As the takeoff roll began, the first officer noted several times to the captain that the instrument panel readings he was seeing did not seem to reflect reality (he was referring to the fact that the plane did not appear to have developed as much power as it needed for takeoff, despite the instruments indicating otherwise). To speak of one thing is to suppress another.Lisel Mueller (b. Her most vivid memories of the crash and aftermath are of panic, and then of praying for the first time in her life. The 737 had broken into several large pieces upon impact the nose and cockpit section, the cabin up to the wing attachment point, the cabin from behind the wings to the rear airstairs, and the empennage. The NTSB concluded that the accident was not survivable. He was the first to jump into the water to attempt to reach the survivors. Aug. 5, 2002 -- It's been more than 20 years since Air Florida Flight 90 took off from National Airport and crashed onto a bridge in downtown Washington, then plunged into the icy waters of the Potomac River. Lennie Skutnik jumped into the freezing water to pull her to shore as television cameras recorded the heart-stopping drama. Another survivor, Priscilla Tirado, moved to Florida and has been reluctant to talk about the crash. The 14th Street Bridge that. WASHINGTON D.C. - NOVEMBER 15: (NO U.S. TABLOID SALES) Air Florida Flight 90 survivors Priscilla Tirado(L) and Lenny Skutnik(R) pose for a photo on November 15, 1982 in Washington, DC. Duncan was a flight attendant aboard Air Florida Flight 90 when it hit the 14th Street Bridge and crashed into the river on January 13, 1982. Hamilton, who started an Amway business four years ago, recalls the first jet he boarded after the accident. [4]:61. [21], Civilians Roger Olian and Lenny Skutnik received the Coast Guard's Gold Lifesaving Medal. The exhaust gases from the other aircraft melted the snow on the wings, but during takeoff, instead of falling off the plane, this slush mixture froze on the wings' leading edges and the engine inlet nose cone. There was a much smaller one many years before and less serious (tell that to the people on that planelol). [27], Disagreement arose over whether the Air Florida crash was a significant factor in the company's failure. Typical of upstart, low-cost carriers, Air Florida frequently hired youthful pilots who worked for less money than veterans, and were for the most part seeking to gain flight experience prior to joining a major airline. Kelly Moore became a devout Christian. Initially, there was a sixth survivor that day46 year old Arland D. Williams Jr. Williams was trapped in his seat in the partially submerged rear section of the plane by a jammed seat belt. Though the helicopters lifeline came to him several times, he passed it to other survivors. Just five people escaped. [4]:1 It fell between two of the three spans of the bridge, between the I-395 northbound span (the Rochambeau Bridge) and the HOV north- and southbound spans, about 200ft (61m) offshore. The rest of the plane slammed into west side of the bridge and sank into 25 to 30 feet of water between the 14th Street Bridge and the George Mason Memorial Bridge. The early rush hour also meant that trains on the Washington Metro were full when just 30 minutes after Flight 90 crashed, the Metro suffered its first fatal crash, at Federal Triangle station. The first flight was nerve-wracking, but she found solace in religion. Stiley's co-worker, Nikki Felch, took the second line. *, Your email address will not be published. Of the motorists on the bridge involved:[4]:10. Critical Rescue has also dedicated an entire episode to the heroes of the disaster. At the same time, several military personnel from the Pentagon - Steve Raynes, Aldo De La Cruz and Steve Bell - ran down to the water's edge to help Olian. [4]:59. I want to celebrate these elms which have been spared by the plague, these survivors of a once flourishing tribe commemorated by all the Elm Streets in America. The display includes the U.S. Park Police helicopter involved in the rescue of Flight 90's survivors. Many federal offices in downtown Washington had closed early that day in response to quickly developing blizzard conditions. On top of that, he was missing his sons 12th birthday in Manassas, Va. At the same time, several military personnel from the PentagonSteve Raynes, Aldo De La Cruz, and Steve Bellran down to the water's edge to help Olian. News media outlets followed the story with diligence. Fierce winter storm slams East with ice, snow; more could be coming, Sunday snow: More than 785 flights canceled; airlines waive fees, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. According to the affidavits, she said she had been drinking and smoking marijuana and crack, a potent form of cocaine. [4]:13 It reopened at noon under marginal conditions as the snowfall began to slacken. This meant that Washington's nearest airport, one of its main bridges in or out of the city, and one of its busiest subway lines were all closed simultaneously, paralyzing much of the metropolitan area. Cockpit tapes recovered later produced these chilling words from copilot Roger Alan Pettit as the aircraft stalled: "We're going down, Larry." I never knew that it actually had a name until nowor that it was named after an incredible man who gave his life so selflessly only a few feet from where thousands of commuters cross into DC every day. "She tends to keep to herself.". On two occasions, the crew recalled last night, he handed away a lifeline from the hovering machine that could have dragged him to safety. One of my favorite parts of the metro ride is crossing the bridge into the city. For the five survivors of Air Florida's crash into the 14th Street bridge and plunge into. Chester captured Lenny Skutnik's memorable plunge to pull Priscilla Tirado from the icy water. From the very first I felt confident that I could trust the great, friendly public. Give us this day our daily bread. 