May 24, 2013
60 Moments: 1970 Marshall Plane Crash
For many, a simple highway marker is a reminder of a moment in their lifetime they will never forget.
On the evening of November 14, 1970, the Marshall University football team was flying home after a 17-14 loss to East Carolina.
But Southern Airways Flight 932 never made it, crashing just short of the runway at Tri-State Airport.
The 75 on-board, including players, coaches, administrators, fans and crew were killed instantly.
Investigators recovered the black box and determined a number of factors caused the jet come in too low.
While many thought the football program should disband following the crash, it did not die that night.
The next season, the freshman dominated “Young Thundering Herd” beat Xavier 15-13 in their home opener, before winning a second game later in the season.
Each year on the anniversary of the crash, the 75 Sons of Marshall killed that night are remembered in a service at the Memorial Fountain on campus.
Click here to return to the 60 Moments in WSAZ History page.
