On a frigid January afternoon in 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 was set to depart from Washington D.C.’s Reagan Airport, bound for sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida. However, unbeknownst to the 79 passengers and five crew members onboard, this flight would soon devolve into a catastrophic reminder of the dangers inherent in aviation during winter weather.
With a massive snowstorm wreaking havoc across the east coast, the flight's pilots struggled against icy conditions, ultimately leading to a devastating crash into the Potomac River. This article chronicles the harrowing events that transpired, the missteps made by the flight crew, and the lessons learned from this tragic incident.
At the helm of Flight 90 was Captain Larry Wheaton, a 34-year-old pilot with an extensive flight record of over 8,000 hours, mostly in warmer climates. However, his recent history told a contrasting story. Just two years prior, Wheaton had been suspended for deficiencies in key flying skills, and he had recently struggled with proficiency evaluations. This checkered history positioned him awkwardly for the challenging conditions he was about to face.
First Officer Roger Pettit, a 31-year-old with nearly 3,500 flying hours largely obtained from his time flying F-15s in the Air Force, complemented the captain's experience with his wit and skill. However, like Wheaton, he lacked significant experience flying in cold weather, with only two relevant flights under his belt. The duo, largely unprepared for the imminent storm, faced an uphill battle as they boarded the Boeing 737-200.
Winter weather poses unique challenges for aircraft, with icy conditions being particularly perilous. Snow buildup on wings can significantly impair flight capability by altering the wing’s shape, adversely affecting lift. When it was time to de-ice, Wheaton made what initially seemed to be a sensible decision by having the plane de-iced twice in order to minimize ice buildup prior to takeoff.
However, as the waiting continued, the effectiveness of the de-icing fluid wore off. When a tug was unable to move the plane back due to traction issues on the snow-covered ramp, Wheaton made a fateful choice: he instructed the crew to use reverse thrust from the engines to push the aircraft back. This reckless maneuver had the unintended effect of directing slush and melted snow onto the wings, where it would later freeze.
Despite warnings from ground personnel, Wheaton’s judgment towards the situation would prove consequential in the moments to come. The struggles experienced during pushback foreshadowed the many challenges faced during the flight.
As Flight 90 moved forward in the takeoff queue, the cabin was lively, with crew members unaware of the dangers looming ahead. Time passed, and despite Pettit's concerns about icing on the wings, the pressures of air traffic control mounted as the plane became next in line for takeoff.
During the crucial final preparations, the pilots failed to activate the engine anti-ice system—a critical step in winter conditions. This oversight exacerbated the issues caused by prior decisions and meant that ice continued to form within the engine sensors, leading to erroneous readings that were not conducive to safe takeoff.
As the aircraft finally positioned on the runway, frantic efforts were made to take off despite the ice and erratic engine readings suggesting otherwise. With the pressure from air traffic control, and believing they'd waited long enough despite the misgivings, the captain gave the command to take off.
However, the aircraft struggled to maintain speed and lift due to ice accumulation. As the plane reached rotation speed, both pilots fought desperately to gain control. The environment inside the cockpit was tense; Wheaton and Pettit faced a dangerous proposition against time, with a landing aircraft closing in behind them.
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.
As a direct consequence of this incident, the aviation industry saw transformative changes in the protocols for winter weather operations. Crew training on icing conditions became more comprehensive, airports implemented de-icing systems closer to runways, and new, more effective de-icing materials were developed.
Changes in attitude towards winter flying emerged, cultivating an environment of increased respect and caution among pilots and ground crews alike. While Air Florida Flight 90 remains a cautionary tale, safety improvements ushered in after the tragedy have contributed to a significant decrease in weather-related aviation accidents.
The events surrounding Air Florida Flight 90 serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of proper training, communication, and adherence to safety regulations—particularly in adverse weather conditions. As winter approaches and air travel intensifies, the lessons learned from 1982 remain relevant today, ensuring that lives are safeguarded against the unpredictability of nature.
Part 1/10:
The Tragic Tale of Air Florida Flight 90
Introduction
On a frigid January afternoon in 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 was set to depart from Washington D.C.’s Reagan Airport, bound for sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida. However, unbeknownst to the 79 passengers and five crew members onboard, this flight would soon devolve into a catastrophic reminder of the dangers inherent in aviation during winter weather.
