On the morning of December 1, 1974, TWA Flight 514 departed from Indianapolis, Indiana, en route to Washington, DC, with a stopover in Columbus, Ohio. Tragically, the plane never reached its final destination. The aircraft crashed along the ridgeline of the Blue Ridge Mountains above the rural village of Bluemont, Virginia. All ninety-two passengers and crew were lost.
First responders from the surrounding area assisted in the aftermath of the crash. A command center was established at the Bluemont School (now the present community center), where local residents gathered to provide food and support to the emergency personnel working tirelessly day and night on the recovery effort.
In light of the crash and as a result of the investigation report, significant changes were made within the airline industry. The FAA improved communications between air traffic controllers and pilots by clarifying the required altitudes flown during instrument landing procedures. All planes were also equipped with ground sensor capabilities to alert pilots when approaching terrain. These improvements, and others, greatly influenced airline safety and prevented similar incidents from occurring.
A book written in 1977 by Adam Shaw, Sound of Impact, details the events that led up to the crash of Flight 514 and the investigation that followed. The author took a very personal approach, focusing on the individual lives of passengers and crew members to demonstrate that each person “was someone to somebody.” Interviewing relatives, the book assembles a vivid portrait of an abbreviated life—the collective hopes, dreams, and accomplishments of sons, daughters, parents, grandparents, service personnel, friends, and neighbors. Many passengers were just returning home from celebrating Thanksgiving with their families.
The full story of this catastrophic and historic event was also covered in the documentary Diverted: TWA 514. The film provides an in-depth look at the crash, its aftermath, and the lasting impact it had on the aviation industry and the families of those who lost their lives. Through firsthand accounts and expert analysis, Diverted sheds light on the events surrounding TWA Flight 514, ensuring that the tragedy is remembered and that the lessons learned continue to shape aviation safety.
There was never a time or place set aside to honor the memory of those aboard TWA Flight 514. As the 50th anniversary of this tragedy approached, the Bluemont Citizens Association discussed hosting a remembrance ceremony to properly recognize all who perished. It would be a time of healing for the families of the loved ones lost and, for all time, to finally memorialize the passengers and crew.
Fifty years to the day, on December 1, 2024, we gathered at the old Bluemont School in observance of this solemn occasion. An indoor bronze plaque and an outdoor black granite memorial will ensure that all 92 lives lost will never be forgotten. The remembrance ceremony was filmed by local cinematographer, Ethan Weitz. This film was shared with all the families who attended the commemoration, as well as those relatives and first responders who were unable to make the trip to Bluemont.
Our heartfelt thanks go to all the volunteers and donors who contributed to the overwhelming success of this “Day of Remembrance.” Your support made this meaningful and solemn occasion possible.
God bless the living and departed souls.
