Eastern Air Lines flight 304

Another amazing lead!  Thanks so much Jordan Ambridge Langheinz.  This story is about an ill-fated flight.  According to NOLA.com, Eastern Air Lines flight 304 crashed on February 25, 1964 in Lake Pontchartrain.  This crash was the first liner crash in New Orleans history.  All on board died (51 passengers and 7 crew members).

The cause of the crash was determined to be mechanical failure.  Investigators searched for wreckage 45 days after the crash, but only recovered 56% of the aircraft.  Additionally, the remains of 26 passengers have not been recovered.

The location of the plane crash is within 7 miles of shore in Mandeville.  The water was approximately 15 feet deep, but because of silt layers, recovery of evidence, remains, and pieces of the plane were difficult.

There is a reported memorial site at the Garden of Memories in Metairie.  I will make it a point to include this story and the memorial in the book!  Thanks again Jordan!
http://www.nola.com/traffic/index.ssf/2014/02/50_years_after_the_plane_that.html