The Crash of “Resolution” - October 29, 1953
I’ve lived in San Francisco and been a devotee of Bay Area history for over 38 years, yet had never heard of the fatal airliner crash in Santa Cruz Mountains that claimed 19 lives in 1953. Some of the wreckage from this aircraft is still strewn along King’s Mountain, over a steep slope accessible only by a narrow trail. Through a dear friend and member of the Half Moon Bay History Association, I had the remarkable privilege of attending a guided walk to the crash site. Our group was led by historian Christopher O’Donnell, who acquired a special permit for the visit.
British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines (BCPA) Flight 304 was en route to San Francisco from Sydney , Australia , having begun its last leg in Hawaii . The four engine DC - 6B was 105 feet long, with a wingspan of 117 feet. Named Resolution (after one of Captain Cook’s ships), it was one of four built in 1948. It was equipped in a way most of us can only dream of: sleeper units, comfortable seating and all of the amenities now extinct on modern airliners. Because several passengers, entranced by the beauty of Hawaii , chose to stay there extra days, there were only 11 onboard. They and the 8 crew members probably anticipated a smooth flight.
The probable cause of the crash was a navigational error - the flight plan indicated an intended route farther north of the site, over lower terrain. The impact crushed the airliner like a concertina, and started a forest fire lasting 3 days. Rescue efforts were impossible at first. When recovered, it was determined that some passengers had perished in the fire as opposed to the crash itself. Identification was daunting; dental records were used and in one case, the body of famed concert pianist William Kapell was ID’d by the patch of unburned clothing on his chest. Sadly, he had wanted to linger in Hawaii but called his wife, who said she missed him and asked that he take the flight home.
A plaque is now in place above the crash site, including the names of the 19 victims: it is the only permanent record of this story. Despite years of effort by Chris O’Donnell, Hiller Aviation Museum refused to accept an exhibit, for the reason that it did not want death associated with airline flight. Allow me to express my outrage: what sort of museum would not accurately represent the truth?
Family members and descendants of the deceased have reached out to Chris over the years, many wanting to see the site. Most recently, the son of a man who stowed away in the nose of Resolution years before the crash (now a US citizen) requested a visit to commemorate his father’s 80th birthday.
It was an honor to witness and help memorialize this part of Bay Area history. Please see the link below for photos taken on the 58th anniversary of the tragic event.
In peace and harmony,
Kathy
