- Title: U.S.A: SEARCH CONTINUES FOR WRECKAGE IN FATAL NEW YORK PLANE CRASH.
- Date: 10th February 1965
- Summary: SHIPS ENGAGED IN SEARCH ON TUESDAY; PIECE OF FLOTSAM FROM DOWNED PLANE BEING PULLED ABOARD BOAT; WRECKAGE BEING TAKEN ASHORE AND UNLOADED. Initials PC/V/JM EDITORS NOTE: SEE PROD 1390/65 WHICH CONTAINS EARLIER SEARCH COVERAGE AND SOF INTERVIEWS WITH EYE WITNESSES (ISSUED 9/2/65). Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 25th February 1965 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: ATLANTIC OCEAN OFF JONES BEACH, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, U.S.A.
- City:
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA7Q1SHB6ETQ69VOVYCTNZZP9Q4
- Story Text: THE SEARCH FOR POSSIBLE SURVIVORS OF MONDAY'S EASTERN AIRLINES PLANE CRASH OFF LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, BECAME A SEA HUNT FOR DEBRIS EARLY ON TUESDAY -- BUT WITH NO HOPE REMAINING THAT ANY OF THE 84 PEOPLE ABOARD HAD SURVIVED.
THE SEARCH BEGAN MONDAY NIGHT SOON AFTER REPORTS OF THE CRASH. U.S. COAST GUARD AND PRIVATE BOATS CONTINUED TO RETURN THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH BITS OF THE PLANE AND PARTS OF BODIES.
WITH THE COMING OF LIGHT ON TUESDAY THE SEARCH WAS INTENSIFIED, AND THE ORIGINAL SEARCH AREA WIDENED. THE COAST GUARD ESTIMATED THAT THE TIDE AND WIND WOULD SWEEP THE DEBRIS OVER AN ESTIMATED 200 SQUARE MILES BY THE END OF THE DAY.
DURING TUESDAY'S SEARCH-VESSELS BROUGHT IN A MOUNTING PILE OF SMALL BITS OF DEBRIS. SEAT CUSHIONS, AIR LINE BROCHURES AND PIECES OF CLOTHING WERE PLUCKED FROM THE FRIGID WATERS OFF LONG ISLAND. AT LEAST HALF A DOZEN PRIVATE AND COAST GUARD BOATS MEANWHILE WERE FORCED TO RETURN TO PORT FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE THE DEBRIS FROM THE DISASTER HAD FOULED THEIR PROPELLERS.
WHILE THE SEARCH WENT FORWARD, OFFICIALS BEGAN THE INVESTIGATION OF THE TRAGEDY. A SPOKESMAN SAID THEY HAD NO IDEA OF POSSIBLE CAUSES. SOME REPORTS SAID THE PLANE HAD EXPLODED IN MID AIR. OTHER REPORTS SAID IT HAD EXPLODED WHEN IT HIT THE WATER.
MONDAY'S CRASH WAS THE THIRD WORST SINGLE-PLANE DISASTER IN AMERICAN AVIATION HISTORY. THE WORST OCCURRED ON MARCH 1, 1962 WHEN AN AMERICAN AIRLINES PLANE CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF FROM IDLEWILD (NOW KENNEDY) AIRPORT IN NEW YORK, KILLING 95. THE SECOND WORST CLAIMED 85 LIVES AT LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA, LAST MARCH. THE WORST DISASTER INVOLVING A SINGLE PLANE OCCURRED IN JUNE 1962 WHEN AN AIR FRANCE JETLINER CRASHED ON TAKE OFF FROM PARIS, KILLING 130.
THE WORST COMMERCIAL AVIATION DISASTER IN HISTORY INVOLVED TWO PLANES, WHICH COLLIDED OVER NEW YORK CITY ON DECEMBER 16, 1965, KILLING 134 PEOPLE.
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