Type-Rated From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 3661 posts, RR: 23 Posted (2 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 2294 times:
It was 28 years ago today since Air Florida Flight 90 (Palm 90) hit the 14th street bridge while taking off from DCA with a loss of 74 individuals. This accident was a case of pilot error that had reprocussions in the industry. I believe that only three survivors are left today.
Fly North Central Airlines..The route of the Northliners!
Transpac787 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3063 posts, RR: 17 Reply 1, posted (2 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 2262 times:
Quoting Type-Rated (Thread starter): This accident was a case of pilot error that had reprocussions in the industry.
And to the complete contrary, the pilots of the police helicopter to make it on scene for the rescue had God-like nerves of steel.
My personal greatest respect for that crew came from the pictures of the JetRanger getting so low to pull the survivors out that its skids were partially submerged...
Type-Rated From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 3661 posts, RR: 23 Reply 2, posted (2 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 2260 times:
Agreed, that helicopter crew had some courage, didn't they?
Fly North Central Airlines..The route of the Northliners!
LTBEWR From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 11685 posts, RR: 8 Reply 3, posted (2 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 2233 times:
A terrible accident with several historical connections. It was probably one of the first aircraft accidents where TV, mainly local TV and the then new CNN showed live pictures nationwide of the attempted rescues and the affects of the accident. It also led to major changes in deicing requirements, changes of operations of aircraft and DCA and like airports in icing conditions. It also led to the demise of Air Florida. That a few survived in terrible conditions is stunning, that some acted with extraordinary bravery to do that, is an important comment on how humans really can be at their best.
MadDogJT8D From United States of America, joined Oct 2009, 282 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (2 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2134 times:
IIRC There was were also several civilian heroes who were bystanders and went in to the freezing water to help survivors. A sad story and the crash certainly was avoidable, but the stories of bravery and heroism are inspiring.
Spacecadet From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 2901 posts, RR: 16 Reply 5, posted (2 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2081 times:
Quoting MadDogJT8D (Reply 4): IIRC There was were also several civilian heroes who were bystanders and went in to the freezing water to help survivors.
At least two guys tried, and both should be commended for that, but only one of them actually succeeded. Lenny Skutnick saved Priscilla Tirado by jumping in and dragging her through the water to shore when it became clear that she was both blinded and in shock, and was unable to grab the life preserver that was thrown to her. Roger Olian also tried to save the people in the middle of the river but he couldn't make it to them.
Of course, Roger Olian probably could have done the same thing Lenny Skutnick did if the timing had been different.
This is one of the first crashes I can vividly remember the TV coverage of, and I do think I watched the rescue live. For that reason, I'm always amazed when I see how long ago it was - it does not feel like 28 years ago, it feels like I watched it yesterday. I'm always amazed (in a bad way) when I hear that CVR tape, and the lack of professionalism and proper procedures in that cockpit that ended up costing so many lives.
I'm tired of being a wanna-be league bowler. I wanna be a league bowler!
JMackey From United States of America, joined Apr 2009, 294 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (2 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2049 times:
A disgusting event that should never had happened.
God bless the souls of Arland Williams, Jr., Bert Hamilton, Patricia Felch, Marilyn Nichols, Donna Adams and the remaining 67 souls on board.
The only solace one can feel in this is that an amazing rescue was put on by paid professionals and selfless heroes, together.
Brons2 From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 2924 posts, RR: 5 Reply 7, posted (2 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 1983 times:
I've read that they might have made it, had the pilots bothered to firewall the throttles at any point. Is this true?
Firings, if well done, are good for employee morale.
Type-Rated From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 3661 posts, RR: 23 Reply 8, posted (2 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 1909 times:
Quoting Brons2 (Reply 7): I've read that they might have made it, had the pilots bothered to firewall the throttles at any point. Is this true?
I think that if they firewalled the throttles during their takeoff run they could have made it, but
since they only reached an altitude of 362 feet before stalling how long would it have taken the engines to spool up to full power? Did they have the altitude/time?
Fly North Central Airlines..The route of the Northliners!
JMackey From United States of America, joined Apr 2009, 294 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (2 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 1674 times:
Many thanks to Type-Rated for posting this link in their honor.
Airtechy From United States of America, joined Dec 2006, 240 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (2 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 1637 times:
The engines were already producing a reasonable amount of power, so spoolup time would have been very quick. Accelerating the airplane with the additional power quickly would probably have been the bigger question. Lift follows speed...follows power added.
Swmdal From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 36 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (2 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 1566 times:
No doubt one of the more preventable accidents in the history of commercial aviation, with a long error chain.
By coincidence, the Washington Metro had its first fatal subway accident that same afternoon on the Red Line. Between the snow, the accident-related road closures, and the Metro shutdown, DC experienced gridlock probably not matched until 9/11.
Emaman From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2008, 86 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (2 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 1481 times:
I would only have been 18 months old at the time, but have watched it many times on tv. Have also seen the 14th st bridge site.
Difficult to imagine jumping in to the river in those conditions, but true acts of bravery and selflessness that at least helped to save 4 people.
Although same can be said of a lot of air disasters this was one landmark disaster that helped to shape aviation safety and the give us the benefit of what we have today. A lot of lessons were learned.
Aaron747 From Japan, joined Aug 2003, 7286 posts, RR: 26 Reply 13, posted (2 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 1472 times:
One still shakes their head reading through the CVR transcript of Palm 90. In fact the more often one reads it the easier it is to be offended by the sheer overconfidence and distraction of the crew in weather conditions that demanded due attention. It sure would have been nice for the other souls on board if they'd been keeping track of their bird's condition instead of mocking the appearance of other aircraft
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