With a massive snowstorm wreaking havoc across the east coast, the flight's pilots struggled against icy conditions, ultimately leading to a devastating crash into the Potomac River. This article chronicles the harrowing events that transpired, the missteps made by the flight crew, and the lessons learned from this tragic incident.
The Flight Crew's Background
Part 2/10:
At the helm of Flight 90 was Captain Larry Wheaton, a 34-year-old pilot with an extensive flight record of over 8,000 hours, mostly in warmer climates. However, his recent history told a contrasting story. Just two years prior, Wheaton had been suspended for deficiencies in key flying skills, and he had recently struggled with proficiency evaluations. This checkered history positioned him awkwardly for the challenging conditions he was about to face.
Part 3/10:
First Officer Roger Pettit, a 31-year-old with nearly 3,500 flying hours largely obtained from his time flying F-15s in the Air Force, complemented the captain's experience with his wit and skill. However, like Wheaton, he lacked significant experience flying in cold weather, with only two relevant flights under his belt. The duo, largely unprepared for the imminent storm, faced an uphill battle as they boarded the Boeing 737-200.
Preparations Against Winter Weather
Part 4/10:
Winter weather poses unique challenges for aircraft, with icy conditions being particularly perilous. Snow buildup on wings can significantly impair flight capability by altering the wing’s shape, adversely affecting lift. When it was time to de-ice, Wheaton made what initially seemed to be a sensible decision by having the plane de-iced twice in order to minimize ice buildup prior to takeoff.
Part 5/10:
However, as the waiting continued, the effectiveness of the de-icing fluid wore off. When a tug was unable to move the plane back due to traction issues on the snow-covered ramp, Wheaton made a fateful choice: he instructed the crew to use reverse thrust from the engines to push the aircraft back. This reckless maneuver had the unintended effect of directing slush and melted snow onto the wings, where it would later freeze.
Despite warnings from ground personnel, Wheaton’s judgment towards the situation would prove consequential in the moments to come. The struggles experienced during pushback foreshadowed the many challenges faced during the flight.
The Takeoff Attempt
Part 6/10:
As Flight 90 moved forward in the takeoff queue, the cabin was lively, with crew members unaware of the dangers looming ahead. Time passed, and despite Pettit's concerns about icing on the wings, the pressures of air traffic control mounted as the plane became next in line for takeoff.
During the crucial final preparations, the pilots failed to activate the engine anti-ice system—a critical step in winter conditions. This oversight exacerbated the issues caused by prior decisions and meant that ice continued to form within the engine sensors, leading to erroneous readings that were not conducive to safe takeoff.
Race Against Time
Part 7/10:
As the aircraft finally positioned on the runway, frantic efforts were made to take off despite the ice and erratic engine readings suggesting otherwise. With the pressure from air traffic control, and believing they'd waited long enough despite the misgivings, the captain gave the command to take off.
However, the aircraft struggled to maintain speed and lift due to ice accumulation. As the plane reached rotation speed, both pilots fought desperately to gain control. The environment inside the cockpit was tense; Wheaton and Pettit faced a dangerous proposition against time, with a landing aircraft closing in behind them.
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.
Part 9/10:
As a direct consequence of this incident, the aviation industry saw transformative changes in the protocols for winter weather operations. Crew training on icing conditions became more comprehensive, airports implemented de-icing systems closer to runways, and new, more effective de-icing materials were developed.
Changes in attitude towards winter flying emerged, cultivating an environment of increased respect and caution among pilots and ground crews alike. While Air Florida Flight 90 remains a cautionary tale, safety improvements ushered in after the tragedy have contributed to a significant decrease in weather-related aviation accidents.
Conclusion
Part 10/10:
The events surrounding Air Florida Flight 90 serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of proper training, communication, and adherence to safety regulations—particularly in adverse weather conditions. As winter approaches and air travel intensifies, the lessons learned from 1982 remain relevant today, ensuring that lives are safeguarded against the unpredictability of nature.