Governor Donald Nutter of Montana (R) on January 25, 1962. During a snowstorm, Nutter perishes in a plane crash. House Majority Leader Hale Boggs of Louisiana (D) and Representative Nick Begich of Alaska (D) on October 16, 1972. In terrible weather above Alaska, the plane they are on disappears off radar. They never find the wreckage. Illinois Representative George W. Collins (D) on December 8, 1972. A United Airlines jetliner plane crashes as it approaches Chicago’s Midway Airport, killing Collins. Another forty-four people are killed. Cardiss Collins, Collins’ widow, takes over her husband’s position in the House.
Rep. Jerry Pettis of California (R) February 14, 1975. A former military pilot named Pettis passes away while operating his private aircraft. The plane strikes a mountain close to Banning, California. Five days later, Shirley N. Pettis Roberson, his wife, takes his position in the House. Missouri, August 3, 1976 Representative Jerry Litton (D). A plane catastrophe in northwest Missouri claims Litton’s life. He had just won the Democratic senatorial candidacy for the state and was on his way to a victory celebration. Rep. Larry McDonald (D) of Georgia, September 1, 1983. A Russian fighter shoots down Korean Air Lines Flight 007, killing McDonald. Montana Secretary of State Jim Waltermire (R) on April 8, 1988. As the twin-engine aircraft approaches Helena’s airstrip in light snow, Waltermire is on board when it crashes.
Montana Secretary of State Jim Waltermire (R) on April 8, 1988. As the twin-engine aircraft approaches Helena’s airstrip in light snow, Waltermire is on board when it crashes. Waltermire was running for governor at the time as a Republican. Texas Representative Mickey Leland (D) on August 7, 1989. During a trip to assess relief work in Ethiopia, Leland, a Democrat from Texas and the chair of the House Select Committee on Hunger, is killed when his plane crashes. Rep. Larkin Smith (R) of Mississippi, August 13, 1989. In southeast Mississippi, Smith is a passenger in a Cessna 152 that crashes into the woods. The crash’s most likely cause is determined to be pilot mistake in foggy conditions. Sen. John Heinz (R) of Pennsylvania, April 4, 1991. Heinz, a pilot, is killed in a plane-copter crash.
