Unveiling the Truth Behind the Moviemaking of We Are Marshall
The fateful day of November 14, 1970, marked a tragic moment in the history of Marshall University. Southern Airways Flight 932, carrying Marshall University's football team, the Thundering Herd, crashed near Tri-State Airport in Kenova, West Virginia. All 75 passengers and crew members on board perished in the crash.
The airplane, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9, struck trees on a hill before crashing into the ground and exploding on impact. The crash site was 4,219 feet (1,286 meters) from the runway. The cause of the crash was not specifically attributed to a malfunction of the instrument landing system, glide slope, or altimeter.
The NTSB found that the pilot and first officer did not strictly adhere to landing procedures on approach to Tri-State Airport. The plane was flying too low, likely due to improper instrument readings or an altimetry system error. However, detailed causes involving specific instrument malfunctions such as the glide slope or altimeter have not been cited in the provided sources.
The crash affected both the University and the surrounding community, leading to the cancellation of many activities and memorial services. In the aftermath, the Young Thundering Herd, the new football team assembled after the crash, lost its first game but won its second game against Xavier University with a score of 15 to 13.
Marshall University's football program had experienced difficulties before the 1970 season, including a poor record, stadium condemnation, and expulsion from the Mid-American Conference due to recruiting violations. Jack Lengyel became the new football coach on March 17, 1971, and led the team to success, culminating in NCAA Division I-AA championships in 1992 and 1996. The team moved into Division I-A in 1997 and won its first bowl game in 1998.
The 1970 Marshall University football tragedy is still a part of life at Marshall and in the city of Huntington. An annual memorial ceremony takes place at the Memorial Student Center Fountain at Marshall University. The crash inspired the movie "We Are Marshall" and the documentary "Ashes to Glory."
It's important to note that other notable airplane crashes involving sports teams have occurred throughout history, such as the 1949 crash of the Grande Torino Italian soccer squad, the 1958 crash of the Manchester United team plane, and the 1961 crash of the entire United States figure skating team.
The investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found no evidence of gross negligence or foul play in the crash. The only thing that would have likely prevented the crash was a glide slope at the airport, which was installed at Tri-State Airport using federal funds in 1972. The NTSB report, which analyses all relevant factors such as weather, pilot decisions, and instrument functioning, is the authoritative source for understanding the official accident cause.
The tragedy of November 14, 1970, not only impacted Marshall University but also affected the world of sports, as it involved the Thundering Herd's football team. Despite the setback, the Young Thundering Herd mounted a comeback, winning their second game against Xavier University, scoring 15 to 13.
