Disaster happens everywhere in the world, but it seems that most of Kansas’ destruction comes from weather related events such as tornadoes, ice storms, and wildfires. However, on occasion, some tragedy that is mechanical or otherwise costs lives. For that reason, we’ll never forget the destruction of life and property that this plane crash in Kansas caused back in 1965. Do you remember this event?

What is known as the Piatt Street Disaster started as a normal morning for the neighborhood of 20th and Piatt Street in Wichita, Kansas.

Curimedia/Wikimedia Commons
On the morning of January 16, 1965, a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker departed the airport as usual, but encountered issues when trying to gain altitude. It began to shake side to side, and the crew panicked, dumping fuel from the refueling tanks. Pilots attempted to take the plane back to the airport, but after a sharp left, it began to roll and then crashed into the suburban neighborhood of Piatt street.
kptspromotions/YouTube
The Stratotanker was loaded with 31,000 gallons of jet fuel, and once it hit the ground, it exploded and left behind a sea of fire and a 15-feet-deep crater.

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kptspromotions/YouTube
It took about an hour to extinguish the fire, but the damage was already caused. The crash and fire killed all seven members of the crew and 23 more people on the ground, as well as injuring 27 more. That number doesn't even include the people who were suddenly homeless after this event, either.
kptspromotions/YouTube
It was later reported that the issue with flight was due to a rudder control system malfunction.

This video posted by YouTube channel kptspromotions really describes the horrors of this tragedy as told by those who were there when it happened.

No matter what happens, we won’t forget how one of Wichita’s many planes took off and immediately crashed right in our own backyard. Today, there’s a memorial park dedicated to the lives lost in this heartbreaking tragedy.

If you’re interested in other parts of Kansas history such as our tornadoes, you’ll want to check out this list of the worst tornadoes we’ve ever had.

 

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