The Crash of Flight 307

March 7, 1950 at 9:02 PM

During its approach through a blinding snowstorm, NWA Flight 307 clipped its left wing on the flagpole at Ft. Snelling Cemetery. Captain Donald Jones struggled to maintain altitude as he circled around for another attempt. The wing detached completely above the Washburn Water Tower, causing the plane to crash into the Doughty family home directly across from this spot. The resulting explosion and fire destroyed the house and severely damaged two adjacent dwellings. Children Janet and Tommy Doughty, upstairs in bed, were killed along with ten passengers and the three crew members. This memorial is dedicated to the 15 people who lost their lives on that snowy evening.

Joseph V. Breitwieser • Robert C. Buhmann • Mathilda Debeck • Janet Doughty • Tommy Doughty • Donald B. Eberhart • Helen Overlien Hott • Donald B. Jones • Mary Alice Kennedy • William B. Lampert • Robert N. Lohn • William T. McGinn • Dora Nolder • Emery E. Oliver • Charles H. Pafford

Marker is on Minehaha Parkway west of South Dupont Avenue, on the left when traveling west.

Courtesy hmdb.org

Credits and Sources:

HMDB