Air Florida Flight 90 facts for kids
The tail section of the aircraft being hoisted from the Potomac River
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| Accident summary | |
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| Date | January 13, 1982 |
| Summary | Stalled and crashed shortly after take off due to lack of de-icing and pilot error |
| Place | Potomac River, Washington, D.C. 38°52′34″N 77°02′29″W / 38.87611°N 77.04139°W |
| Passengers | 74 |
| Crew | 5 |
| Injuries (non-fatal) | 5 |
| Fatalities | 74 |
| Survivors | 5 |
N62AF, the aircraft involved in the accident |
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| Aircraft type | Boeing 737-222 |
| Airline/user | Air Florida |
| Registration | N62AF |
| Flew from | Washington National Airport |
| Stopover | Tampa International Airport |
| Flying to | Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood Int'l Airport |
Air Florida Flight 90 was a passenger plane that crashed on January 13, 1982. It was a scheduled flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport. The flight included a stopover at Tampa International Airport.
Soon after taking off from Washington National Airport, the Boeing 737 aircraft hit the 14th Street Bridge. This bridge crosses the Potomac River near Washington, D.C.. The plane struck seven vehicles on the bridge. It then broke through a guard rail and plunged into the icy Potomac River.
There were 74 passengers and 5 crew members on board the plane. Sadly, 78 people died in total, including 4 people who were in cars on the bridge. Only 5 people from the plane survived the crash. One passenger, Arland D. Williams Jr., bravely helped others survive but tragically lost his own life. Civilians and rescue workers helped save the survivors from the freezing water. President Ronald Reagan later praised these heroic actions.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the accident. They found that the main cause was pilot error. The pilots did not turn on the engine's ice protection system. They also tried to use another plane's exhaust to melt ice, which made the problem worse. They continued with the takeoff even after noticing power problems and ice on the wings.
Contents
A Tragic Winter Flight
The Aircraft and Crew
The Plane's Details
The aircraft involved in this accident was a Boeing 737-222. It was 13 years old and had flown for over 27,000 hours. The plane was first used by United Airlines before Air Florida bought it in 1980. It had two powerful turbofan engines made by Pratt & Whitney.
The Pilots and Flight Attendants
The Captain was Larry M. Wheaton, 34 years old. He had about 8,300 hours of flight experience. He had flown the Boeing 737 for 1,752 hours, with 1,100 of those as a captain. Captain Wheaton had faced some training challenges in the past. He needed extra practice to improve his skills in certain areas.
The First Officer was Roger A. Pettit, 31 years old. He had around 3,353 flight hours, with 992 on the Boeing 737. Before joining Air Florida, he was a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. He was known for being skilled and calm during difficult flights.
During this flight, the First Officer was the one actively flying the plane. However, the Captain always has the final say in all flight operations. The plane also had three cabin crew members: Donna Adams, Marilyn Nichols, and Kelly Duncan.
Snowy Weather Conditions
Problems with De-icing
On January 13, 1982, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was closed due to a heavy snowstorm. About 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) of snow fell. The airport reopened around noon, but conditions were still difficult.
The Air Florida plane was scheduled to fly back to Fort Lauderdale. Its departure was delayed by almost two hours because of the snow. As the plane got ready, moderate snow continued to fall. The temperature was very cold, around 24°F (-4°C).
The plane needed to be de-iced to remove snow and ice. This was done by another airline using a mix of hot water and a special liquid. However, the de-icing process had problems. Important covers for the plane's sensors and engine parts were not used. Also, the de-icing mixture was not correct. This meant the plane was not properly cleared of ice.
The Flight's Final Moments
Trouble on the Runway
The plane had difficulty leaving the gate because of the icy ground. The crew tried to use the engines' reverse thrust to move, which was not recommended in those conditions. Eventually, a special ground vehicle with snow chains pushed the plane back.
The aircraft then waited in a long line of planes for 49 minutes. More snow and ice built up on its wings during this time. The pilots knew about the ice but decided not to return for more de-icing. They worried it would cause further delays. Heavy snow was still falling as they began their takeoff roll at 3:59 pm EST.
The crew did not turn on the engine anti-ice systems. These systems use heat from the engines to prevent ice from forming on sensors. Without them, the engine power readings could be wrong.
