver Post (Denver Post via Getty Images) Denver Post Denver Post It crashed around 1 p.m. about 40 miles west of Denver on Mount Trelease. Gary, 16, and his older sister, Mary Lynne, had to grow up in a hurry. John Yeros, back, chats with friends as they visit the crash site of an airplane carrying some members of the 1970 Wichita State University Shockers football team near … That decision proved to be deadly when one plane went down, taking the lives of 32 people on board, including members of the Wichita State University football team, coaches and boosters. Section of wing with landing gear still visible. Wichita State wide receiver John Yeros was on the Black Plane. The NTSB report stated a belief that many on board survived the initial impact, based on the testimony of survivors and rescuers. The Shockers traveled in two planes. That decision proved to be deadly when one plane went down, taking the lives of 32 people on board, including members of the Wichita State University football team, coaches and boosters. There was never a cross word said between us.”. I noticed we were quite a bit below the top of the mountains. A painting of a Wichita State football helmet, draped by a cap, is present at the crash site. “Some of the greatest young men/athletes that ever came out of our state,” Featherstone said. Black & Gold: Remembering The WSU Plane Crash video by KPTS. HESSTON—Gary King played the role of a victim for a while after the Wichita State University plane crash that claimed his parents on Oct. 2, 1970. Featherstone grew up with Duren. Memorial '70: Survivors reflect on life after WSU plane crash - KAKE News It’s been 50 years since the Shockers flew out for Logan, Utah, and a game against Utah State. Survivors, friends and family will convene at the Wichita Country Club to console and reminisce about the lives lost. That is where the two planes took two vastly different paths into history leading to the Wichita State Crash. The other crew flying the "Black" aircraft adhered to the original flight plan and took a more northerly route, heading north from Denver to southern Wyoming then west, using a designated airway. Instead, their memories are preserved through families, teammates, friends and the school. The “Gold” plane was carrying many of the team’s starters, Head Coach Ben Wilson, athletic director Bert Katzenmeyer, and additional personnel. Dave Lewis dug up a small pine tree and replanted it in his Overland Park yard. She answered the phone, and her son explained what had happened. They never arrived. Lewis doesn’t know how far he got before those miners found him. [7], Shortly before the crash, several witnesses described seeing an aircraft flying unusually low towards the Continental Divide. [5], Classes at Wichita State were canceled for Monday, October 5, and a memorial service was held that evening on campus at Cessna Stadium. Let’s just try it,” Lewis said. Wichita State University held a memorial service at Cessna Stadium on Friday honoring both the victims and survivors of a plane crash 50 years ago. 31 out of the 40 people on board were killed. "[7][8], The USU president, vice president, provost, athletic director, and athletic information officer were all unavailable in the immediate aftermath of the crash, leaving the game to be canceled by John S. Flannery, a USU Information Services employee. Wichita Eagle and Beacon - Crash 1970. [14] The first officer (company president) survived; he was flying the plane from the left seat. [citation needed], Of the total of 40 on board, the death count at the scene was 29, which included 27 passengers, the captain, and flight attendant. Site of 1970 Wichita State plane crash. 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