Marshall football plane evacuated for engine smoke

[Dryden]

Stranger than fiction ... almost 36 years to the day, against the same team, East Carolina.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2656671

Marshall football plane evacuated for engine smoke
Associated Press

KENOVA, W.Va. -- A charter plane carrying the Marshall University football team to a game against East Carolina was evacuated Friday after smoke was reported in an engine, emergency officials said.

No injuries were reported among the 200 people aboard, but the timing was eerie.

Almost 36 years ago, on Nov. 14, 1970, a plane carrying the Marshall football team home from a game against East Carolina crashed, killing 75 people, including most of the team. A movie about the rebuilding of Marshall's football program after that crash is scheduled to open nationwide on Dec. 22.

Marshall's sports information director at the time, Gene Morehouse, died in that crash.

On Friday, his son Keith Morehouse was aboard the plane headed for the game in Greenville, N.C.

Morehouse, now sports director of WSAZ-TV in Huntington, and the other passengers calmly left the plane Friday and walked into the terminal. The team's departure was delayed for more than an hour.

"I don't think it's as big a deal as some people are trying to make," Morehouse said.

Marshall's current sports information director, Randy Burnside, said it was a mechanical problem with the plane.

"It was a minor thing," Burnside said. "They should have this fixed. Everybody's fine."

A spokeswoman with the Federal Aviation Administration did not immediately return a telephone message.

 

[tedginn05]

Very strange indeed

 

[ScriptOhio]

Stranger than fiction ... almost 36 years to the day, against the same team, East Carolina.

The movie comes out December 22, 2006.

We Are Marshall (2006)
[SIZE=-1]A true story, based on devastating events, set in Huntington, West Virginia, about a small town steeped in the rich tradition of college football. For decades, players, coaches, fans and families have come together to cheer on Marshall University's "Thundering Herd." For this team and this community, Marshall football is more than just a sport, it's a way of life. But on a fateful night in 1970, while traveling back to Huntington after a game in North Carolina, 75 members of Marshall's football team and coaching staff were killed in a plane crash. As those left behind struggled to cope with the devastating loss of their loved ones, the grieving families found hope and strength in the leadership of Jack Lengyel, a young coach who was determined to rebuild Marshall's football program and in the process helped to heal a community. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1]Also Known As:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]Untitled (Warner Bros/Marshall University Football Project)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]We Are...Marshall[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Production Status:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]In Production/Awaiting Release[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Logline:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]A true story, set in 1970 Huntington, West Virginia, about a small town's efforts to rebuild after the devastating effects of a tragic plane crash that kills nearly the entire football team and coaching staff of Marshall University.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Genres:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]Drama and Sports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Release Date:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]December 22nd, 2006 (wide)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]MPAA Rating:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]PG for emotional thematic material, a crash scene, and mild language.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Distributors:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Production Co.:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]Thunder Road Pictures, Legendary Pictures, Inc., Wonderland Sound and Vision[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Studios:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Financiers:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]Co-Financier: Legendary Pictures, Inc.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Filming Locations:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]West Virgina, USA[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Produced in:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]United States[/SIZE][/SIZE]http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809267427/details

 

[Buck36]

Eerie coincidence

I think if I were coach the team would be driving for any East Carolina game now.

 

[lovin_bobby42]

Not sure where the hell I was... don't remember hearing about this- very scary indeed.
Very intrigued to see this movie. From the looks of the trailers I've seen on tv, looks like they've done a good job. Certainly won't be easy to sit through...My mom knew one of the football players on the plane :( :(

 

[fourteenandoh]

I am looking forward to seeing the movie. It will be tough to sit through, I agree. I just wish they didn't get that ass clown Matthew McConegaehdyjdy (sp?) to be the coach. I just associate him with Texas too much to believe his role.

 

[BuckBackHome]

My wife grew up in Huntington and knew the families of some of those left behind in the crash. We were down there for Thanksgiving last week and she took me to the crash memorial. It is not where the plane actually crashed as you cannot reach that spot, but it is on top of a hill that overlooks the entire city.

 

[lovin_bobby42]

I don't have a problem with Matthew McConaghey having the lead role in this movie. The fact that he's from Texas and a Texas fan would not influence me as to not seeing it. The movie hasn't been released yet so give the guy a chance. I don't think I've ever seen him in a movie I didn't like. He's very passionate about the roles he chooses & I expect nothing less with this one.
Incidently, has anyone seen the auctions on Ebay for movie premiere tickets in Huntington? They're going for $200-$300 for pairs! Completely outrageous. I would like to be there but who can afford something like that?!...Especially when movie ticket prices are about $8-$10 a piece normally!!