A Difficult Takeoff
During the takeoff checklist, the First Officer asked about the "Engine anti-ice." The Captain replied, "Off." This decision caused the engine power indicators to give false readings. The engines were actually producing much less power than the instruments showed. Neither pilot had much experience flying in heavy snow.
The pilots also made another mistake. They taxied too closely behind another plane, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9. They thought the heat from its engines would melt the ice on their wings. Instead, the exhaust gases melted the snow, which then refroze on the wings and engine parts. This made the ice problem even worse.
As the plane sped down the runway, the First Officer repeatedly told the Captain that the power readings seemed wrong. He felt the plane wasn't gaining enough speed. The Captain, however, dismissed these concerns and continued the takeoff. Investigators later said there was enough time and space to stop the takeoff safely.
The Crash into the Potomac
The plane traveled much farther down the runway than usual before lifting off. Passengers described a very rough ride. One survivor, Joe Stiley, told his co-worker to get into the crash position.
The Boeing 737 managed to get airborne but only reached about 352 feet (107 meters) high. It was in the air for just 30 seconds. At 4:01 pm EST, the plane crashed into the 14th Street Bridge. It hit six cars and a truck, damaging the bridge. Then, it plunged into the freezing Potomac River. Most of the plane quickly sank, leaving only the tail section visible.
Of the people on board:
- Four crew members, including both pilots, died.
- One crew member, Kelly Duncan, was seriously injured but survived.
- Seventy of the 74 passengers died.
On the bridge:
- Four motorists died.
- Five motorists were injured.
Five people clung to the tail section in the icy water: flight attendant Kelly Duncan and passengers Patricia Felch, Joe Stiley, Arland D. Williams Jr., and Priscilla Tirado. Kelly Duncan gave the only flotation device to the injured Patricia Felch. Another passenger, Bert Hamilton, was floating nearby and was the first to be rescued.
Heroes of the Potomac River
Brave Rescuers and Survivors
The crash happened very close to the George Washington Parkway. News crews and first responders arrived quickly. Chester Panzer, a cameraman for WRC-TV, filmed the scene. He captured the moment when Lenny Skutnik, a civilian, bravely dove into the icy water to pull Priscilla Tirado to safety. Panzer was recognized for his amazing news photography. Charles Pereira, a photographer for the United States Park Police, also took important photos of the rescue.
The story of Arland D. Williams Jr. touched many hearts. He was one of the survivors clinging to the wreckage. When rescue helicopters arrived, he repeatedly passed the lifeline to other survivors. He made sure others were saved first. Tragically, he drowned before he could be rescued himself.
Remembering the Heroes
Many people were honored for their bravery during the rescue. Arland D. Williams Jr. received the Gold Lifesaving Medal posthumously (after his death). The bridge span where the crash happened was renamed the Arland D. Williams Jr. Memorial Bridge in his honor. His college, The Citadel, and his hometown in Mattoon also have memorials for him.
Civilians Roger Olian and Lenny Skutnik also received the Gold Lifesaving Medal. Lenny Skutnik was even introduced to the U.S. Congress by President Ronald Reagan. The crew of the U.S. Park Police helicopter, pilot Donald W. Usher and paramedic Melvin E. Windsor, received the Silver Lifesaving Medal and the Interior Department's Valor Award for their efforts. All these heroes also received the Carnegie Hero Fund Medal. Kelly Duncan, the surviving flight attendant, was praised for her selfless act of giving her life vest to a passenger.
What Went Wrong: The Investigation
Finding the Causes
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the crash. They found that the plane broke into several large pieces upon impact. The freezing water and the plane's breakup made it impossible for most people to survive.
The NTSB concluded that the main reasons for the crash were:
- The flight crew did not turn on the engine's anti-ice heaters while on the ground and during takeoff.
- They decided to take off even with snow and ice on the wings.
- The Captain did not stop the takeoff, even when the First Officer pointed out that the engine instruments were giving strange readings.
Other factors also played a part. These included the long delay on the ground after de-icing, which allowed more snow to build up. The design of the Boeing 737 also made it more sensitive to ice on its wings. Finally, the pilots had limited experience flying in winter conditions.
Lessons Learned and Lasting Tributes
Improving Flight Safety
The investigation into Air Florida Flight 90 led to important changes in pilot training rules. The accident became a key example for both air crews and rescue workers. It helped improve safety procedures for flying in cold and icy conditions.
See also
In Spanish: Vuelo 90 de Air Florida para niños
