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Bardstown, KY Private Plane Crash (Hit Buzzard), Mar 1948

Posted March 5th, 2009 by Stu Beitler

BUZZARD BLAMED IN PLANE CRASH AS FIVE PERISH.

Bardstown, Ky., March 27 -- (AP) -- A plane crash believed caused by a buzzard took the lives of five Nashville, Tenn., residents near here today.
The privately-owned plane was scattered over a considerable area after the crash. All the bodies were badly mutilated.
Eyewitnesses said the plane apparently struck a buzzard, breaking one of the propeller blades. The Civil Aeronautics Administration at Louisville said if the plane flew into a buzzard, it would be possible for the craft to vibrate apart before the pilot could stop the engine. The CAA sent Inspector C. H. Driver to the scene.
The victims, all of Nashville, Tenn., were identified by Nelson County Sheriff Tom Shields as:
JOSEPH MARTIN WEST, 39, Nashville motorcycle patrolman.
MRS. MARGARET WEST, 39, his wife.
PAUL W. BENDERLY, about 27, first officer and co-pilot for American Airlines.
MRS. ATHA BENDERLY, 25, his wife.
PAUL W. BENDERLY, JR., their. eight-months old son.

Cumberland Times Maryland 1948-03-28
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!

This is probably the plane

On April 10th, 2009 Anonymous (not verified) says:

This is probably the plane crash mentioned by Thomas Merton in his The Sign of Jonas, page 100, March 28, 1948. Parts of the plane apparently landed in the woods of Gesthemane Monastery, near Louisville, KY.

1948 Plane Crash

On June 21st, 2009 Lee Newton (not verified) says:

I am trying to locate any family members of the victims in this plane crash. I own land that connects with Gethsamane and am hanging a memorial sign at the site of the crash. Please email if anyone has any contact information - it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Lee Newton

Sheriff

On July 2nd, 2009 Anonymous (not verified) says:

The Sheriff in this story was my Great Grandfather.

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