Clifford Davids

Thanks for the comment, and send Ron my regards when you see him. Cliff

Thank you for your help. I will update the photo. Cliff

Ron Crysler was the good friend and flight instructor of Lyman W. Keele, Jr., the co-pilot of Southern Airways Flight 242. They had also been Navy Fighter pilots during the Vietnam War. Read about their weekend adventures after the war while flight training over the mountains of North Georgia. This posting also contains a brief history and a fantastic photographic display of flight operations aboard the USS Wasp in October of 1969. You can find it directly at: http://ashevilleoralhistoryproject.com/2013/11/17/uss-wasp/ Thank you. Cliff Davids

Thanks for trying.

Yes. If anyone can identify the guy with the blue shirt and blue hat standing in the second row, third from the right, please tell me so I can include his name in the photograph. Thanks. Cliff

Thanks to Capt. Butler, I have been able to procure a photo of the New Hope Volunteer Fire Department from the late 1980's. I have been able to identify everyone in the photo except one person. Any help would be appreciated. Click the link below and you will find the photo at the bottom of the story: http://ashevilleoralhistoryproject.com/2013/04/28/john-clayton/ Thank you. Cliff Davids

Thank you both for your comments. Also, I have seen Ms. McMichen's book, and it it is thoroughly researched and well written. Have a great day. Cliff

WHNT News 19 recently found this 16mm film footage in their video library and restored it. It includes powerful live news footage of the Flight 242 crash scene. It also includes an interview with an unidentified local first responder, as well as with an injured crash survivor in his hospital bed. Just scroll to the bottom of the following link: http://ashevilleoralhistoryproject.com/2013/03/27/new-hope/ Thank you. Cliff Davids

Thank you for all of your replies. FYI, Rodney (of Rodney's BBQ in New Hope) and I are planning a ceremony at his restaurant in February 2014 to honor former members of the New Hope VFD, other area fire-fighters, and their families. Stay tuned. Cliff

Read about the murder trial of the air traffic controller who was tracking Southern Airways Flight 242 when it went down in New Hope. You can find it directly at: http://ashevilleoralhistoryproject.com/2013/10/18/flight-controller/ Thank you. Cliff Davids

Thanks for the name and number, Captain. I'll followup. Have a great day. Cliff

I just found a great photograph of the guys in the New Hope Volunteer Fire Department. It was taken in front of their old firehouse on April 3, 1977, the day before Southern Airways Flight 242 crashed in New Hope. Incredible. Does anyone know, are any of these guys still around? How about their families? I sure would like to talk with them. You can find the photo at the following link. Just go to the bottom of the story to the section entitled "New Hope Volunteer Fire Department." http://ashevilleoralhistoryproject.com/2013/04/28/john-clayton/ Thank you. Cliff Davids

This article also includes an emotional photo of co-pilot Lyman W. Keele's wife as she hurriedly arrives at Kennestone Hospital after the crash. You can find it directly at: http://ashevilleoralhistoryproject.com/about-flight-242/ Thank you. Clifford Davids

This posting presents photographs from the archives of the Dallas New Era that were taken directly after Southern Airways Flight 242 crashed. They show the New Hope VFD putting out the flames of the wreckage, as well as the search for survivors. You can find it directly at: http://ashevilleoralhistoryproject.com/2013/09/08/action-photos/ Thank you. Cliff Davids

This is the story about how the worst part of the Flight 242 wreckage ended up in the county dump in Dallas, GA--and the consequences of that decision. WARNING--this telling gets somewhat graphic. You can find it directly at: http://ashevilleoralhistoryproject.com/2013/08/27/dry-tomb/ Thank you. Cliff Davids

Your ex-husband, like all of the first responders, did an amazing job that day. My congratulations and good wishes go out to all of them. Cliff Davids

Six never before published National Transportation Safety Board photographs of Flight 242 after it crashed in New Hope, GA. The pictures include both aerial views and close up shots of the wreckage. You can find it directly at: http://ashevilleoralhistoryproject.com/2013/08/18/ntsb-photos/ Thank you. Cliff Davids

This may be my creepiest story to date, but here it is. Find Hanging Mary's astonishing tale directly at: http://ashevilleoral...5/hanging-mary/ Thank you. Cliff

I agree. You would enjoy reading some of the other orphanage stories on my blog. You can find them in the content section under Eliada Orphanage. Thanks. Cliff

I have just posted one of the most chilling ghost photos I have ever seen, along with the story on how I discovered it. You can find it at: http://ashevilleoralhistoryproject.com/2012/09/29/the-haunted-orphanage/ Thank you. Cliff

The troubles of Old Man Johnson were far worse then anyone realized. Find out how the yellow cat made his life a living nightmare at: http://ashevilleoralhistoryproject.com/2012/09/24/did-the-cat-come-back/ Thank you. Cliff Davids

Read about the "Lucky 22" passengers and how they beat the odds and survived the crash of Flight 242. The story also includes a somewhat graphic NTSB map of the final crash site, including the precise location of where many of the victims bodies were found. You can find it at: http://ashevilleoralhistoryproject.com/2013/07/08/lucky-few/ Thank you. Clifford Davids

Thanks for the comment. I need to get to Paulding Hospital for a look at their 242 exhibit. Cliff

Thanks for the tip, but I just changed it so the original link is now working. Too early on a Saturday morning, I guess. Cliff

This posting contains unpublished eyewitness statements and photographs from the official crash investigation. You can find it at: http://ashevilleoralhistoryproject.com/2013/06/26/dead-stick/ Thank you. Clifford Davids