On October 1, 1966, West Coast Airlines Flight 956 met with disaster shortly after taking off from Portland International Airport, bound for Sacramento International Airport. The McDonnell Douglas DC-9 faced significant challenges related to severe weather, with reports of heavy rain and turbulent winds in the region. Despite the pilots’ efforts to navigate through such conditions, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed near the Santiam River, a location that took emergency responders several hours to access due to rugged terrain. Tragically, all 35 individuals on board were killed upon impact, including both crew members and passengers. This incident marked a pivotal moment in aviation, as it resulted in the first recorded loss of a DC-9 aircraft in operational service.The investigation that followed the crash examined several factors, including pilot response to the adverse weather, aircraft maintenance records, and the operational protocols at play during the flight. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a thorough inquiry, which ultimately highlighted weaknesses in existing safety measures and procedures related to weather assessments for flights. It spurred discussions about enhancing pilot training, regulations regarding weather disruptions, and aircraft safety features. The tragic loss also led to broader improvements in emergency response readiness in the aviation sector, particularly focusing on rapid response and effective search and rescue operations in remote locations.