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The Continental Express Flight 2574 Tragedy: Lessons in Aviation Safety
On September 11, 1991, a tragic aviation incident occurred involving Continental Express Flight 2574, an Embraer 120 Brasília. This accident not only resulted in the loss of all 15 lives on board but also prompted major changes in airline maintenance protocols and safety regulations.
Flight Overview
Flight 2574 took off from Laredo, Texas, at 9 AM, destined for Houston. The aircraft was piloted by Commander Brad Partridge and Co-Pilot Clint Rodol. The flight proceeded normally until the crew was instructed to descend to 9,000 feet around 10:03 AM. Subsequently, the Brasília entered an uncontrollable dive and crashed approximately 104 kilometers from Houston Airport, disintegrating upon impact in a cornfield.