.jpg) A National Airlines DC-6B (sister ship to accident aircraft) | |
| Bombing | |
|---|---|
| Date | January 6, 1960 |
| Summary | Suspected suicide bombing |
| Site | Brunswick County, near Bolivia, North Carolina, United States 34°04′47″N 78°10′50″W / 34.0798°N 78.1805°W |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Douglas DC-6B |
| Operator | National Airlines |
| Registration | N8225H |
| Flight origin | Idlewild Airport, New York City |
| Destination | Miami, Florida, United States |
| Occupants | 34 |
| Passengers | 29 |
| Crew | 5 |
| Fatalities | 34 |
| Survivors | 0 |
National Airlines Flight 2511 was a United States domestic passenger flight from New York City to Miami, Florida. On January 6, 1960, the Douglas DC-6 serving the flight exploded in midair. The National Airlines aircraft was carrying 5 crew members and 29 passengers, all of whom perished. The Civil Aeronautics Board investigation concluded that the plane was brought down by a bomb made of dynamite. No criminal charges were ever filed, nor was the blame for the bombing ever determined, though a suicide bombing is suspected. The investigation remains open.
One of the victims was retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Edward Orrick McDonnell, a Medal of Honor recipient and veteran of both World Wars.