Mary Frances Housley

Mary Frances Housley This page is dedicated to the memory of National Airlines Flight 83 heroine, Mary Frances Housley, w She never made it out.

On January, 14 ,1951, National Airlines flight stewardess/attendant Mary Frances "Frankie" Housley sacrificed her life to save the lives of 10 of her passengers. National Airlines Flight 83 crashed at Philadelphia International Airport while attempting to land under wintery weather conditions. The plane slid across the icy runway, plowed through a fence, and finally stopped in a deep ditch. One of

the wings had broken off and severed the fuel lines, causing the plane to burst into flames. Frankie courageously and calmly wrestled open the cabin door and ushered her passengers to safety. She made a total of 11 trips into the burning Douglas DC-4 aircraft. On the 11th trip back into the burning plane, she was attempting to save a 4-month-old baby, while also imploring the 5 remaining passengers to jump. When firefighters finally extinguished the flames, they found her body cradling and protecting the body of the baby, who had also succumbed to the smoke and the flames. This a memorial page whose purpose is share this heroine's story and to preserve her memory.

02/09/2023
Before and After: This original art was donated to Central High School in 1966 and was featured that same year in an is...
10/20/2021

Before and After: This original art was donated to Central High School in 1966 and was featured that same year in an issue of Reader’s Digest. It has sat in the heritage room for decades and the frame was a little worse for wear. Central High School’s HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) chapter sponsored the cost to have this piece professionally rematted and reframed with acid-free materials so it can be preserved and enjoyed by future students and vistors at the school. Dream, Believe, Achieve, and Serve!

A fantastic article written by Mary Frances’ classmate, Dr. Jim Tumblin!
10/20/2020

A fantastic article written by Mary Frances’ classmate, Dr. Jim Tumblin!

Central High School health science teacher Chris Hammond worked for three years to accomplish the installation of a state historical marker dedicated to Mary Frances Housley, a former Central High ...

10/10/2020

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Central High School has unveiled a new historical marker, honoring a heroic alumna who saved nearly a dozen lives. Mary Frances Housley graduated from Central in 194…

10/10/2020

Central High School is remembering a former student and hero who saved lives during a plane crash about 70 years ago.

10/10/2020

Central High alumna honored posthumously for actions following a plane crash

We were very happy to formally unveil and dedicate Tennessee State Historical Marker 1E 136 Mary Frances Housley, Hero o...
10/09/2020

We were very happy to formally unveil and dedicate Tennessee State Historical Marker 1E 136 Mary Frances Housley, Hero of National Airlines Flight 83 today near the corner of Tazewell Pike and Forestall Drive (the road she lived on while attending Central High School). Thank you to everyone that came out and that has supported our efforts to honor this amazing woman!

https://www.knoxschools.org/Page/23680
10/09/2020

https://www.knoxschools.org/Page/23680

Members of the Fountain City community gathered on Friday morning to celebrate the heroism of a Central High School alumna who died nearly 70 years ago.

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119 N Peters Rd
Knoxville, TN
37923

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