Flight 11 documentary

On Thursday September 26th, 2013, a documentary segment about Flight 11 will air at 9pm on the Travel Channel. It will feature in the "Mysteries at the Museum" programme. 

Boeing B-47 Stratojet out of Forbes AFB, Topeka, Kansas

As many people connected with Flight 11 are aware, a USAF Boeing B-47 Stratojet that was in the vicinity of Kirksville, MO, on the night of May 22nd, saw a bright flash in the to the north of the aircraft's position. It is generally accepted that the flash seen by the commander of this B-47 flight was the explosion of Flight 11.

The B-47 was an important aircraft in the USAF, particularly around the time of Flight 11s demise.

Does anyone who was in the USAF or who knows anyone who was in the USAF at the time, have any information on the specifics of the B-47 incident involving Flight 11?

As it was reported widely at the time and the sighting was included in the Flight 11 accident report it would be fair to assume that someone, somewhere, may recall being on that B-47 that night or know the people who were or maybe heard about it later at the Forbes Air Force Base. It would be interesting to see if anyone comes forward with any further information.

Pictures from Putnam County Museum taken by Sandy Crawford

Sandy Crawford took these photos down at the Putnam County Museum. I thought I'd put them up here as she does a better job than me with a camera (it's merely the fact I'm a technophobe and can't operate mine!)

Lake Thunderhead from 32,000 feet.

These pictures were taken from a commercial jet flying very near Lake Thunderhead. This lake was an addition to the landscape post Flight 11. This gives you a good layout of the accident area and you can also see in some of the shots the runway of Unionville Airport, MO.

David E. Olssen's family visit Unionville

The family of David Olssen, Director of Passenger Services on Flight 11, visited Unionville on July 2.

They had a look around the Putnam County Museum and at the memorial. They were also lunch guests of Mr Duane Crawford at a cafe in Unionville.

David's widow Mary C. Olssen, daughter Trina M. Olssen and sister-in-law Margaret Selling and Robert Ibnonsalah made the deviation through Unionville on their way up to Michigan from Texas.

Mary is 91.

I'm very pleased they made it to Unionville.

Henry Hanna

On June 4th Unionville received two visitors from Minnesota. Patrick Hanna and his wife Betty. Patrick is the son of Flight 11 passenger Henry Hanna. He was a superintendent with the "Michigan, Wisconsin and American Louisiana Gas Pipeline" company. 

Duane Crawford and Ron Cook took the Hanna's to the crash site and  later on Maribeth DeHaven took them around the museum.

It's always nice when families of Flight 11 travel to Missouri to see the site and town first hand...not to mention the memorial in the town square. 

   

Twitter @CalFlight11

I have opened up a Twitter account @CALFlight11 to extend the circulation and visibility of this blog. With many younger people now using Twitter in their everyday lives I felt it prudent to keep the information on the blog in the most relevant places. Many of the kids I spoke to at Putnam County High asked if there was anything about Flight 11 online so they could look it up. Of course Facebook and Twitter were mentioned a lot but Blogger.com is becoming a bit "old hat".

The blog of course will remain the main site and remain updated etc. The Twitter account is merely a supplementary tool and link to the blog.

Blog URL change

Since 2007 the blog has had a misspelt URL. Instead of being Continental it reads Continenal (no "t").

This has been pointed out many times. However changing the URL would mean that people who have it saved in documents or favourites wouldn't be able to find it again and it upsets its visibility in google search as well. 

So I have decided to leave it misspelt purely so that it never loses its place on the net and people can find it.

I'm sure people will understand my decision. 

David E. Olssen

I have been contacted by the niece of David E. Olssen, director of passenger services on Flight 11.

She has a remarkable story regarding Mr Olssen. He left behind a wife and two children. However as with many Flight 11 related things there is a twist to the story. Mr Olssen was in New Zealand during WWII. He even made a pendant out of a New Zealand coin which his niece wears to this day. Ironic considering a New Zealander (myself) helped get the memorial rolling for the flight.

Another remarkable connection and a welcome addition to the "Flight 11 family".

51 years ago today

Today marks the 51st anniversary of the tragedy of Continental Airlines Flight 11. 

This will appear dated on the blog as May 23rd as this blog follows New Zealand time.