jun 30, 1956 - 1956 Grand Canyon Mid-air Collision

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The Grand Canyon mid-air collision occurred on June 30, 1956, when a United Airlines Douglas DC-7 struck a Trans World Airlines Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation over the Grand Canyon National Park. All 128 on board both flights perished, making it the first commercial airline crash to result in more than 100 deaths. The collision took place in uncontrolled airspace, where it was the pilots' own responsibility to maintain separation ("See and avoid"). This highlighted the antiquated state of air traffic control, which became the focus of major aviation reforms.

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