Morbid Podcast Episode 691: The Bombing of United Air Flight 629

Release Date: July 21, 2025
Hosted by Morbid Network | Wondery

Introduction

In Episode 691, titled "The Bombing of United Air Flight 629," hosts Ash and Alaina delve into one of the most tragic and complex cases of mid-20th-century aviation disaster. This episode explores the bombing of United Air Flight 629 in 1955, unraveling the events leading up to the catastrophe, the ensuing investigation, and the eventual identification and prosecution of the perpetrator.

The Fateful Flight

[16:42] Alaina: "United Airlines Flight 629 started out in New York on the late morning of November 1, 1955."
The flight was a Douglas DC6B, a popular piston-powered passenger and cargo plane, carrying 44 passengers bound for Seattle with a final destination in Alaska. This aircraft type was transitioning from military to commercial use, accommodating up to 89 passengers with a crew of three to four pilots and one to two flight attendants.

Passenger Profiles

[18:04] Ash: "Including that must be wild. Especially like everybody takes their first ride on a plane that day."
Many passengers were taking their inaugural flights, reflecting the emerging trend of air travel overtaking trains and cars for leisure. Notable passengers included Patricia and Gerald Lipke, James and Sarah Dory, Helen Fitzpatrick with her one-year-old son, and Daisy King heading to Seattle for a connection to Alaska.

Pre-Flight Struggles

[20:18] Alaina: "Now, at the time, the flight engineers union were eight days into a strike protesting United's recent change in regulation that required all future flight engineers hired by the company also to be qualified as pilots."
A strike by flight engineers left United Airlines scrambling to staff Flight 629, resulting in a crew comprised of Pilot Lee Hall, Co-Pilot Donald White, and Flight Engineer Samuel Arthur. The strain of the strike exacerbated the airline's operational challenges, unknowingly setting the stage for disaster.

The Explosion and Crash

[23:32] Ash: "Late passengers get there on time, get..."
At 6:52 PM, Flight 629 took off from Denver. Moments later, air traffic controllers witnessed a large flash followed by two balls of fire descending. A farmer reported seeing a "brilliant ball of fire" tearing through the sky before crash-landing in a field near Longmont, Colorado, resulting in the immediate death of all on board.

Immediate Aftermath

[29:36] Alaina: "Flight 629 was the second plane to crash in the region near the Rocky Mountain range in less than a month."
The explosion created a massive crash site, scattering debris and remains across rural Longmont. First responders and over 100 volunteers attempted to recover bodies, with the scene being quickly overwhelmed by the scale of devastation.

Investigation Begins

[38:43] Ash: "It weirdly makes you think of when you're. Did you ever learn that in art class where you like, map out a photo that you want to recreate and then you do it piece by piece like that?"
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) led the investigation, employing meticulous techniques to map and recreate the wreckage. Investigator Jack Parshall identified the explosion as intentional, akin to the 1949 bombing of a Canadian airliner, pointing towards a bomb planted in the cargo hold.

Focus on Suspects

[47:07] Alaina: "The passengers on Flight629 were a very varied group in terms of age and background. But with the exception of a few notable businessmen, they appeared really not to have any reason that a death of any of these people would benefit anyone."
Initial suspicions fell on Daisy King, whose life insurance purchase raised red flags. However, further investigation revealed indirect evidence pointing towards her son, Jack Graham, a troubled individual with a history of financial misconduct and a strained relationship with his mother.

Revealing Jack Graham

[52:03] Ash: "Oh, fuck. You made me feel bad for this boy."
Jack Graham's past included check forgery and a failed business venture, painting a picture of a man driven by desperation and resentment. His reconnection with his mother Daisy, who had recently regained financial stability, intensified tensions over the failing Crown A Drive-In restaurant Jack managed.

The Bombing Plan

[80:50] Alaina: "He explained that he'd constructed the bomb from several sticks of dynamite, a 6-volt battery, and electric caps."
Jack Graham meticulously planned the bombing, embedding a 90-minute timer in his mother's luggage. Despite last-minute complications, including Daisy's reluctance to pay excess baggage fees, Jack ensured the bomb was loaded onto the flight, resulting in the tragic explosion.

Arrest and Trial

[72:18] Alaina: "So, on November 14, two weeks after the bombing, Jack Graham was arrested on suspicion of mass murder."
Facing overwhelming evidence, including dynamite purchases and additional insurance policies, Jack was charged with the murder of his mother and the resulting mass casualty event. The trial, the first in Colorado to allow courtroom cameras, culminated in his conviction and death sentence.

Final Reflections

[105:32] Ash: "He made that choice exactly. There's just not. There's just not..."
Ash and Alaina discuss the profound tragedy, emphasizing the irreversible loss suffered by the families of the victims and the moral complexities surrounding Jack Graham's motives. The episode concludes with a somber reflection on the human capacity for destruction fueled by personal trauma and unresolved pain.

Conclusion

Episode 691 of Morbid offers a gripping exploration of the United Air Flight 629 bombing, blending historical facts with emotional narratives. Through detailed storytelling and insightful commentary, Ash and Alaina illuminate the profound impacts of this tragedy, leaving listeners with a deeper understanding of the complexities behind one of aviation's darkest moments.

Note: All quotes are attributed to the respective speakers with corresponding timestamps for reference.