Air Florida Flight 90: What happened when plane crashed into DC's Potomac River in 1982? | FOX 35 Orlando

Air Florida Flight 90: What happened when plane crashed into DC's Potomac River in 1982?

Several federal and state investigations have been launched after an American Airlines flight and a military helicopter collided near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and fell into the Potomac River, killing all 64 people aboard the flight and all three people aboard the helicopter.

The flight departed Wichita, Kansas, and onboard were several members of the figure skating community, who were in Kansas for a training development camp, officials have said.

News of the crash has drawn interest in a 1982 crash involving a passenger plane departing Reagan Washington National Airport that struck a bridge and fell into the Potomac River. That crash led to safety changes at the FAA.

(Original Caption) Washington, DC, Potomac River. Fuselage of plane from crash on Air Florida's flight 90.

The crash of Air Florida Flight 90, Jan. 13, 1982

The backstory:

On Jan. 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 727-200 series, departed from Reagan Washington National Airport in D.C. en route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a planned stop in Tampa, and crashed shortly after takeoff. The airplane crashed into the 14th Street Bridge and then fell into the icy Potomac River.

According to the FAA report, the plane had trouble climbing after departing the runway. The plane rotated, stalled, and then struck the bridge, which connected Arlington, Virginia to Washington D.C.

By the numbers:

According to the FAA, 70 of the 74 people aboard Air Florida Flight 90 died, along with four of the five crew members. Four people on the 14th Street Bridge were also killed, the FAA said. Several others were hurt.

What happened?

Dig deeper:

According to the FAA, Air Florida Flight 90 was originally supposed to depart at 2:15 p.m., but due to snowy conditions at the airport, DCA closed at 1:38 p.m. and did not reopen until 2:53 p.m.

Air Florida Flight 90 was delayed about an hour and 45 minutes, which caused snow to accumulate on the airplane. The plane had undergone partial deicing before the airport closed, which was requested to resume after it opened. It was also heavily snowing, according to the FAA.

"Loss of control was determined to be due to reduction in aerodynamic lift resulting from ice and snow that had accumulated on the airplane's wings during prolonged ground operation at National Airport. Contributing to the airplane's poor takeoff performance was a significant engine thrust shortfall believed to be due to anomalous engine thrust indications on both engines caused by engine pressure ratio (EPR) Pt2 probes which were believed to have been plugged with snow and ice during ground operation," the FAA said.

According to The Miami Herald, Air Florida launched as a "commuter company" and eventually expanded to a full-service airline in the 1970s and 80s, flying to the Northeast and Europe. However, shortly after the crash, it ran into financial issues, declared bankruptcy, and was eventually bought by another airline.

Air Florida's planes were known for their orange, blue, and green color schemes, as the large "AF" on the plane's tails.

Crash investigation leads to safety initiatives

Big picture view:

According to the FAA, the lessons learned from the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 led to "significant advances in the safety of winter weather operations" when it came to airplanes and flights.

Below are the following lessons from the FAA:

  • AC 20-117, "Hazards Following Ground Deicing and Ground Operations in Conditions Conducive to Aircraft Icing." This AC was issued immediately following the accident in order to emphasize the "Clean Aircraft" concept. Although a clean aircraft was a requirement at the time of the accident (14 CFR 121.629), this AC highlighted the importance of adhering to the concept and focused attention on the areas particularly sensitive to snow or ice contamination.
  • AC 120-58, "Pilot Guide: Large Aircraft Ground Deicing." This AC was issued to provide recommendations to flight crews to ensure safe operation of aircraft during icing conditions and developing adequate procedures for deicing aircraft.
  • AC 120-60, "Ground Deicing and Anti-Icing Program." This AC was issued to standardize the application and training programs associated with ground de-icing and anti-icing programs in support of 14 CFR 121.629.
  • AC 150/5200-30A, "Airport Winter and Safety Operations." This AC was issued to provide guidance to airport operators on snow removal practices, airplane deicing operations, field condition reporting procedures, and related topics.
  • AC 150/5300-14, "Design of Airport Deicing Facilities." This AC was issued to provide guidance to airport operators on the features, performance, use, and training associated with airport deicing facilities.

American Airlines Flight 5342: Latest news and updates

The Source: Information in this story came from the FAA's investigative summary on Air Florida Flight 90 and reporting from the Miami Herald, as well as current press conferences, updates, news releases, and reporting from FOX 5 DC teams on the crash of American Airlines Flight 5342.

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