Over the course of a few months in the early 1950s, the town of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was struck by a series of catastrophic plane crashes that left the community in shock and fear. These tragic events were a series of coincidences that terrorized the residents and led to the temporary closure of Newark Airport.
December 16, 1951
The first of these tragic incidents occurred on December 16, 1951. A Miami Airlines Curtiss C-46 Commando, departing from Newark and bound for Tampa, crashed into the Elizabeth River shortly after takeoff. The crash resulted in the deaths of all 56 passengers on board, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters of that period.
January 22, 1952
Just over a month later, on January 22, 1952, Elizabeth was struck by another tragedy. An American Airlines Convair CV-240, also departing from Newark, crashed into an apartment building in Elizabeth. The crash claimed 31 lives, including all 23 people on board. The aircraft was attempting to navigate through a storm with severe wind, fog, and rain when it lost contact with ground control and plummeted into the building, just 2.8 miles from Newark Airport.
February 11, 1952
The final crash in this series occurred less than a month later, on February 11, 1952. A National Airlines Douglas DC-6, en route from Newark to Miami, crashed shortly after takeoff. The crash killed 29 people on board and narrowly missed an orphanage, adding to the town’s sense of terror and helplessness.
Impact on the Community
These crashes deeply affected the community of Elizabeth. The town, already reeling from the loss of life and the destruction caused by the crashes, faced a climate of fear and anxiety. Residents were traumatized by the recurring disasters and the constant fear that another crash could occur at any moment.
The series of crashes led to widespread concern over aviation safety and the operations at Newark Airport. In response to these tragic events, Newark Airport was temporarily closed for nine months. This closure allowed for thorough investigations and safety improvements to be made, aiming to prevent any future occurrences of such disasters.
Coincidence and Tragedy
Despite extensive investigations, the crashes were ultimately deemed tragic coincidences rather than the result of any singular fault or pattern. Each incident had its unique circumstances and contributing factors, but collectively they painted a picture of a community under siege by forces beyond its control.
The legacy of these crashes lives on in the collective memory of Elizabeth’s residents and has even inspired literary works. Judy Blume, an Elizabeth native, drew from these events for her novel “In the Unlikely Event,” which explores the impact of the crashes on the community and individual lives.
The plane crashes in Elizabeth, New Jersey, during the early 1950s were a series of tragic coincidences that left an indelible mark on the community. The fear and devastation experienced by the residents, coupled with the temporary closure of Newark Airport, highlight the profound impact of these events. While the crashes were ultimately found to be unrelated incidents, their legacy continues to be felt and remembered in Elizabeth.