Local

Historic photos from the 9/11/74 plane crash in Charlotte

By From staff reports

Updated September 5, 2024 10:34 AM

In the aftermath of the Flight 212 crash, much of the plane caught on fire. — In the aftermath of the Flight 212 crash, much of the plane caught on fire. DON STURKEY / Charlotte Observer File Photo Don Sturkey Photographic Materials, North Carolina Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill Library

On Sept. 11, 1974, Eastern Flight 212 crashed more than three miles short of its intended runway at Charlotte’s airport. The plane crash remains the worst in Charlotte history and caused 72 deaths. Ten people survived. Photographers from both The Charlotte Observer The Charlotte News rushed to the scene. This is a selection of the photographs they took that day 50 years ago.

An aerial view of the wreckage of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in southwest Charlotte. — An aerial view of the wreckage of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in southwest Charlotte. DON STURKEY / Charlotte Observer File Photo Don Sturkey Photographic Materials, North Carolina Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill Library.

Firefighters on the scene of the Eastern Airlines Flight 212 crash in Charlotte on Sept. 11, 1974. — Firefighters on the scene of the Eastern Airlines Flight 212 crash in Charlotte on Sept. 11, 1974. ELMER HORTON Charlotte News File Photo

Smoke drifts from the broken tail section of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212. — Smoke drifts from the broken tail section of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212. Bill McCallister Charlotte Observer File Photo

Local rescue workers make their way to the accident scene to carry away the injured and the deceased in Charlotte in the aftermath of the crash of Flight 212. — Local rescue workers make their way to the accident scene to carry away the injured and the deceased in Charlotte in the aftermath of the crash of Flight 212. JOHN DAUGHTRY Charlotte Observer File Photo

Ambulances line up on Highway 49, ready to carry injured crash survivors of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 off to local hospitals. — Ambulances line up on Highway 49, ready to carry injured crash survivors of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 off to local hospitals. Don Sturkey / Charlotte Observer File Photo Don Sturkey Photographic Materials, North Carolina Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill Library.

Bystanders gather on Highway 49, near the crash site. — Bystanders gather on Highway 49, near the crash site. DON STURKEY / Charlotte Observer File Photo Don Sturkey Photographic Materials, North Carolina Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill Library.

First responders on the scene of the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212. — First responders on the scene of the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212. DON STURKEY / Charlotte Observer File Photo Don Sturkey Photographic Materials, North Carolina Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill Library.

The wreckage of Flight 212. — The wreckage of Flight 212. DON STURKEY / Charlotte Observer File Photo Don Sturkey Photographic Materials, North Carolina Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill Library

The wreckage of the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212. — The wreckage of the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212. Charlotte News File Photo Charlotte News File Photo

First responders on the scene of the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212. — First responders on the scene of the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212. JIM WILSON Charlotte Observer File Photo

The scene of the Eastern Airlines Flight 212 crash on Sept. 11, 1974. — The scene of the Eastern Airlines Flight 212 crash on Sept. 11, 1974. Bill McCallister Charlotte Observer File Photo

Firefighters continue to spray the smoldering wreckage of Flight 212. — Firefighters continue to spray the smoldering wreckage of Flight 212. Don Sturkey / Charlotte Observer File Photo Don Sturkey Photographic Materials, North Carolina Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill Library.

Eastern Flight 212 survivors Richard Arnold (left) and Roy Hendrix on Sept. 11, 1974, after the crash of Eastern Airlines Flight 212. — Eastern Flight 212 survivors Richard Arnold (left) and Roy Hendrix on Sept. 11, 1974, after the crash of Eastern Airlines Flight 212. CHARLOTTE NEWS FILE PHOTO CHARLOTTE NEWS FILE PHOTO

Wooden stakes were placed amid the wreckage after Flight 212 crashed on Sept. 11, 1974, in Charlotte. Each stake represented where the body of a deceased passenger had been recovered by rescue crews. Of the 82 people on board the Eastern flight, 72 died and 10 survived. — Wooden stakes were placed amid the wreckage after Flight 212 crashed on Sept. 11, 1974, in Charlotte. Each stake represented where the body of a deceased passenger had been recovered by rescue crews. Of the 82 people on board the Eastern flight, 72 died and 10 survived. Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Firefighters continue to spray the smoldering wreckage of Flight 212. — Firefighters continue to spray the smoldering wreckage of Flight 212. Don Sturkey / Charlotte Observer File Photo Don Sturkey Photographic Materials, North Carolina Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill Library.

The wreckage of Flight 212. — The wreckage of Flight 212. DON STURKEY / Charlotte Observer File Photo Don Sturkey Photographic Materials, North Carolina Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill Library

Smoke drifts from the broken tail section of the Eastern Air Lines plane that crashed in Charlotte on Sept. 11, 1974. — Smoke drifts from the broken tail section of the Eastern Air Lines plane that crashed in Charlotte on Sept. 11, 1974. Don Sturkey / Charlotte Observer File Photo Don Sturkey Photographic Materials, North Carolina Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill Library.

Firefighters on the scene of the Eastern Airlines Flight 212 crash on Sept. 11, 1974. — Firefighters on the scene of the Eastern Airlines Flight 212 crash on Sept. 11, 1974. Jim Wilson Charlotte Observer File Photo

First responders on the scene of the crash of Eastern Flight 212 in Charlotte on Sept. 11, 1974. — First responders on the scene of the crash of Eastern Flight 212 in Charlotte on Sept. 11, 1974. JIM WILSON Charlotte Observer File Photo

First responders on the scene of the crash of Eastern Flight 212 in Charlotte on Sept. 11, 1974. — First responders on the scene of the crash of Eastern Flight 212 in Charlotte on Sept. 11, 1974. Charlotte Observer File Photo

A shroud covers the body of a deceased passenger still strapped in an airplane seat as the tail section of Eastern Flight 212 smolders in the background on Sept. 11, 1974. — A shroud covers the body of a deceased passenger still strapped in an airplane seat as the tail section of Eastern Flight 212 smolders in the background on Sept. 11, 1974. DON STURKEY / Charlotte Observer File Photo Don Sturkey Photographic Materials, North Carolina Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill Library.

First responders on the scene of the crash of Eastern Flight 212 in Charlotte on Sept. 11, 1974. — First responders on the scene of the crash of Eastern Flight 212 in Charlotte on Sept. 11, 1974. JOHN DAUGHTRY Charlotte Observer File Photo

Firefighters on the scene of the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212. — Firefighters on the scene of the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212. Don Sturkey / Charlotte Observer File Photo Don Sturkey Photographic Materials, North Carolina Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill Library.

Body bags are lined up near the site of the Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 crash of Sept. 11, 1974. — Body bags are lined up near the site of the Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 crash of Sept. 11, 1974. Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Firefighters on the scene of the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212. — Firefighters on the scene of the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212. DON STURKEY / Charlotte Observer File Photo Don Sturkey Photographic Materials, North Carolina Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill Library.

An aerial view of the wreckage of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in southwest Charlotte. — An aerial view of the wreckage of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in southwest Charlotte. Charlotte Observer File Photo

An aerial view of the wreckage of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in southwest Charlotte. — An aerial view of the wreckage of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in southwest Charlotte. DON STURKEY / Charlotte Observer File Photo Don Sturkey Photographic Materials, North Carolina Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill Library.

This story was originally published September 4, 2024 at 12:46 PM.