Currently reading Robert Matzen's account of the TWA DC-3 crash in January of 1942 that killed actress Carole Lombard and 21 other passengers. Very interesting account of the multiple twists and turns that led to Clark Gable's wife's obliteration on Mt. Potosi ,33 miles southwest of Las Vegas.Nevada. Matsen researched the subject thoroughly and even visited the crash sight. His photos of what remains of the wreckage can be seen on the internet, including multiple shots of the nine cylinder Wright 1830 radial engines. So on page 252 I was surprised to see that the Wright Aeronautics radials were "twelve cylinder Cyclone engines." No matter, it's a very good account of how the "blond bombshell" came to be a passenger on that flight.One of the most intriguing events occurred at Albuquerque when Lombard, her mother, press agent and other passengers were bumped off the flight by Army Air Corp members. The actress, who was returning home from a very successful war bond drive, had a melt down with the agent and threatened to call general so and so who arranged her trip, and her party was allowed to continue the trip west. A little after 7:00 PM (PST) DC-3 ND-1946 and 22 souls all but evaporated in a Fireball seen for many miles.
Last edited: