Charlotte Remembers a Forgotten Tragedy: Eastern Air Lines Flight 212
In the heart of Charlotte, where the hustle and bustle of daily life continues unabated, lies a tragic piece of history that many have either forgotten or never knew existed. Fifty years ago, on September 11th, 1974, Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 crashed in the fog-blanketed fields of southwest Charlotte, claiming the lives of 72 passengers and crew members, and leaving behind a trail of heartache for the survivors and families affected by the tragedy.
Despite the scale of this disaster, the memory of Flight 212 has faded over the decades, overshadowed by more recent events. While the 1994 USAir crash that killed 37 passengers is commemorated with a substantial memorial at the new Charlotte Douglas International Airport Overlook park, there remains no memorial for Flight 212. This is particularly poignant given that the crash shares a tragic anniversary with the much more publicly recognized events of September 11th, 2001.
A Day that Haunts
For many, September 11th has become synonymous with the devastating terrorist attacks that took place in 2001, but for those with ties to Flight 212, the date carries a different significance. Mark Ethridge, one of the first reporters on the scene four decades ago, reflected on the irony, saying, “September 11th, it’s just like a day that’s doomed, you know?” Claudio Azurmendi, brother of a flight attendant who perished in the crash, poignantly remarked, “In our minds, it’s the first 9/11.”
The Forgotten Site
Finding the exact site of the Flight 212 crash today is no simple task. It lies hidden amid developments and private properties, buried beneath the layers of urban sprawl that has transformed Charlotte since the 1970s. In fact, residents of the neighborhoods built over the crash site often have no knowledge of the tragedy that unfolded there. Nichole Herring, a resident of the Olde Whitehall neighborhood, expressed shock upon learning about the crash for the first time, saying, “I honestly and truly had no idea.”
Survivor Stories
The aftermath of the crash was complex and heartbreaking. Of the ten survivors, only three remain today. Many, like the late Charles Weaver, who suffered emotionally and mentally, struggled to cope with the trauma long after the incident. “He didn’t like talking about it,” said his son, Steve Weaver, describing his father’s need to retreat into solitude every year on the anniversary of the crash.
Others, like flight attendant Colette Watson, initially returned to work after the accident but carried the burden of their experience with them. Colette’s son, Michael Watson, shared that even after all those years, she admitted, “I’ve never gotten over that. I think about it all the time.” The scars of that day have shaped the lives of everyone involved, whether through secrets kept or battles fought against PTSD.
A Call for Remembrance
As the 50th anniversary of the crash approaches, a void persists in the collective memory of Charlotte, as well as the wider aviation community. There are discussions among the families of the victims and survivors about the need for a memorial, but as of now, nothing has materialized. Sonny Hendrix, whose father survived the crash, articulated the feeling, stating, “I think there should be some sort of rock out there. A memorial. Something.”
Interestingly, many of the Flight 212 survivors have had varying degrees of interaction with flying in the wake of the crash. While some, like Bob Burnham, went on to become frequent flyers, others never boarded a plane again. John Toohey, who was flying to attend his father’s funeral when the crash occurred, chose to avoid commercial flights entirely thereafter.
What Lies Ahead
For family members like Louie Pinheiro, who lost his brother in the crash and whose daughter was born on a subsequent September 11th, the day is a mixed bag of emotions. Each visit to the crash site brings a desire for remembrance, yet the absence of a dedicated memorial only deepens the sense of loss and neglect. “I want to keep it fresh in my mind,” Louie shared, holding back tears during his recent visit to the woods behind Rod of God Ministries, the site where the plane came down.
The legacy of Flight 212 is not merely the numbers of those who perished or survived, but the deeply personal stories and connections that make up its history. As Charlotte honors its past, it may be time to remember and commemorate the loss that has long been relegated to the shadows of memory. With each new generation, the risk of forgetting grows, but the hope remains that one day, Flight 212 will receive the honor and remembrance it truly deserves.
