Reader Comments

Mr. Christopher O`Donnell
Like one of your readers (Mr.Jim Bonner of Pleasanton California), I too was only 10 years old at the time
of that disasterous crash.  Unlike Jim I have never attended the crash site until today when I saw it on
your website.  

It has brought to me and my brothers some closure to that fateful day 54 years ago as our father was
one of the passengers.  His name was BERNARD RICHARD TISCHLER and was on his way to London
via the U.S.A., to do a shipping course for a firm in Australia called DALGETY AND CO.

He wanted to go by ship as he had been a sailor in the Royal Australian Navy and was at the time of
his death still in the RANR.

I would be only too pleased to send you a photo of him for your memorial or museum and to take this
opportunity to thank you and your organisation in maintaining interest in this disaster.  If there is
anything else I may be able to help you with, please don`t hesitate to contact me.

KInd regards 
Grant (Tischler) Carpenter        20th December. 2007
Queensland
Australia.

Interesting and very surprised finding your web site on BCPA flight 304 October 1953.  I was 2 years old when my father died on this flight.  Unfortunately I have no recollection of him but can remember him from the few photos I have of him.  It seems very odd that he went through the war in the Navy and not long after met his end.  I was in San Francisco in 1983 with the Royal Australian navy and tried to find out where the accident happened but was unsuccessful when searching the San Francisco news papers archives. 

I think it is fantastic that after all this time there are people still trying to pay tribute to those lost on this flight.  I hope you succeed with your endeavors’.

 Mark Tischler
Perth
Western Australia

I was 10 years old and lived in Redwood City in 1953.  My dad was a fireman with the San Mateo County Forest Service at the time.  He was on one of the crews sent to the site to fight the forest fire caused by the crash.  Several days later, my dad took me to see the crash site.

I have looked at the photos on your web site.  The crash site looked quite different 50 years ago.  The vegetation had all burned away so the wreckage was scattered on the bare ground.  At the scene of the main wreckage, I remember seeing at least one of the engines and several wing and empenage sections.  As a 10 year old, one of the things that made the biggest impression on me was the sight of pieces of dinnerware among the shredded and melted bits of aluminum.  There were also bits of charred cloth.

I remember my dad pointing out the tree that was freshly sheared off.  I can still see it in my mind.  At the time, the tree was easily seen.  The other trees around it weren't as tall as this tree.  As I remember, one wing had stopped at a spot well passed the main wreckage.  This wing with at least one engine still attached had gone over a small hill and settled in a ravine.

There were a couple of men at the site when we were there.  I think they said they were the property owners.  We talked with them for a bit.  They were wondering how to remove the wreckage.  If there are no signs of the engines and props at the site now, at least some of the wreckage must have been removed.

Someone showed me an article in the paper about the 50th anniversary of the crash a couple of years ago.  Recently, I came upon the website for the Resolution.

Jim Bonner
Pleasanton, Ca.

Dear Christopher,

When I first heard about the Resolution story, I admit to be ashamed that I 
had no idea what happened here close-by, virtually in my backyard, 50 years 
ago. My interest is sparked for a couple of reasons:

1) I love aviation. I learned how to fly sailplanes some time ago, but was 
mainly ground crew for my husband. From my home in Redwood City I love to watch 
the jets coming in for approach to SFO from the West. Since I heard about the 
Resolution story, I just can't look at the planes the same way again.

2) As a musician, although an amateur, my heart goes out to William Kapell for 
the abrupt ending of his life and his promising career. Just to imagine what 
his life could have been like, had he stayed on in Honolulu, gives you an 
eerie feeling.

3) Last but not least, I was born in Hungary and visit my parents living in 
Budapest often. It would be fascinating to know more about the Feher family.
The name is quite common (means the color "  white"  ), so it might be hard to find 
them. But perhaps you are already in touch with them.

Please keep me posted on any news on the Resolution. I will also check your 
website often. Your efforts to keep this story alive are indeed very noble.

Sincerely,

Ann M. Jona
Redwood City
   

Dear Christopher,

Thanks for contacting the William Kapell group and bringing to my attention your website on the tragic events of October 29, 1953 near San Francisco.  I am a professional classical pianist,and  it is primarily due to the still painful loss of that great young  artist  that I find your efforts and  the information you have made available of tremendous interest.  Over many years, I have tried to learn what I could about what happened that day, but usually the information is scant, and sometimes contradictory.

Three-and-a-half years ago, I was  in the San Francisco area.  I was there on business, but my ulterior motive was  to find  the location of the crash site.    From what I had read, I decided I should head  to King's Mountain, and area residents were most helpful.  I found Resolution Trail, and finally remnants of the wreckage.  I felt   that it was so odd, so pathetic,  that there was absolutely no memorial, no mention made of what had occurred there.  I seriously considered returning on the 50th anniversary, figuring some like-minded individuals would show up, but work made this impossible.  I am glad there was some sort of memorial event.

Time here is short, and I cannot communicate as much as I had first intended.  Just wanted to let you know that I would like to support your efforts, hope to communicate further, and will be checking back regularly. 

Tom Wells, TX