LGE Community Credit Union sponsors New Hope Memorial for Flight 242

LGE Community Credit Union sponsors New Hope Memorial for Flight 242

On April 4, 1977, the worst aircraft disaster in Georgia history took place in Rome.

More than 40 years later, LGE Community Credit Union will donate $10,000 toward a memorial to Flight 242 as part of this year’s Dallas Concert series.

Flight 242 was a Southern Airways DC-9 flying from Huntsville, Ala. to Atlanta, Ga. when it encountered a dangerous thunderstorm over Rome, Ga. The hail and rain took its toll on the aircraft, flaming out both engines and causing it to lose altitude quickly. The lfight crew made a despearate attempt to land a large aircraft on a public road, a move that was unparalleled in the history of commercial aviation, according to a Dallas New Era article. 

The flight tried to land on Georgia 92 Spur, now known as GA 381. Seventy-two people died, including nine victims on the ground who were residents of New Hope, Ga.

Since the disaster, a nonprofit called New Hope Memorial Flight 242 has been committed to building a permanent memorial near the crash site. LGE’s donation brings that goal one step closer to reality.


Also featured in: The Dallas New Era 

 

Related Posts

Leave a Reply