16:00:10 CAM-2 Naw, I don't think that's right. Flight 90 never got higher than a few hundred feet, and the pilots saw the crash coming. The National Transportation Safety Board report later noted that the cabin separated from the cockpit and broke into three large sections and many smaller pieces. None of the cabin floor remained intact; most seats were extensively damaged and separated from the floor. "After 10 years, we're beginning to wonder if this will ever work itself out," said Keefer, of Clearwater, Fla. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. . Joseph Stiley breaks into tears spontaneously. Tirado, Priscilla, 23, of Spain CONFIRMED DEAD Nine bodies thought to be from Flight 90 have been recovered from the Potomac River. "I wasn't looking for publicity," he said in a recent interview. They had been boarded between 2:00 and 2:30 pm. He was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his photography. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. 15:59:58 CAM-2 God, look at that thing. "I don't anymore.". She was the lone crew member to survive. [27] Paul Turk, the publications director of the aviation consultancy firm Avmark Inc., said that many airlines faced difficulties in the 1980s due to fare wars, a recession, and decline in travel, and that Air Florida had already faced increasing debt and financial losses prior to the crash. 'After he had been here a month Jose called me,' Keefer recalled today. Priscilla Tirado was too weak to grab the line when the helicopter returned to her. I pass by the same landmarks and historical places every single day, and I dont even know it. Military personnel from the Pentagon raced to the scene to help in rescues. President Ronald Reagan commended these acts during his State of the Union speech a few days later. At church, Kelly Duncan ended up meeting her future husband, John Moore, a professional tennis player in Miami. Collect, curate and comment on your files. I heard [anchor] David Hartman's voice saying Air Florida and it got my attention. Though I wish there was more recognition of the bridges true name, Im grateful I know it now. The right wing hit the bridge span first as the plane descended, leaving a trail of debris. She soon settled into the old rhythm and took it in stride when a passenger at National Airport asked her whether his ticket was correct and the flight listed was not destined for the 14th Street Bridge. This oversight was the first of many from the crew that contributed to the accident. It was depressing," she said Tuesday following her release from jail. Skip Navigation At great risk to themselves, the crew worked close to the water's surface, at one time coming so close to the ice-clogged river that the helicopter's skids went beneath the surface of the water. Arland Williams was one of six aboard the aircraft who initially survived. The engines' anti-ice heaters were not engaged during ground operation and takeoff. Seventy-eight. At the time of the accident, he had around 3,353 flight hours, 992 with Air Florida, all on the 737. Patricia Felch drives back roads to avoid the speed of superhighways. Around 4:20 pm[9] EST, Eagle 1, a United States Park Police Bell 206L-1 Long Ranger helicopter, based at the "Eagles Nest" at Anacostia Park in Washington, arrived and began attempting to airlift the survivors to shore. Air Florida Flight 90. The Weather during the Titanic Disaster: Looking Back 100 Years., Associated Press, Potomac Mystery Hero Identified,. "[27], The Discovery Channel Canada/National Geographic TV series Mayday (also called Air Crash Investigation or Air Emergency) dramatized the accident in an episode titled "Disaster on the Potomac" (aired in some countries as "Tragedy on the Potomac"). Partial blame was placed on the young, inexperienced flight crew, who had a combined age of only 65 and had begun their careers as commercial pilots less than five years earlier. He was promoted to captain in August 1980. Seventy-eight passengers, motorists and crew members died. When the plane became airborne, Stiley told his co-worker (and survivor) Nikki Felch to assume the crash position, with some nearby passengers following their example.