Search team concludes two-decade effort for flight 2501 wreckage

In June 1950, a tragic aviation disaster involving Northwest Orient Flight 2501 resulted in the loss of all 58 individuals onboard after the aircraft crashed into Lake Michigan due to an unexpected storm. The plane, a propeller-driven DC-4, departed from LaGuardia Airport in New York, intending to reach Seattle with scheduled stops. The crash marked a catastrophic moment in U.S. aviation history, being the worst of its kind at the time, with debris and body parts later washing ashore in South Haven, Michigan. Over the years, efforts to locate the wreckage were initiated by various organizations, culminating in a 20-year search that began in 2004. The Michigan Shipwreck Association, led by Valerie van Heest, utilized advanced sonar technology to sweep the expansive water of Lake Michigan, covering a vast area of approximately 700 square miles. Despite the exhaustive searches and the backing of renowned adventure author Clive Cussler until 2017, the exact location of the wreckage remained elusive. Van Heest expressed mixed emotions regarding the search's conclusion, stating that while some may feel like a failure, their efforts kept the memory of the victims alive. Scientists believe the plane disintegrated upon impact, leading to remains that are too small to detect, likely buried in the thick muck at the bottom of the lake. The extensive search did result in the discovery of several other shipwrecks, but unfortunately not the plane itself. The nonprofit continued efforts for nearly a decade, covering a 600-square-mile grid, identifying unmarked graves where the remains of some victims were interred, but ultimately, they were unable to locate the wreckage of Flight 2501. The tragic event that unfolded over 75 years ago still resonates, with descendants of the lost passengers hoping for closure. The search not only sought to find the wreckage but also served to honor the memories of those who lost their lives in what was once considered the most deadly aviation incident in the United States.