When a small single engine plane crashed into the Our Lady of San Juan del Valle Shrine on the morning of Oct. 23, 1970, many in San Juan witnessed the event.

The crash caused the shrine to catch on fire, destroying it. The incident made national headlines and led to the creation of the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle - National Shrine.

The old shrine stood where St. John the Baptist Catholic Church now stands.

For 89-year-old Maria Silva, the tragedy felt like it happened yesterday.

She said she remembered seeing the small plane piloted by former teacher Frank Alexander.

A 1955 report from the National Transportation Safety Board said Alexander deliberately dove into the shrine after “requesting churches in the area be evacuated.”

When Silva saw the plane, she said she ha

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