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Documents, Notes, Photos, Ephemera, Research Relating to the Crash of Braniff International Airways Flight 250 near Falls City, NE, on 6-Aug-1966.

[Note: Some files are large and will take longer to access on slower internet connections.]

Presentations & Local Coverage

The 50th anniversary of the Braniff 250 disaster was commemorated in Falls City, NE, on 6-Aug-2016. Here is my keynote presentation and one of the local television coverage stories:

• 50-Year Commemoration Presentation | Shown in Falls City, 6-Aug-2016.
Slides accompanying a presentation given by Steve Pollock at the Richardson County History Museum:
1. View in Web Browser (.html)
2. Download PDF (.pdf) [Note: Embedded videos will not play in this version; either view the .html version or download one of the following files:
3. Download older Powerpoint (pre-2005) version (.ppt)
4. Download current Powerpoint (2005-Present) version (.pptx)
5. Download Apple Keynote version (.key)

• News Channel Nebraska’s coverage of the 50th Commemoration Event | Falls City, NE, 6-Aug-2016.

Braniff Internal Documents

• Passenger/Crew Funeral Details:

Braniff kept these status reports to track everything from who in the victims’ families were informed and when, to funeral homes, positive identification status, and other miscellaneous details.
[Courtesy University of Texas at Dallas-Richardson Braniff Archives.]

• 1. Larry J. Bosted, 19; Andrew Dewitt Broadfoot, 54; Nancy Anne Chamblin, 18. | Detailed status update #6a as of 10 a.m. on 10-Aug-1966.
• 2. Susan Carol Chamblin, 15; Danny R. Cox, 18; Ronald Deines, 19. | Detailed status update #6b as of 10 a.m. on 10-Aug-1966.
• 3. Jeanae (Jean) Carolyn Duerksen, 22; Ava Dyer, 46; Donald L. Eschbach, 46. | Detailed status update #6c as of 10 a.m. on 10-Aug-1966.
• 4. Kenneth Eskelinen, 25; Donald Ferrero; Leslie David Foster, 41. | Detailed status update #6d as of 10 a.m. on 10-Aug-1966.
• 5. Patricia Gilbertson, 21; Lyman Monroe Graeber, 61; Lottie Gummers, 46. | Detailed status update #6e as of 10 a.m. on 10-Aug-1966.
• 6. Mary Kay Hamm, 16; Susan R. Hamm, 17; Charles E. Howard Jr., 21. | Detailed status update #6f as of 10 a.m. on 10-Aug-1966.
• 7. Russell Hudson, 19; Patricia Jacobson, 21; William O. Johnson, 23. | Detailed status update #6g as of 10 a.m. on 10-Aug-1966.
• 8. Cheryl Lyn Sanders Jordan, 21; Bohdan Kowtaliw, 18; Adolph Mayer, 64. | Detailed status update #6h as of 10 a.m. on 10-Aug-1966.
• 9. Eugene P. McConnell, 18; Opal Mills, 51; William Murphy, 19. | Detailed status update #6i as of 10 a.m. on 10-Aug-1966.
• 10. John H. Paul, 44; Garrett Redington, 32; Grace Roettger, 56. | Detailed status update #6j as of 10 a.m. on 10-Aug-1966.
• 11. Donald Smith, 39; Virginia Tejada; Charla Ward, 16. | Detailed status update #6k as of 10 a.m. on 10-Aug-1966.
• 12. Robert Welter, 19; Frank Wilson, 40; Donald Wright. | Detailed status update #6l as of 10 a.m. on 10-Aug-1966.
• 13. Ruth Kuhr, Mitchell Kuhr, Capt. Donald Pauly, F/O James Hilliker, Hostesses Sharon Hendricks and Ginger Brisbane. | Detailed status update #6m as of 10 a.m. on 10-Aug-1966.

Maps, Diagrams

Map of Gust Front of 6-Aug-66, which brought down Braniff Flight 250

• Air Traffic | Tracks of Flights in the Area when Braniff 250 was destroyed:
1. Tracking Map is an approximation based on NTSB/FAA data.
On this map you will see:
           • A red line representing the flight track of Braniff flight 250 between KMCI and the crash site near Falls City, NE.
           • A black line representing an American Airlines Convair 580 twin-engine propeller flight between KOMA and KSTJ.
           • A purple Line representing Braniff flight 234, originally traveling KSTL-KDSM, but was diverted down to KMCI when approaching front made weather too hazardous to proceed to Des Moines. The flight landed safely in Kansas City.
           • A blue line representing Braniff flight 255 from KOMA to KMCI. This flight diverted due east after departure then flew due south to Kansas City. It encountered very rough turbulence and discussed this with flight 250’s flight crew.
2. NTSB graphic representation of the one-mile square area of farmland near Falls City, NE. | This shows how the debris from the in-flight breakup of N1553 was distributed by wind and gravity to the soybean fields below. The Antone Schawang family home is located at the “M” in the word “Main Impact, just across the street from the bulk of the wreckage.

