Remembering the 1994 Jet Crash in Fresno

There obvious similarity between both accidents is that a jet crashed into apartments, but there’s also an element of heroism in both cases, and that’s how Fresno residents remember the crash of 1994.

It was around noon on December 14th, 1994.  Then mayor, Jim Patterson, remembers getting the call and rushing to Olive and Chestnut.

“Chaos; I remember chaos.  I remember burnt up engine parts on Olive Avenue,” said Patterson.

Pieces of the jet had scattered.  One engine slammed into an apartment building, setting it on fire.  About 20 people were injured.  One woman was burned over most of her body.

“I first remember how fortunate we were that no one on the ground was killed.  I also remember the heroics of the pilot and the co-pilot,” said Patterson.

The private pilots contracted by the military had narrowly missed hitting Ewing Elementary School.  Students were at recess at the time.  Dot Powell was the principal the following year and she says a student playing basketball outside was given a warning.

“The pilot was actually waving to her, get away get away, and she saw his face and everything.  Then the plane just made a sharp [lift] over the cafeteria and onto the street,” said Powell.

A year later, Ewing's library was dedicated to the pilots who gave their all to save hundreds of children's lives.

“It was much less of a horrific event because they pulled up and flew over the school,” said Patterson.

The cause of that crash so many years ago was faulty wiring that led to an engine fire.