The last time I was at Tri-State Airport was July 4th of last year, and instead of being on the ground for a short 40 minute turnaround, the crew and passengers were stuck there for seven hours as our aircraft suffered a mechanical problem. The gate agents and ground staff were exceedingly courteous and welcoming--they lent us flight attendants a car so we could grab food at one of the area's finest eateries. We found a Taco Bell about ten minutes from the airport, and this was the fanciest Taco Bell I have ever seen. It had a waterfall adjacent to the drive-thru lane and a covered terrace dotted with plants and bushes where patrons could dine on Chalupas al fresco.
On the way to the restaurant and back to the airport, we drove up and down steep hills and curved roads. The flying public normally tends to think of airports being either near a large metropolis or at least founded on a smooth, flat surface. For the majority of airports, this is true. Tri-State Airport has the opposite layout; the ends of the main runway are marked by steep drops and the reduced runway length leads for little margin of error. During our extended delayed sit at the airport, we talked with the ground staff and airport operations team while simultaneously playing a game of cornhole near the baggage offload area on the apron. By the time we were ready to depart, it was night. Rain began to fall and fog began to roll in. I heard one of the ground staff remark: "this reminds me of Marshall."
On the night of November 14, 1970, Southern Airways Flight 932 crashed into a hill short of the runway at Tri-State Airport in adverse weather conditions. The chartered DC-9 was carrying the Marshall University football team, along with coaches and other supporters. All 71 passengers, including the two pilots and two flight attendants, perished in the accident. Almost 46 years later, the tragedy still is fresh in the minds of those who remember it most--foremost on the minds of those who tried to help at the accident site. The ground agent explained that everyone in Huntington can remember what they were doing and where they were when the accident happened, almost like us asking each other where we were when the Towers were hit.
I worked a recent flight to Huntington just this past week. Before we began our initial descent, the captain informed us that there were heavy storms over and near the field. We had one chance to land, and if we had to abort the landing, we would have to divert to Lexington to get more fuel. He didn't seem too optimistic as he explained this over the PA to the passengers, but everyone understood. I took my jumpseat prior to landing as we weaved around dark clouds. It was a bumpy approach, and looking out of the forward entry door window I could only catch glimpses of land before the rain and fog covered it again. I thought to myself how the weather reminded me of the gate agent's account of the Marshall accident. As we were descending lower and lower, I felt that we would not be able to land. The conditions didn't seem to be improving and the rain was falling harder. I began reviewing my evacuation commands and procedures in my head and got into my brace position. The wheels hit the runway and we began decelerating. Relieved passengers started applauding as we taxied towards the terminal.
As the passengers deplaned, many of them popped their heads into the flight deck to thank the captain and first officer for a safe landing. One couple was left on the aircraft--the gentleman was waiting for the wheelchair to arrive while his wife stood next to him near the entry door. By that time, the captain had joined us flight attendants in the forward galley. The woman came nearer and shook the captain's hand to thank him for the landing.
"While we were landing," she said, "I couldn't help but think of Marshall. It was raining like this that night." She asked if any of us had heard of the accident, and I nodded my head.
"My husband," she said while motioning to the gentleman seated at the bulkhead, "was one of the first responders. He was the chief of police in Huntington, and he tried to save people. We all remember that night."
When the wheelchair arrived, I went over to the man and helped him up. I held out my hand and thanked him for his efforts to help at the accident site.
"I still remember it like it was yesterday," he replied. "Thank you for getting us here safely."
We had a two hour sit in Huntington as we waited for the Orlando inbound plane to arrive to swap aircraft. While eating in the airport restaurant, the storm passed by as quickly as it came, and the sun began to shine.
There are many plaques and memorials honoring the Marshall team and those lost in the accident throughout Huntington. It is their sadness, but also the time when communities came together to help each other ease the pain and grief. Tri-State Airport is quaint, but it has a momentous place in sport, state, and aviation history.
Here's a portrayal of the accident scene from the 2006 movie "We Are Marshall." It isn't the best quality but incredibly emotional: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2seTQpI8_-k.
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