The Crash of National Airlines Flight 2511
Commentaires
Alex KThanks for the background on the tragic event - and thumbs up for the model 👍
Album info
The Crash of National Airlines Flight 2511
In the early hours of January 6, 1960, National Airlines Flight 2511, a Douglas DC-6B (tail number N8225H), cruising 18,000 feet en route from New York City to Miami. Everything appeared routine—until disaster struck.
At approximately 2:49 AM, a powerful explosion tore through the fuselage, instantly compromising the aircraft's structure. The plane broke apart in mid-air, sending debris hurtling toward the ground. Moments later, the shattered remains of Flight 2511 crashed near Bolivia, North Carolina, killing all 34 passengers and crew on board.
Investigation and Cause
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) launched an immediate investigation. What they found was chilling—traces of dynamite residue on the wreckage, evidence of an explosive device. The blast had occurred near seat 23A, where a passenger named Julian Frank had been sitting. Frank, a former lawyer with financial troubles, recently took out a significant life insurance policy. Investigators suspected a suicide bombing, though no one was ever officially charged, and the exact circumstances remain unsolved.
Aftermath and Legacy
The crash of Flight 2511 remains one of the earliest suspected cases of airline terrorism in the United States. The disaster raised serious concerns about aviation security in an era before thorough passenger screening and anti-bomb measures. Among the victims was Vice Admiral Edward Orrick McDonnell, a decorated Medal of Honor recipient.
To this day, the Flight 2511 explosion stands as an eerie, unsolved mystery in aviation history.
