New Hope Memorial Flight 242, Inc./Southern Airways 242 Memorial Page

04/04/2023

Today marks the 46th anniversary of the tragic crash of Southern Airlines Flight 242 in New Hope, Paulding County, Georgia killing 72 people including 9 on the ground. Prayers for families, friends, first responders, fire and rescue, doctors, nurses !

04/05/2021

04/04/2021

Today, April 4, 2021 was a beautful 72 degree sunny day in New Hope for the dedication of the Flight 242 monument. Families came from Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama and Georgia. Pictures from today will be posted as soon as they are available.

04/02/2021

Here is the link for live stream of April 4, 2021 at 3:00PM ET:
The event will also be video recorded for viewing at your convenience anytime after April 4th:

Live Stream of Dedication 3:00pm

03/05/2021

The decision to schedule the monument dedication on April 4, 2021 was a very difficult one for our board. We recognize that it is Easter Sunday this year and are keenly aware of the pandemic as we have all been affected either personally or through family and friends. Our Board has worked diligently for the last 14 years toward building the monument with families and survivors as our primary focus to bring peace and comfort. We have heard from many families, survivors, and first responders encouraging us to complete the monument as soon as possible. That encouragement kept us going and pushing toward the goal of completing the monument. Who knew we would be in a pandemic when the monument is complete? So you ask, why don't we just wait until the pandemic is over? If we had decided to wait, we would have to stop construction due to liability risk for New Hope Memorial Flight 242, Inc. This is a risk we are not able to take financially. The dedication ceremony is also a donation ceremony of the monument to the Paulding County Government for the liability and maintenance of the monument for perpetuity.
This ceremony does not prevent families from gathering at some future time after the pandemic.
Feel free to call me if you have questions! I pray that each of you will feel comfortable and peace instead of anger toward a group if kind compassionate people trying to help others.

03/04/2021

New Hope Memorial Flight 242, Inc. is pleased to announce the dedication of the monument in memory of the Southern Airways Flight 242 victims and in honor of the survivors. The public is invited to attend the monument dedication on the 44th anniversary of the crash of Southern Airways crash on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021, at 3:00 PM in the New Hope Community at the corner of Dallas Acworth Highway and Chester Harris Road directly across from New Hope First Baptist Church, Dallas, GA 30132. The dedication will be live-streamed for those unable to attend. The live stream access information forthcoming.

02/26/2021

Construction of our Southern Airways Flight 242 monument has begun. What a happy thing to say!

Now for the not so happy news: due to Covid restrictions we will not be having an anniversary memorial service this year. However, once the monument is finished AND Covid restrictions are lifted we will have a dedication ceremony open to the public. We will post the date and info here as soon as it is available, so check back often. For now, stay safe and know we look forward to seeing you at the dedication.

11/12/2020

IT IS TIME TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION ON OUR MONUMENT IN MEMORY AND HONOR OF SOUTHERN FLIGHT 242 AND THE NEW HOPE COMMUNITY!

On April 4, 1977 Southern Airways Flight 242 crashed in the small community of New Hope, Georgia, in Paulding County. This is the largest aviation disaster in Georgia’s history, and the tiny community of New Hope bore the burden and aftermath of the crash with the perseverence of champions and the hearts of gentle giants. Twenty-two (22) aboard the flight survived, 63 aboard perished, and New Hope lost nine of its own. New Hope residents opened their hearts and homes with love and grace, welcoming everyone touched by this tragedy who wanted or needed to be at the site for comfort and healing. Eventually New Hope Memorial Flight 242, Inc. was formed for the purpose of erecting a monument to mark this event in Georgia’s history, but more importantly to provide a place for both survivors and families of the fatalities to continue the ongoing process of healing as much as possible. These efforts have resulted in many new friendships and a unity that has become the Southern Flight 242 Family. And now the latest result, after 13 years of work and dedicated diligence, we have broken ground for our memorial monument!!

Our groundbreaking event was held Nov. 10, 2020 at the site of the current historical marker. This event was attended by various members of the New Hope Memorial Flight 242, Inc. Board of Directors. Also in attendance were representatives of Prime Contractors, Inc. including owner Keith Dunn and architect Brett Jones. Prime Contractors will be erecting our monument.

Paulding County was very well represented by employees of the following divisions/offices:
Paulding County Commissioners Office
Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge
Paulding County School Board
Paulding County Chamber of Commerce
Paulding County Chamber Events & Communications
Paulding County Airport Authority

Various other guests were in attendance including the only remaining crew member of Southern Flight 242, Sandy Purl.

We appreciate the attendance of all who participated, all who donated, all who have worked toward making this monument a reality, all who cared and prayed for this great day! To all who offered ‘a new hope’ for so many, we give our most sincere THANK YOU!!

A dedication ceremony will take place after the monument is completed and when we can safely hold a formal dedication service. Keep checking this page for updates!

10/30/2020

Announcing GROUNDBREAKING for our revised monument on November 10, 2020 at 11:00AM(E) *Weather permitting*
AT HISTORICAL MARKER IN NEW HOPE CEMETERY
(Across Dallas Acworth Highway from New Hope First Baptist Church, 44 Bobo Road, Dallas GA 30132)
Email [email protected] for more information

10/30/2020

10/30/2020

ANNOUNCEMENT TO COME SOON!!