CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Wednesday marks 50 years since the deadliest plane crash in Charlotte's history.
Seventy-two people died when Eastern Airlines Flight 212 crashed just 3 miles from the airport, right off South Tryon Street. The victims included the father and two brothers of late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert. The plane crashed shortly after 7:30 a.m., killing all but 10 people on board.
The disaster forever changed flight rules in the U.S. An investigation found the flight crew was distracted while talking during the plane's final approach. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the crew's conversation ranged "from politics to used cars." NTSB investigators then recommended new guidelines to educate pilots so they'd focus only on necessary duties during flights.
The Federal Aviation Administration later implemented the Sterile Cockpit rule, banning all non-essential activities in the cockpit during crucial parts of a flight, like taking off and landing.
WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with news that impacts you from the team at WCNC Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.