Shortly after takeoff, Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 737 jet, crashes into Washington, D.C.'s 14th Street Bridge and falls into the Potomac River, killing 78 including four motorists.
The Tragic Downfall of Air Florida Flight 90
On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90, a scheduled U.S. domestic passenger service, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Washington National Airport, now known as Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The Boeing 737-222, bearing the registration N62AF, was destined for Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL), with an intended intermediate stop at Tampa International Airport (TPA). This devastating event unfolded during a severe winter storm, leading to one of the most thoroughly investigated and influential accidents in aviation history.
Crash Details and Immediate Impact
Moments after lifting off the runway, the aircraft encountered catastrophic difficulties, striking the 14th Street Bridge. This vital transportation artery carries Interstate 395 across the frozen Potomac River, connecting Washington, D.C., with Arlington County, Virginia. The impact was severe; the Boeing 737 collided with seven occupied vehicles on the bridge and obliterated approximately 97 feet (30 meters) of guard rail before plunging through the thick ice and into the frigid depths of the Potomac River.
The aircraft was carrying 74 passengers and five crew members. The sheer force of the crash and the immediate submersion into the icy water resulted in an immense loss of life. Only four passengers and one crew member, a flight attendant, managed to survive the initial impact and escape the wreckage. Tragically, four motorists on the 14th Street Bridge were also killed due to the aircraft's impact. In total, 78 individuals perished in the disaster.
Heroic Rescues Amidst the Chaos
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, remarkable acts of bravery and selflessness unfolded. Several civilian bystanders, alongside professional emergency responders, plunged into the perilous, ice-choked river to rescue the survivors. Notable heroes included Roger Olian, Gene Donovan, and Donald Usher and Melvin Windsor (pilots of the U.S. Park Police helicopter "Eagle One"), who utilized a life ring to pull survivors from the water. Perhaps the most poignant act of heroism was that of Arland D. Williams, Jr., one of the five original survivors. He repeatedly passed the life ring to others before succumbing to the icy conditions and drowning before he could be rescued himself. His extraordinary sacrifice captured the nation's attention, and he was posthumously honored for his unparalleled courage.
The swift and courageous response of these individuals was nationally recognized. Just days after the disaster, during his State of the Union speech on January 26, 1982, President Ronald Reagan publicly commended these heroic efforts, emphasizing the spirit of community and compassion that emerged from the tragedy.
NTSB Investigation and Findings: Understanding the Cause
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the independent U.S. government agency responsible for civil aviation accident investigation, launched an exhaustive inquiry into the Air Florida Flight 90 crash. Their comprehensive investigation definitively determined that the probable cause of the accident was a culmination of critical pilot errors and misjudgments in adverse winter conditions. The NTSB's findings highlighted several key procedural and operational failures:
- Failure to Activate Engine Anti-Ice Systems: Despite freezing temperatures and visible snow, the flight crew neglected to switch on the engines' internal ice protection systems. These systems are crucial for preventing ice accretion in the engine's intake, which can lead to erroneous thrust readings and reduced engine performance.
- Improper Use of Reverse Thrust: Prior to takeoff, in an attempt to de-ice the aircraft, the pilots briefly engaged the engine's reverse thrust. This maneuver is not an approved or effective method for de-icing an aircraft and likely contributed to the accumulation of ice and snow on critical airfoils by blowing slush forward onto the wings and engine inlets.
- Attempted Jet Blast De-Icing: The crew attempted to position their aircraft behind another jet to use its exhaust blast for de-icing. This tactic is largely ineffective and can potentially worsen icing conditions by blowing cold, moist air onto the aircraft.
- Failure to Abort Takeoff: Critically, the pilots did not abandon the takeoff sequence even after observing clear indications of a power problem. During the taxi and takeoff roll, they noted unusually low engine pressure ratio (EPR) readings, indicating insufficient thrust. This was compounded by visible ice and snow accumulating on the wings, which severely compromises a wing's ability to generate lift and increases drag. Standard operating procedures require an immediate abort if such anomalies are detected.
The accumulation of ice and snow on the wings fundamentally altered the airfoil's aerodynamic properties, drastically reducing the lift capability and increasing drag. Combined with a significant reduction in engine thrust due to the icing, the aircraft was unable to achieve sufficient airspeed and lift to maintain controlled flight, leading directly to the catastrophic stall and impact.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Florida Flight 90
- What was Air Florida Flight 90?
- Air Florida Flight 90 was a scheduled U.S. domestic passenger flight from Washington National Airport (now Reagan National) to Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, with an intermediate stop in Tampa, that tragically crashed shortly after takeoff on January 13, 1982.
- What caused the Air Florida Flight 90 crash?
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined the primary cause to be pilot error, specifically the flight crew's failure to activate engine anti-ice systems, improper de-icing attempts, and neglecting to abort takeoff despite clear indications of insufficient engine thrust and ice/snow accumulation on the wings.
- How many people died in the Air Florida Flight 90 crash?
- A total of 78 people died in the crash: 74 of the 79 occupants aboard the Boeing 737 (74 passengers and 5 crew members), and 4 motorists on the 14th Street Bridge.
- Who was Arland D. Williams, Jr.?
- Arland D. Williams, Jr. was a passenger on Air Florida Flight 90 who survived the initial impact but selflessly helped rescue other survivors by repeatedly passing the lifeline to them before he succumbed to the freezing conditions and drowned. He is widely remembered for his heroism.
- What is the NTSB's role in aviation accidents?
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent U.S. government agency charged with investigating civil aviation accidents and significant transportation incidents. Its primary goal is to determine the probable cause of accidents and issue safety recommendations to prevent similar events from occurring in the future.