Part 8/10:
In a catastrophic split-second decision, they opted to take off, not realizing the strain and challenge that the ice posed. The flight took off but only managed a perilous climb before succumbing to gravity—striking the 14th Street Bridge and crashing into the icy waters of the Potomac River.
The Aftermath and Lessons Learned
In the aftermath of this tragic event, rescuers found only six survivors, and ultimately just five would live. A total of 74 lives were lost, including four motorists on the bridge. Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board attributed the crash to a combination of inadequate training regarding winter operations and the erroneous decisions of the pilots, particularly Captain Wheaton’s actions and lack of adherence to safety protocols.