[NTSB diagram. Graphics by Steve Pollock from NTSB and FAA sources.]

Photographs

BI Captain Don PauleyBI Captain Don Pauley
JimHilliker2JimHilliker2
Another view of Braniff Flight 250 first officer Jim Hilliker, probably in his MidContinent Airlines uniform prior to the merger with BraniffAnother view of Braniff Flight 250 first officer Jim Hilliker, probably in his MidContinent Airlines uniform prior to the merger with Braniff
BI Hostess Sharon HendricksBI Hostess Sharon Hendricks
Braniff Flight Hostess Ginger Brisbane, lost aboard Braniff 250.Braniff Flight Hostess Ginger Brisbane, lost aboard Braniff 250.
The Braniff Hostess class of 25-Oct-65 in Dallas with arrows pointing to Sharon Hendricks, left, and Ginger Brisbane, rightThe Braniff Hostess class of 25-Oct-65 in Dallas with arrows pointing to Sharon Hendricks, left, and Ginger Brisbane, right
Dr. Ted Fujita, a pioneer in tornado and thunderstorm research, the investigator of the Braniff 250 crash and the originator of the Fujita Scale of Tornado IntensityDr. Ted Fujita, a pioneer in tornado and thunderstorm research, the investigator of the Braniff 250 crash and the originator of the Fujita Scale of Tornado Intensity
Bill Shock, middle, as a national guardsman during training in 1941 in Arkansas. He asked for and received a transfer to the Air Corps to learn to fly B-17s, a fateful decisionBill Shock, middle, as a national guardsman during training in 1941 in Arkansas. He asked for and received a transfer to the Air Corps to learn to fly B-17s, a fateful decision
BAC 1-11 jets on the tarmac at Hurn, England, read to enter service.BAC 1-11 jets on the tarmac at Hurn, England, read to enter service.
Harding LawrenceHarding Lawrence
Mary WellsMary Wells
PlainPlanePlainPlane
GirardInteriorGirardInterior
AirStripAirStrip
AirHostessesAirHostesses
BI timetable dating from April 24, 1966, which would have been in force for flights that spring and summerBI timetable dating from April 24, 1966, which would have been in force for flights that spring and summer
The Air Strip advertised in a BI timetable from 1966The Air Strip advertised in a BI timetable from 1966
Braniff Northbound timetable showing the stops for flight 250, which originated in New Orleans and terminated at Minneapolis-St. PaulBraniff Northbound timetable showing the stops for flight 250, which originated in New Orleans and terminated at Minneapolis-St. Paul
The cover for the sales brochure for British Aircraft Corporation’s One-Eleven jetThe cover for the sales brochure for British Aircraft Corporation’s One-Eleven jet
British Aircraft Corporation’s sales brochure, touting the structural integrity of the One-Eleven jetBritish Aircraft Corporation’s sales brochure, touting the structural integrity of the One-Eleven jet
Two Braniff stewardesses show off one of the company’s new BAC One-Eleven jets prior to delivery from Hurn. The aircraft’s livery and the women’s uniforms show the pre-Mary Wells lookTwo Braniff stewardesses show off one of the company’s new BAC One-Eleven jets prior to delivery from Hurn. The aircraft’s livery and the women’s uniforms show the pre-Mary Wells look
Jon Proctor’s photo of N1553, the Braniff International BAC One-Eleven that crashed as flight 250 the night of 6-Aug-66 over Nebraska (Used by permission)Jon Proctor’s photo of N1553, the Braniff International BAC One-Eleven that crashed as flight 250 the night of 6-Aug-66 over Nebraska (Used by permission)
N1553, the Braniff BAC 1-11 which crashed while operating flight 250 on the leg between Kansas City and Omaha 6-Aug-66N1553, the Braniff BAC 1-11 which crashed while operating flight 250 on the leg between Kansas City and Omaha 6-Aug-66
Map of the gust front of 6-Aug-66, which downed BI flight 250 near Falls City, NEMap of the gust front of 6-Aug-66, which downed BI flight 250 near Falls City, NE
NTSB graphic showing the trajectory and breakup of flight 250 above the Nebraska countrysideNTSB graphic showing the trajectory and breakup of flight 250 above the Nebraska countryside
Page of the Omaha World-Herald on 9-Aug-66 showing pictures of some of the passengers lostPage of the Omaha World-Herald on 9-Aug-66 showing pictures of some of the passengers lost
Stopped watch tells the tale: 23:10, time of the destruction.Stopped watch tells the tale: 23:10, time of the destruction.
One of the first photos from the scene of the crash, taken after midnight on the scene by the Falls City Journal’s legendary Bill Schock. It was his 48th birthday.One of the first photos from the scene of the crash, taken after midnight on the scene by the Falls City Journal’s legendary Bill Schock. It was his 48th birthday.
The cockpit of the downed jet where Captain Pauley and First Officer Hilliker unwittingly flew into a deadly horizontal tornado.The cockpit of the downed jet where Captain Pauley and First Officer Hilliker unwittingly flew into a deadly horizontal tornado.
