Remembering Tragedy: 70 Years Since the United Airlines Bombing

Sun Nov 30 2025 23:11:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

On the 70th anniversary of the first confirmed sabotage of a commercial U.S. airliner, survivors and families remember the victims of the tragic United Airlines flight bombing over Colorado.

Seventy years ago, a United Airlines flight was bombed in a personal act of sabotage, killing 44 people. Survivors Conrad Hopp and Marian Poeppelmeyer, connected by their shared trauma, prepare to honor the victims in a memorial event. The bombing, involving dynamite hidden in luggage, led to significant changes in aviation security laws and left lasting emotional scars on those affected. Hopp, who helped recover bodies, and Poeppelmeyer, who lost her father, have built a bond reflecting their mutual loss and healing journey.

LONGMONT, Colo. (AP) — The windows shook as dynamite aboard an airplane exploded over Conrad Hopp’s family farm in northern Colorado 70 years ago.

Hopp, then 18 years old, witnessed a fireball streak through the night sky and rushed to the wreckage site with his brother, navigating around victims' bodies in what was the first confirmed case of sabotage against a U.S. commercial airliner.

Hundreds of miles away, Marian Poeppelmeyer learned of her father’s death in the bombing while still in her mother’s womb. Her mother, pregnant at the time, ran upstairs to hold her eldest daughter and screamed upon learning her husband was among the deceased.

As the 70th anniversary approaches, Hopp and Poeppelmeyer, who have formed a friendship through their shared trauma, will gather at a memorial to honor the 44 lost lives, shedding light on what had remained in the shadows for decades.

Decades of focus on the motives behind the bombing overshadowed the victims themselves. Hopp expressed gratitude for finally recognizing those who lost their lives in this tragedy: “We’ve had 70 years without having any respect at all for the victims who were lost,” he stated.

The United Airlines flight, which took off late from Denver bound for Portland, was bombed by Jack Gilbert Graham, who placed explosives in his mother’s luggage as revenge for being put in an orphanage. After a delay in departure caused the airplane to explode over farmland, investigators were able to gather evidence and witness accounts.

Pursued under state law due to the absence of federal regulations against airline attacks, Graham was convicted of premeditated murder in the singular death of his mother but faced no charges for the other victims. Following his conviction, Congress quickly legislated against airline sabotage.

The bombing led to significant changes in airline security protocols, much like future tragedies including the Lockerbie bombing. Hopp’s life would change drastically as he assisted in recovery efforts, witnessing the grim aftermath firsthand.

While Hopp's family took on the grim task of recovering bodies, Poeppelmeyer grew up with her father's death shushed around her, prompting her to explore her family history years later.

After meeting Hopp, their relationship flourished as they began to support each other in healing from their shared trauma. "There's just a bond there, a beautiful bond because we have this shared story," said Poeppelmeyer.

The upcoming memorial will serve as a tribute, not only memorializing the lives lost but also highlighting the importance of remembrance for the families and communities affected by such tragedies.