Page 46 - 2006 DT 12 Issues

June Bonanza, continued from p. 1 On November 15, 1964, Pilot Hank
Fitzpatrick was approaching Las Ve-

D e s k S c h e d u l e pull up to the aircraft, “Well, I guess gas on a flight from Phoenix. As the
they had to sell us tickets . . . enough to Fokker-Fairchild neared the Spring
Thur/1 R. Erickson J. Barrett buy gasoline for the flight.” There was Mountains, it encountered a heavy
snowstorm that cut visibility to near
some truth in it. More passengers and
Fri/2 V. Sperry R. Erickson zero. Fitzpatrick advised McCarran
more flights were needed. Converse got
Sat/3 W. Barbuck W. Barbuck together with former Nevada Governor that he had dropped below 7,000 feet
Sun/4 D. Harrand D. Powers Morley Griswold, coming up with and then radioed, “Bonanza Flight 114
the idea to promote the service from is . . . .” It was 8:24 p.m. and the last
Mon/5 I. Grieco S.Stenzel transmission. The plane plowed into
both Reno and Las Vegas. Newspaper
Tues/6 J. Frank E. Schliepp ads appeared in both cities and things a peak and disintegrated, just ten feet
B. Wolin picked up, with stops in Tonopah and from the summit and a safe passage.
Another 1964 crash had an impact on
Wed/7 E. Zacharr C. Gilmore Hawthorne. More DC-3’s were added
as Bonanza gained certification as an Bonanza, but it was a Pacific Airlines
Thur/8 J. Barrett J. Barrett interstate carrier, eventually serving flight from Reno to Los Angeles. A sui-

Fri/9 R. Augulis D. Powers four states while carrying mail as well cidal maniac shot and killed the pilot
Sat/10 P. VanDooremaal D. Harrand as passengers. The first mail subsidy and co-pilot. The plane then plunged
was worth $25,000
Sun/11 L. Eaton L. Eaton
a year.
Mon/12 T./N. Hughes J. Geier With the ad-
Tues13 I. Grieco J. Geier vent of commercial
jets, Bonanza was
Wed/14 N. Kresge C. Gilmore
determined to stay
Thur/15 J. Barrett J. Barrett competitive. Stock
Fri/16 D. Kavula D. Harrand was issued and

Sat/17 J. McManus R. Conductor Civil Aeronautics
Board approval for
Sun/18 D. Harrand J. Sachs a $4,324,000 loan
Mon/19 S. Stenzel R. Linsmeier secured. Several Bo-

Tues/20 D. Schoengold C. Gilmore nanza executives, Douglas DC 3
including Converse,
Wed/21 I. Grieco L./M. Utah went to Europe and found the right
Thur/22 R. Keough J. Barrett aircraft in the prop-jet Fokker-Fairch- to the ground, killing all 44 people
on board. Bonanza decided to arm its
Fri/23 R. Kinn E. Schliepp ild F27-A. Designated “Silver Darts,” pilots and embarked on a voluntary
they could carry 40 passengers and
B. Wolin training program. Don Worley was one
cruise at 300 mph. Six were ordered.
Sat/24 M. Lolich M. Lolich Eventually, 11 would be put into of those pilots, packing a .38 special
J. McManus service. Endowed with bold black into his flight bag. “It was a comfort,”
he said. It was a significant event long
Sun/25 T./N. Hughes L./M. Utah and tangerine colors, Bonanza was a
common sight in Nevada’s skies, and years before the Air Line Pilots As-
Mon/26 R. Linsmeier J. Geier the airline proudly proclaimed, “First sociated suggested arming pilots after
Tues/27 D. Schoengold J. Geier all-jet powered airline in America.” In the 9/ll terrorist attacks.
M. Pults 1964, three Douglas DC-9 fanjets were In 1967, Bonanza began to talk
ordered. Now the airline had planes merger with West Coast and Pacific
Wed/28 V. Sperry C. Gilmore that flew over 550 mph and carried 64 Airlines. The CAB gave its approval,
Thur/29 R. Keough J. Barrett passengers. Bonanza had arrived. and with the formation of Air West,

Fri/30 N. Kresge E. Schliepp Bonanza had just one air crash; Bonanza passed into history . . . a
it was a fatal disaster that spoiled legacy as colorful and flamboyant as
Changes/fill-ins? Call L. Dickey, 515-5363 an otherwise perfect safety record. Las Vegas itself. ❏

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