[8]. The aircraft involved, a Boeing 737-222, registered as N62AF, was manufactured in 1969 and previously flown by United Airlines under the registration N9050U. The aircraft was powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A turbofan engines, and had flown over 27,000 hours before the crash. The crew continued to make mistakes throughout the taxiing process. The Capstan was considerably farther downriver on another search-and-rescue mission. Air Florida is gone. His divorce. The aircraft traveled almost half a mile (800 m) farther down the runway than is customary before liftoff was accomplished. It began as an intrastate operation, but soon expanded to the east coast and, eventually, international destinations. [27] Turk argued, "Air Florida would have folded without the crash". Stiley said he often feels odd when he isnt sure a memory is something he went through or saw on television. The coroner determined that he had drowned; the only victim of the crash to do so. Staff researcher Bridget Roeber contributed to this report. Four of the crew members (including both pilots) died. Custom Content. Aug. 5, 2002 -- It's been more than 20 years since Air Florida Flight 90 took off from National Airport and crashed onto a bridge in downtown Washington, then plunged into the icy waters of the Potomac River. Accompanied by their two-month-old son, they were en route to Tampa where Tirado was to go to work in the import-export company run by Mrs. Tirado's father. Beirne Keefer of Clearwater was waiting at Tampa International Airport for his daughter and her family when he learned of the crash. According to the coroner, Williams was the only passenger to die by drowning. Nineteen occupants were believed to have survived the impact, but their injuries prevented them from escaping. At least the next time I commute into the city I can reflect on his bravery instead of impending disaster. By the way, this is actually the 2nd crash at National. The report continued, the flight crews failure to turn on engine anti-ice was a direct cause of the accident and suggested the accident may have been avoided had the crew turned it on. Bystander Lenny Skutnik, a Congressional Budget Office assistant whotore off his coat and cowboy boots and plunged into the Potomac,was able to tow onepassenger, Priscilla Tirado, to shore. The pilot apparently decided not to return to the gate for reapplication of deicing, fearing that the flight's departure would be even further delayed. All anyone could do was tell the survivors was to hold on not to give up hope. After leaving the gate, the aircraft waited in a taxi line with many other aircraft for 49 minutes before reaching the takeoff runway. Roger Olian and Lenny Skutnik, who were watching from the Virginia shore, braved death by hypothermia to try to save lives. While running through the takeoff checklist, the following conversation snippet took place (CAM-1 is the captain, CAM-2 is the first officer): Despite the icing conditions with weather temperature of about 24F (-4C), the crew failed to activate the engine anti-ice systems,[6] which caused the engine pressure ratio (EPR) thrust indicators to provide false readings. A few times, if I was lucky, I could catch a plane roaring right over me, headed either to some unknown destination in the clouds or coming in for a landing at National Airport. 16:00:48 CAM-1 Come on forward.forward, just barely climb. no one from the front of the plane survived. In an interview after the crash, Duncan said, My next feeling was that I was just floating through white and I felt like I was dying and I just thought Im not really ready to die. She, along with Stiley and Hamilton, were rescued from a lifeline thrown from a helicopter. First to receive the line was Bert Hamilton, who was treading water about ten feet from the plane's floating tail. Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Air Florida, Inc., Boeing 737-222, N62AF, Collision with 14th Street Bridge near Washington National Airport, Washington, D.C., January 13, 1982", "AirDisaster.Com: Special Report: Air Florida Flight 90", "Air Florida disaster still chilling 27 years later", "Emergency Services Reacted Quickly to Jetliner's Crash", "A look back to another river crash. Though the outside temperature was well below freezing and snow was falling, the crew did not activate the engine anti-ice system. Ambulances attempting to reach the scene were even driven down the sidewalk in front of the White House. She and some friends drank their way down the Florida Keys the weekend before the accident. It began to descend after reaching between 200 and 300 feet. That agreement specified that covers for the pitot tubes, static ports, and engine inlets had to be used, but the American Airlines employees failed to comply with those rules. Flight attendant Kelly Duncan, the only crew members to survive, said the crash seemed unreal. The anniversary always brings an extra emotional wrench to their lives, survivors said. [23], Roger Olian, Lenny Skutnik, Donald Usher, and Melvin Windsor each received the Carnegie Hero Fund Medal. All charges were later dismissed. Moore said she overcame a long-term feeling of guilt for having survived while others died. