My grandfather helped rescue survivors from a 1962 plane crash—and people waiting at the airport drove them away in their own car
I just learned that my grandfather, Kenneth R. Lemon, was recognized for helping after a plane crash in Grand Island, Nebraska. I’m sharing the family clippings because I’d like everyone who helped that night to be remembered.
On December 21, 1962, Frontier Airlines Flight 363, a Convair 340, was approaching Grand Island on its way from Kansas City to Denver. The Civil Aeronautics Board’s investigation says the plane struck the ground about 4,061 feet short of runway 17, skidded, overturned, and caught fire after a wing separated. All 43 people aboard survived. Five were injured.
The investigation concluded that the probable cause was “failure of the crew to monitor altitude properly during a landing approach.” It found no mechanical failure that caused the crash. That finding explains the accident; it doesn’t describe the rescue efforts, and the report doesn’t name my grandfather.
The contemporary newspaper stories and a Northwestern Bell company newsletter fill in some of that human story. My grandfather was a North Platte telephone lineman and a passenger on the flight. The newsletter says that after the plane stopped, he and other passengers got out and helped people from the wreckage. It says they “remained near the plane to help the pilot and an injured stewardess to safety.” Northwestern Bell later awarded him an NWB Citation for his part in the emergency.
The Grand Island Independent clipping also describes people who had been waiting at the airport to meet friends and relatives. They drove their own cars out to the crash site and helped transport passengers. It’s a small detail that has stayed with me: the rescue included people aboard the aircraft and ordinary people who came from the airport and offered a ride.
The newspaper accounts credit flight attendant Pat Reed, off-duty stewardess Connie Werner, and cadets Ron Henderson and Frank Flicker among those who helped passengers escape. My grandfather’s newsletter says three students assisted, but I’ve found two students named in the coverage so far. I’d be grateful for any leads on the third student or anyone else who helped.
I’m proud of my grandfather, and I hope these pictures help bring the whole group of rescuers into view.
Sauce / sources
Civil Aeronautics Board accident report, Frontier Flight 363 (PDF) — official investigation and probable cause.
Report catalog record at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s ROSA P archive
Contemporary Eugene Register-Guard report, Dec. 22, 1962 — reports the crash and names Pat Reed, Ron Henderson, and Frank Flicker among those who helped.
Contemporary Oregon Statesman, Dec. 22, 1962 — additional wire-service coverage.
Grand Island Independent, Dec. 22, 1962, Ernest Hines, “Passengers Are Lucky / Plane Crashes Here” — family clipping attached; this is the source for the account of airport visitors driving to the scene in their cars.
Northwestern Bell TELENEWS, Dec. 1963, “Assists in Rescue” — family clipping attached; this is the source for Kenneth Lemon’s account and the NWB Citation.