The entire mile-square crash site, looking northeast. Schawang Farm is in the upper center.The entire mile-square crash site, looking northeast. Schawang Farm is in the upper center.
NTSB and other workers come the field far from the main wreckage for any more pieces like the empennage and outboard wing section.NTSB and other workers come the field far from the main wreckage for any more pieces like the empennage and outboard wing section.
A16aA16a
The farm and crash site are now in view.The farm and crash site are now in view.
Getting closer to the site.Getting closer to the site.
Debris field from the helicopterDebris field from the helicopter
An angle now looking northeast. The farm buildings are clear and the crash site. The doomed jet came very close to destroying the family’s farm.An angle now looking northeast. The farm buildings are clear and the crash site. The doomed jet came very close to destroying the family’s farm.
Clearance had already been going on; victims had been removed and work continued to remove as much of N1553 as possible from Tony Schawang’s soybeans.Clearance had already been going on; victims had been removed and work continued to remove as much of N1553 as possible from Tony Schawang’s soybeans.
Cleanup is nearing an end at the debris field.Cleanup is nearing an end at the debris field.
Smoke still rises from the crash site the next morning.Smoke still rises from the crash site the next morning.
The cockpit and those Alexander Girard seats cushions are scattered all over near the cockpit.The cockpit and those Alexander Girard seats cushions are scattered all over near the cockpit.
A Nebraska State Trooper films the debris fieldA Nebraska State Trooper films the debris field
Back on the ground on the first day, rescuers worked to find victims and remove them from the debris.Back on the ground on the first day, rescuers worked to find victims and remove them from the debris.
Back on the ground on the first day, rescuers worked to find victims and remove them from the debris.Back on the ground on the first day, rescuers worked to find victims and remove them from the debris.
Further to the southeast lay the jet’s empennage, the first piece of the aircraft to snap to the left and be removed from the aircraft as the gust front attacked. (See diagram on third slide.)Further to the southeast lay the jet’s empennage, the first piece of the aircraft to snap to the left and be removed from the aircraft as the gust front attacked. (See diagram on third slide.)
Another view of the upside-down empennage, lying 1/2 a mile or more from the main crash site.Another view of the upside-down empennage, lying 1/2 a mile or more from the main crash site.
Another angle of how the wing portion hit the edge of a soyboean field and then slid forward.Another angle of how the wing portion hit the edge of a soyboean field and then slid forward.
Outboard starboard wing also seperated well away from the main wreckage. This piece was the second torn off the dying jet.Outboard starboard wing also seperated well away from the main wreckage. This piece was the second torn off the dying jet.
National Guard trucks were used for a variety of purposes and troops played many roles.National Guard trucks were used for a variety of purposes and troops played many roles.
Debris search by rescuers the next morning.Debris search by rescuers the next morning.
After 12 days, the Schawang Farm crash site was cleared, as much debris as possible was removed, and the family had custody of their land once again. This spot still occasionally spits up small aircraft parts.After 12 days, the Schawang Farm crash site was cleared, as much debris as possible was removed, and the family had custody of their land once again. This spot still occasionally spits up small aircraft parts.
The empennage of N1553 lies on a flatbed trailer across the street from the Falls City Journal downtown. It was carted to Kansas City and buried in a landfillThe empennage of N1553 lies on a flatbed trailer across the street from the Falls City Journal downtown. It was carted to Kansas City and buried in a landfill
The cover of the Falls City Journal of 19-Aug-66 after the crash site had been cleaned upThe cover of the Falls City Journal of 19-Aug-66 after the crash site had been cleaned up
Falls City Prichard Auditorium, which served as a temporary morgue after the 250 crashFalls City Prichard Auditorium, which served as a temporary morgue after the 250 crash
Intersection of 655 Avenue and 714 Road near Falls City, NE, where flight 250 crashed in 1966Intersection of 655 Avenue and 714 Road near Falls City, NE, where flight 250 crashed in 1966
The Crash Site as of 2016The Crash Site as of 2016
Flight 250 memorial at the site on the Schawang FarmFlight 250 memorial at the site on the Schawang Farm
Model of N1553 created by Don Brown for the authorModel of N1553 created by Don Brown for the author
DTCover2024DTCover2024