An airplane tragedy drew me to an airport just south of California’s State Capitol: Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC). At the time this was the worst air to ground disaster in United States history.

This was front page news when I was just over one year old in 1972. (I didn’t read the newspaper back then).

We set the scene on September 24, 1972 at about 4:25 PM.

Over the weekend the airport hosted an air show: the Golden West Sport Aviation Air Show.

On Sunday afternoon, one of the aircraft featured in the show, a Canadair F-86 Sabre, piloted by Richard Bingham, lined up on Runway 30 and he pushed the throttle forward for takeoff. The plane’s destination was Oakland Airport.

As the Korean War era jet gained speed on the runway, Bingham pulled back on the stick. The nose pitched up into the air at a steep angle but the pilot made a fatal mistake. He over rotated the Sabre.

Bingham, an experienced pilot, had less than four hours of flight time with the Sabre. When you over rotate on takeoff you position the aircraft’s nose at an angle at which the plane’s wings do not generate enough lift and the plane cannot take off. Each aircraft has a peak range of lift, and the Sabre was known to lift prematurely on takeoff since the 1950s.

The Sabre sped towards the end of the runway, a dirt berm, a chain link perimeter fence, Freeport Boulevard, and the Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour, packed with families enjoying Sunday afternoon sweets.

The Sabre struck the berm shearling off the two external fuel tanks causing a massive explosion. The jet burst through the chain link fence and across Freeport Boulevard, hitting a car and killing its passengers.

The Sabre crossed into the parking lot, totaling two cars before it hit Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour at an estimated 200 miles per hour.

The deviation was heartbreaking. In that instance, 22 people lost their lives, including 12 children who were enjoying their time at Farrell’s. 28 people were also injured.

One eight year old, lost nine family members. A young sister, lost her twin sister.

Ironically, Richard Bingham, the pilot, survived with just a broken arm and leg. He never flew again.

Some good did come from this disaster. Laws were changed regarding flying vintage aircraft and qualifying pilots. Also because burn victims had to be flown to San Francisco or Los Angeles to be treated, in the wake of the Sabre crash, a burn unit was established in Sacramento.

It’s About Time: The Memorial

It was not until 30 years later that a memorial was placed near the location of the front door of the now gone ice cream parlor.

The memorial plaque lists the names of those who perished, first the children and then the adults. What is stunning is the repeated surnames. This tragedy destroyed families.

Here is the inscription on the plaque:

“Believe with the heart of a child; find courage, comfort, and strength there.” – Kerri Francis McCluskey, Kristi’s Twin Sister

In loving memory of the children

Kristin “Kristi” Dawn Francis · Elaine June Jugum · Nancy Teresa Keys · Sally Ann Keys · Brandon Warren Krier · Jennifer Ann Krier · Gregory Gene Martin · Jeanene Louise Martin · Shawn Anthony Martin · Gary Wayne Nash · Jeffrey Allen Nash · Nancy Ann Rodriguez

In loving memory of the adults

Joan Southwick Bacci · Billie Gertrude Irwin · Louis “Bud” Jugum · Sandra Ann Creasey Krier · Warren Krier · Gene Wilson LaVine · Margaret May LaVine · Sue Martin · Anthony Lloyd Martin · Ellen Warram · Leon Warram

At this site, on September 24, 1972, a vintage Korean War jet attempting to take off from Sacramento’s Executive Airport crashed into a crowded Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor killing twelve children and eleven adults, as well as injuring many others. At that time this tragedy was the worst air-ground disaster in our country’s history. This memorial is dedicated to all of the victims.”

Sketching Notes

For my spread about the Farrell’s tragedy I first sketched the map of the airport and title before I went to Sacramento.

I knew that they had an F-86 Sabre at the Aerospace Museum of California and I planned to sketch the iconic nose of the fighter to the right of my sketchbook.

I then headed south of the State Capitol to the former site of Farrell’s to sketch the memorial.

On a personal note, there was a Farrell’s in my hometown. It was one of those special occasion restaurants when someone had a birthday (you got a free sundae if it was) or if someone was visiting from out of town.

The business was started in Portland, Oregon in 1963. At the height of the company’s growth there were 120 locations nationwide.

The 1890s themed ice cream parlor featured employees dressed in period costumes, a player piano, and massive ice cream sundae called the “Zoo” which would be carried out on a stretcher by employees running wildly through the restaurant to the sound of ambulance sirens.

On September 24, 1972, the sirens were real.