DC Plane Tragedy Recalls A Crash In The Same River That Killed 74 Passengers 42 Years Ago!

By Kushani Gunathilaka
January 31, 2025
10:55 GMT-0830
DC Plane Tragedy Recalls A Crash In The Same River That Killed 74 Passengers 42 Years Ago!

A tragic mid-air collision over Washington, D.C., has left authorities searching for answers. On Wednesday night, an American Airlines regional jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River. The river was the site of another devastating aviation disaster 42 years ago.

In January 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 struck the 14th Street Bridge before plunging into the icy Potomac, killing 78 people. Now, history seems to have repeated itself in an eerie and heartbreaking way.


Air Florida Flight 90’s Crash in 1982

The 1982 Disaster

On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 was scheduled to fly from Washington National Airport (now Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a stop in Tampa. However, a series of errors by the flight crew led to disaster shortly after takeoff.

Due to heavy snowfall, Washington National Airport had been temporarily closed earlier that day. When it reopened, departing flights faced severe winter conditions. The Boeing 737 200 struggled to take off, and within seconds of becoming airborne, it stalled, lost altitude, and crashed into the 14th Street Bridge. The plane hit seven occupied vehicles, killing four motorists before falling into the icy Potomac River.

There were 79 people onboard, including five crew members. Seventy-four passengers and crew, along with four motorists, were killed. Only five people survived.


Image source: NBC 6 South Florida

Weather and Conditions

The 1982 crash happened during a snowstorm with temperatures at 24°F (-4°C). The Potomac River was covered in ice, making rescue efforts incredibly difficult.

Washington National Airport had been closed earlier that day due to a 6.5-inch snowfall, causing flight delays. When it reopened, planes were departing under marginal conditions, and Flight 90 was among them.


Survivors and the Heroic Rescue

Despite the tragedy, the 1982 crash became known for its incredible acts of heroism.

  • Five people survived the impact but were stranded in the ice-filled river.
  • Lenny Skutnik, a passerby, jumped into the freezing water to save a drowning passenger, Priscilla Tirado.
  • A U.S. Park Police helicopter crew, led by pilot Donald W. Usher and paramedic Melvin E. Windsor, risked their lives pulling survivors from the ice-choked river.
  • Arland D. Williams Jr., a passenger, repeatedly passed the rescue rope to others before drowning himself.

The dramatic rescue was widely covered by the media. President Ronald Reagan honored the rescuers in his State of the Union address, calling attention to their bravery. In memory of Williams’ sacrifice, the bridge where the plane struck was renamed the Arland D. Williams Jr. Memorial Bridge.

The Helicopter Rescue

When the U.S. Park Police helicopter, Eagle 1, arrived at the scene, survivors were clinging to debris in the ice-covered river. The pilot and paramedic lowered lifelines to the stranded passengers.

  • Bert Hamilton was the first to be pulled to shore.
  • Flight attendant Kelly Duncan was saved next after passenger Arland D. Williams Jr. gave up his chance to be rescued.
  • Joe Stiley, Priscilla Tirado, and Nikki Felch were pulled together, but both women slipped from the lifeline and fell back into the water.
  • Seeing this, Lenny Skutnik jumped in to save Tirado, while paramedic Gene Windsor grabbed Felch from the water.

Unfortunately, by the time rescuers returned for Williams, he had slipped underwater and drowned. The bridge where the plane struck was later renamed the Arland D. Williams Jr. Memorial Bridge in his honor.


What Went Wrong in 1982?

Pilot Errors and Poor Decisions

Investigations into the 1982 crash revealed multiple human errors:

  • The pilots failed to properly de-ice the plane before takeoff.
  • They ignored warning signs about ice buildup on the wings and incorrect engine readings.
  • Despite knowing about the icing conditions, they did not activate the engine anti-ice system.
Image source: Washington post

Technical and Safety Failures

  • The de-icing fluid used on the aircraft was improperly mixed, making it less effective.
  • The pilots tried to use the jet exhaust from a DC-9 in front of them to melt ice on their wings, which backfired. Instead of removing the ice, it caused a slush mixture to freeze on the wings, further reducing the plane’s ability to lift off.
  • The captain dismissed the co-pilot’s concerns about abnormal instrument readings and continued with the takeoff.

During the takeoff roll, the co-pilot expressed doubt about the plane’s power levels multiple times:

  • “God, look at that thing. That don’t seem right, does it? Ah, that’s not right.”
  • “I don’t know.”
  • “Larry, we’re going down, Larry….”

Seconds later, the aircraft stalled and crashed.


Aftermath and Investigations

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) blamed the crash on pilot error and inadequate de-icing procedures.

As a result, major changes were made to airline winter flight safety protocols:

  • Stricter de-icing procedures were introduced.
  • Pilots were trained to identify and react to icing conditions more effectively.
  • Airlines improved crew coordination and communication training to prevent cockpit conflicts like the one seen on Flight 90.

Overview of The Crash In January 2025

Late Wednesday night, an American Airlines regional jet, carrying 64 people, was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The helicopter had three soldiers on board and was on a routine training flight.

Authorities have shifted from a search-and-rescue mission to a recovery operation, as no survivors are expected. Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly confirmed that rescue efforts were no longer viable, stating, “We are now in recovery mode.”

This devastating incident brings back memories of another aviation disaster in the same river. On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge and fell into the frozen Potomac River, killing most of the passengers and crew. The similarity between the two events is haunting—two separate aviation tragedies, occurring at the same site and in nearly the same month, decades apart.

Conclusion

The similarities between the 1982 Air Florida crash and the 2024 American Airlines tragedy are chilling. Both incidents occurred over the Potomac River, involved passenger aircraft, and led to mass casualties.

The 1982 crash resulted in sweeping changes to flight safety. Now, investigators will once again look for ways to prevent another disaster like this from happening.

As families grieve, the world watches for answers—hoping that this latest tragedy will not be forgotten, but instead serve as a wake-up call for further advancements in aviation safety.

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