Braniff Plane Crash 5/3/68

[David Ellis]

My Dad Died on the Braniff Lockheed Electra on May 3, 1968. Anyone out there live in Dawson, Tx. at that time?
David T. Ellis

[e-mail]

[Frank]

Hi David,
I'm sorry to hear your Dad was one of the victims.
I didn't live in Dawson But I do recall the night it happened.Real bad weather, stormy early evening.Me and several others drove over to Dawson to see if we could help. They turned us away at the gate going out in the field where the accident occurred. I remember the rescuers using the Dawson (old one now) Gym to take the bodies. I had played basketball in there many times. As long as I live I will remember that tragic night.

[Diane V]

David,
My father was killed on that flight too.
It has been 40 years but still feels like yesterday. I often sweep the internet to see if there is any new news about it. There seems to be some controversy on what "really" happened. I am planning on taking my 86 year old mother to the site. I have never been there and can't imagine what the emotions will be. When I make it I will say a prayer for us all.
Good Luck in your quest.
DV

[Betty]

David Ellis wrote:

My Dad Died on the Braniff Lockheed Electra on May 3, 1968. Anyone out there live in Dawson, Tx. at that time?
David T. Ellis
[e-mail]

David, I did not live in Dawson at the time of the plane crash but my parents did. I was there at the time of the crash as I was attending a funeral. My mom wrote about it and I have the article if you would like a copy. It is entitled, "Darnkess Over Dawson". You can reach me at [e-mail]. I remember all about it and if you wish, I can describe. It isn't pretty. betty

[Martin P]

My father also passed away on that flight.
I recently lost my mother, and we went back to
Michigan to put her to rest with my dad.
Our family had just moved from Michigan
to Houston in 1968. My mom raised all 5 of us
alone. I feel your pain. His name is
Edward L. Pitts
3-31-1936 5-03-1968

[Lisa C]

I remember that night. I was driving home from chruch and asked her if lightening ever struck a plane and that was the night the Braniff crashed. I remember how dark the sky was. What was your dad's name?

[jerred]

i live in dawson now and its a very sad site my step mom was alive when this happen

[Bob Besecker]

I was a Company Operations Sergeant with the 518th Military Police Battalion based at Fort Hood TX. Shortly after the crash we were tasked with providing security in and around the crash site.
With some reservation I will tell you that we were told the reason we were sent was that immediately after the crash some of the bodies were being looted of valuables. I will tell you now that I do not believe this to be true and I have seen no documentation on the subject. Having been in the site, I cannot imagine anyone would have wanted to enter the site for that purpose. It's just another interesting piece of information surrounding this crash. I mention only because I have not seen a mention of it anywhere.
Our guys were there, to the best of my recollection, for about a week.

[Dona Grant Jones]

Hi my father: James Calvin Grant was also killed on this plane along with his best friend. I have often searched for any children survivors. I wish there was a way we could all meet. 40 years, never met, but we very much all share a connection......

[Dona Grant Jones]

you can reach me at [e-mail]

[Dona Grant Jones]

Diane V wrote:

David,
My father was killed on that flight too.
It has been 40 years but still feels like yesterday. I often sweep the internet to see if there is any new news about it. There seems to be some controversy on what "really" happened. I am planning on taking my 86 year old mother to the site. I have never been there and can't imagine what the emotions will be. When I make it I will say a prayer for us all.
Good Luck in your quest.
DV

Hi Diane. My father was also killed that night. James Calvin Grant. I am also planning a trip to the site and spoke on the phone with the man that was the mayor that night. Though very old he was very clear of that night and his memories. He told me about the memorial that is there now and told me the town would welcome "us" the children whenever we wanted to come. I wish you well on your journey. You can reach me at [e-mail] God Bless

[David Ellis]

Lisa C wrote:

I remember that night. I was driving home from chruch and asked her if lightening ever struck a plane and that was the night the Braniff crashed. I remember how dark the sky was. What was your dad's name?

Hello,

Thanks for your note. My Dad's name was Dr. Paul R. Ellis.

Take Care,

David

[Enrique]

I am doing some research on a former student of the University I work for that may have died on this dark day in Texas. Does anyone know where the passenger manifest(noun)can be found on the internet? I may have overlooked it? Most of her family has since died or is unreachable.

[Dona Jones]

Enrique wrote:

I am doing some research on a former student of the University I work for that may have died on this dark day in Texas. Does anyone know where the passenger manifest(noun)can be found on the internet? I may have overlooked it? Most of her family has since died or is unreachable.

I have a copy of the list of passengers in court docs and old newspaper articles. I have not been able to locate one on line either. You can email me if you would liek for me to checkt he massenger manifest.

[Enrique]

Dona Jones wrote:

<quoted text>
I have a copy of the list of passengers in court docs and old newspaper articles. I have not been able to locate one on line either. You can email me if you would liek for me to checkt he massenger manifest.

Will do thanks

[The Braniff Pages]

Howdy,

We did extensive research on the crash using Gov't, Braniff and witness documents.

http://www.watsmedia.com/1968/1968.html

I have not printed the PAX manifest, as I think that should remain private.

Cheers,
braniffpages.com

[The Braniff Pages]

That's http://www.wattsmedia.com/1968/1968.html

[Diane V]

I found a list of passangers as well as an interesting article called, Dawson, Tx Airplane Crash, May 1968" written Oct. 8, 2007 by Stu Beitler. Also, if you go to Navarro Couty Death Records for 1968 you will see on May 3rd all the passangers are listed. If you can not find the above article I can send you a copy. [e-mail]

[Chris B]

You all may know this, but the wreckage was actually buried on the site.

With the technology available today, it would be interesting to re-examine the wreckage in an attempt to find evidence of the truth.

[Tom Richmond Virginia]

I heard a very inspiring story from a professional golfer relating to this crash. His name is Ken Still and he was playing in the tournament in Houston at that time. After a very poor first round (78) he had booked a reservation on this flight. The next day it would have been easy to go through the motions and miss the cut. Instead because of his nature he played hard and shot a 69 which allowed him to play the weekend. He cancelled his reservation and the rest was history. He has often told young people when he taught them the game to "never give up" and uses this as a perfect example.