This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends
On January 31, 1957, a Douglas DC-7B transport plane crashed into the school yard of Pacoima Junior High School, 9919 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, after colliding with a Northrop F-89J Scorpion jet trainer plane. Debris was also strewn across the grounds of Terra Bella Elementary School, adjacent to the junior high, and Pacoima Congregational Church, next door to the school. Three students and five airmen died and many more students were injured. The radarman aboard the jet was the only airman who survived. See images 00147086 through 00147092 for all photos in this series. Photograph caption dated February 1, 1957 reads "Unidentified fireman inspects ruins of once sleek supersonic Norththrop F-89 all-weather interceptor where pilot died. This plane and DC-7B collided 20,000 feet over Valley floor, according to Northrop officials who said their plane was flying that high at crash time. Radarman managed to eject himself and parachute from flaming craft before it exploded in La Tuna Canyon."
Northrop Aircraft, Inc Fire fighters--California--Los Angeles County Men--California--Los Angeles County Scorpion (Jet fighter plane) Debris--California--Los Angeles County La Tuna Canyon (Los Angeles County, Calif.)
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