Decades after a tragic plane crash took the lives of 31 people, families are still coping with their loss.
On this day in 1970, the Wichita State football team packed up for a game against Utah State. The team, split into two, boarded two Martin 404’s destined for Logan, Utah. Nicknamed after the school colors, a “gold” plane carried the team’s starters and prominent community members and secondary players and other staff flew on the “black” plane. The black plane went on its planned route along the north side of Colorado. The pilot of the gold plane made a last-minute change, taking passengers on a more direct path over the Colorado Rockies for a scenic view.
The planes refueled in Denver before they went on their separate paths. Just west of Denver, the gold plane faced trouble early that afternoon. The plane was too low to gain enough altitude or turn around to safety. It crashed into a mountain near Silver Plume. Because the plane was full of fuel, it exploded not long after. Some people managed to escape. It took the lives of 29 people then, and two others died later that month.
Truly surreal being here at the wreckage where so many people tragically lost their lives on October 2nd 1970. @KAKEnews #WichitaState #Memorial70 pic.twitter.com/z6CDfiS4sm
— Chris Lilly KAKE (@ChrisLillyKAKE) October 1, 2020
Today marks 50 years since the WSU plane crash near Silver Plume, CO. Coming up on #KAKENews, we’ll bring you the story of a local who remembers the day well. pic.twitter.com/7HnhYWRcOe
— Eli Higgins KAKE (@EliTheTVGuy) October 2, 2020
HOPING TO HELP
John Putt was just 12 years old when he tried to help after the crash. He was a Boy Scout and had gone through emergency training with the Alpine Rescue Team. The Wichita State plane crash was his first big mission.
“About halfway up the the elements of the crash really started coming into focus,” he said. “Went from the beautiful smells of pine forests to burning timber, burning jet fuel and everything else.”
It was a horrible sight. Plane parts and personal belongings were thrown over a large part of Mount Trelease. His team was hoping to find any possible survivors. He did not, but one thing he found deeply touched him.
“I didn’t handle it well,” Putt said. “When I made a few steps, picked up a wallet that had the picture of a family, large family. It was then I just kind of got overtaken by fear. I froze. I remained motionless for an hour-and-a-half.”
For the longest time, Putt thought nobody made it out alive. About 10 years ago, players had contacted him saying they were returning to the crash site. They wanted him to come along.
“I was stunned that anybody had survived,” he said. “I did for 40 years, I didn’t realize anyone had survived. And so to get to go up to the site with the players for that anniversary was…they didn’t need to bring me along, but they did.”
Getting that invitation meant the world to him. It was a big moment, as he had kept his pain hidden for so long.
“…just completed my connection to the community,” he said with shakiness in his voice. “I didn’t feel so alone in the grief.”
Though he was deeply changed by the crash, Putt continued to help others in emergencies like this. He eventually became a first responder, serving as a firefighter and paramedic for decades. After the trip up the mountain with the football players, Putt sought counseling. He said it’s helped him manage his grief.
13 CHILDREN ORPHANED
The crash not only took young lives of the players on board. It also impacted so many little ones here at home. In all, 22 children lost at least one parent and 13 children were orphaned.
Elizabeth Winterbone lost her parents, dad and head football coach Ben Wilson and her mother Helen. Winterbone was 10 and her brother John was 15 at the time. Within a couple weeks, the two were taken to live with family. It was such a vast change from the excitement they had for Shocker football games and hearing of their dad’s success. The loss has certainly influenced their lives, but Winterbone said she’s grateful for the support that has come her way — especially after moving back to Wichita as an adult.
“It’s a crazy thing,” she said. “I was reflecting on it and thinking, you just don’t know how you’re gonna get through the next day. And then sadly, it’s 50 years later. It’s like, wow, you know, I’ve done it. I’ve survived through through it. But it’s been a constant my whole life.”
Memorial ceremonies take place on October 2nd every year at Wichita State. Winterbone said she didn’t always go to them, especially when she lived in other parts of the country. Yet, she’s been going to them in recent years. A few years back, she was surprised by a coach who worked with her dad. He came up to her and handed her a cufflink he’s had this whole time.
“He gave it to me, and I was going through boxes a while later and found that I actually had the pair. It’s pretty amazing to put these two “Ben” cufflinks back together,” she said. “It was such a special thing that he kept it all these years and wanted to give it to me. I really appreciated that.”
Amid her scrapbooks, original WSU football helmet and jersey, there is one thing Winterbone wishes she had: the memory of how her parents sounded.
“I don’t really know. I don’t remember their voices,” she said. “Yeah. So to have you know, those clips, it’s really it’s a big deal.”
CREATING NEW, POSITIVE MEMORIES
One of the most surprising things to come from the plane crash was the team’s motivation to move forward. The student voted to keep playing in what later was dubbed it’s “second season.” Their first big game was an away game against Arkansas.
They had to make big change, though. Rookie players joined the team, including freshmen, which wasn’t common back then. The school had to get special permission to get those younger students on the roster.
On Oct. 24, 1970, the Shockers faced off against the Razorbacks. It was a blowout. Arkansas plowed through the field for 62 points, but the score did not matter.
“This really wasn’t a football game,” said Dr. Jim Rhatigan, former dean of student life. “It was an emotional experience all the way around for us and for them. It made us made me in Arkansas fan for life.”
Nearly 40,000 fans gave surviving players a standing ovation. Then, throughout the game, they continued to cheer on Wichita State. Afterward, Arkansas players ran mid-field and exchanged hugs with the Shockers.
In 2016, players from both teams reunited back on the field where they played decades before. Wichita gave the Razorbacks a plaque to recognize their support and brotherhood. Rhatigan said players have vowed to stay positive and do anything to keep the memory of their friends alive.
“We get together a number of us get together and we decided long time where we have to live for those players who had a short life,” he said of what the former football players have told him through the years.
WATCH OUR HALF HOUR SPECIAL:
Memorial ’70: Part 1 – Remembering the WSU plane crash
Memorial ’70: Part 2 – Crash Investigation
Memorial ’70: Part 3 – Survivors’ reflection
Memorial ’70: Part 4 – In Memoriam