Major catastophe events of the year 1952. Views of destruction on the ground in Elizabeth, New Jersey, after American Airlines flight 6780, a Convair 240, crashed into a house at Williamson and South Streets on January 22, 1952. Burned wreckage and devastation seen at the crash site in Elizabeth following the crash and subsequent explosions damaging or destroying multipole houses in the 600 block of Williamson Street. In the first few seconds of the clip, the Battin High School for Girls is seen in the background. The school was adjacent to the crash but not hit. Narrator also describes the crash of an Army transport plane in California which killed 86 soldiers, but no images of that crash are shown. Next scenes shift to England, on September 6, 1952, as a de Havilland DH.110 jet aircraft, piloted by John Derry, explodes in midair after achieving Mach 1 and then beginning a left bank and climb at 450 knots during the 1952 Farnborough Airshow. Spectators at the British air show are seen on the ground in the area below the explosion and where debris rained down on the crowd causing deaths and injuries. Engines from the blown-up DH.110 plane (prototype, ID WG236) are seen hurtling through the sky toward Observation Hill immediately after the mid-air explosion. Scenes show crowd working to tend to the wounded and shocked families and children crying.
Hindenburg disaster in Lakehurst, New Jersey. German airship Hindenburg at the Lakehurst Naval Air station after it caught fire. Twisted girders and remains of the airship as naval officers inspect the damaged airship. An official comes out of a building as press questions him about the Hindenburg disaster. Mutilated passengers being put in an ambulances and being taken away for medical aid. Naval officers pose with a young boy outside a building. Officers at an inquiry being conducted into the Hindenburg disaster by the United States Department of Commerce. Officers swear prior to testifying before the inquiring committee.
The National AAU ( Association of American Universities ) championship in Princeton, New Jersey. People gather in large number to watch the championship. Various track and field stars compete at the championship Participants run and jump over the obstacles during a hurdle race.
The launch of USS Nashville in Camden, New Jersey. People gather in large number at the launch. Mildred and Ann Stahlman, daughters of James G. Stahlman, publisher of Nashville banner launch the cruiser. Cruiser underway at sea.
Passengers are interviewed as they prepare to depart on the Zeppelin LZ 129 "Hindenburg" from Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey. One passenger smokes pipe. Close view of a lady passenger. A young U.S. Naval officer, wearing Naval aviator wings, poses for photograph. Huge tail fin of the German airship Hindenburg with the Nazi swastika emblem.
The Zeppelin LZ-129 Hindenburg airship in flight over Lakehurst New Jersey upon arriving on its first flight to the United States. View of huge tail fins with Nazi swastika emblem. The German airship being moored at Lakehurst Naval Air Station. Ground crew maneuvers the airship. Side of airship shows letters 'Hindenburg'. Hindenburg moored to tower at Lakehurst base.
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