Wednesday, February 15, 1961: U.S. figure skating team

The entire U.S. figure skating team -- 18 skaters -- dies when their plane crashes near Brussels, Belgium. The team (along with coaches, officials and family members) was en route to Prague, Czechoslovakia, for the world championships, which were cancelled in the wake of the accident.

* Accident description (from Aviation Safety Network): @

* Crash site footage: @

* U.S. Figure Skating Memorial Fund (established after crash): @

* "Remembering Flight 548" (2000 series from Boston Globe): @

* Footage of Laurence Owen at U.S. National Championships (January 29, 1961): @

* Sports Illustrated (February 13, 1961) -- Cover: @ Story: @

* "Never to Skate Again" (Life magazine, February 24, 1961): @

* "Rise" (2011 movie): @

---