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. More people arrived near the shore from the bridge, but nobody could do anything. The smell of jet fuel was everywhere, and you could smell it on your clothes. "I just couldn't hold back anymore.". . CLEARWATER, FLA., JAN. 14 -- A woman who survived the 1982 Air Florida crash in the District of Columbia that claimed her husband and infant son was arrested on alcohol and drug charges on the fifth anniversary of that tragedy. ', "Mattoon school honors hero: Arland D. Williams sacrificed himself to save others after 1982 plane crash", "Three decades of 'Skutniks' began with a federal employee", "Search Awardees, Carnegie Hero Award (year: 1982 act performed: water w/ice (Olian), exposure to natural elements (Skutnik, Usher, Windsor)", "A Crash's Improbable Impact: '82 Air Florida Tragedy Led To Broad Safety Reforms", Air Florida disaster still chilling 27 years later, "Anatomy of a Stroke: The Case of Eli Timoner", "Last Man in the Water: Story and Lyrics", AirDisaster.Com Special Report: Air Florida Flight 90, Roads to the Future website - 14th Street Bridge, the Air Florida Crash, and Subway Disaster, Cockpit voice recording transcript for the crash of Air Florida Flight 90, "The 30th anniversary of the Air Florida plane crash", "Why Did This Flight Crash? Williams' mother, Virginia, wrote to President Ronald Reagan, asking that her son be named as the hero. The pilots failed to switch on the engines' internal ice protection systems, used reverse thrust in a snowstorm prior to takeoff, tried to use the jet exhaust of a plane in front of them to melt their ice, and failed to abandon the takeoff even after detecting a power problem while taxiing and having ice and snow build up on the wings. At 4:01pm EST, it crashed into the 14th Street Bridge across the Potomac River, 0.75nmi (1,390m) from the end of the runway. Jan. 13, 1982, hada second reason to be a dark day inWashington, D.C., history: About 30 minutes after the Air Florida incident, a subway train derailment in the heart of downtown led to the deaths of three passengers, the first fatalities involving the city's Metro system. Ive got a weird fascination with planesIve got a pretty healthy flying phobia, but I love to look at them. Seventy-eight people, including four who were in their cars on the. He was the first to jump into the water to attempt to reach the survivors. Four motorists on the bridge were killed. "I remember thinking to myself at the time: I wonder what I'll be doing 10 years from now," she said. The pilot moved him across the ice while avoiding the sides of the bridge. A lot of people were going to lose their jobs, Stiley said. As the helicopter pulled the three through the water and blocks of ice toward shore, both Tirado and Felch lost their grip and fell back into the water. Replied pilot Larry Wheaton: "I know it.". The helicopter crew lowered a line to survivors to tow them to shore. This past spring, two of the five survivors died of natural causes. That had become a stale joke. At the time of the accident, he had about 8,300 total flight hours, with 2,322 hours of commercial jet experience, all logged at Air Florida. It filed for bankruptcy and grounded its fleet in July 1984. Air Florida Flight 90 Survivors. He was building a cement sidewalk at George Bush's house.'. I dont know how people could go through something like this without faith, she said. Stiley, a father of six, has eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, one of whom recently started kindergarten. A flight attendant found religion and a family's love. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. She now works at Christ Fellowship in Miami, where she ministers to children and oversees stage productions and skits. WASHINGTON Thirty years ago Kelly Duncan was clinging to flotsam in the icy Potomac, thinking about her life. Your kingdom come. Five survived. [4]:3840 The first officer was on the controls as the PF during the Air Florida Flight 90 accident. On January 13, 1982, the Boeing 737-200 registered as N62AF, crashed into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River. [31], Suzy Hagstrom of the Orlando Sentinel said, "Chronologically, the crash of Flight 90 may have marked the beginning of the end for Air Florida, but aviation experts say it did not cause or trigger the carrier's demise". On May 8, 1980, though, he was suspended after failing a Boeing 737 company line check and was found to be unsatisfactory in these areas: adherence to regulations, checklist usage, flight procedures such as departures and cruise control, and approaches and landings. While living in Florida, Felch was drawn to a program for children who have the AIDS virus. The plane hit six cars and a truck on the bridge, and tore away 97ft (30m) of the bridge's rail and 41ft (12m) of the bridge's wall. On Jan. 13, 1982, Tirado was pulled from the Potomac River after Air Florida Flight 90 crashed in a snowstorm. [4]:11, The first officer, Roger A. Pettit, aged 31, was hired by Air Florida on October 3, 1980, as a first officer on the Boeing 737. Don Usher and Gene Windsor,two Park Police helicopter pilots, managed to pull out four people. Three days later, he satisfactorily passed a proficiency recheck. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Marilyn Nichols, a stewardess, has just learned she is pregnant. 'He had never been on an airplane until he left Madrid to fly to Washington,' he said. Multiple attempts to throw a makeshift lifeline (made out of belts and any other things available that could be tied together) out to the survivors proved ineffective. Several persons said that he was the type of pilot who would not hesitate to speak up if he knew something specific was wrong with flight operations. Air Florida Flight 90 was a scheduled U.S. domestic passenger flight from Washington National Airport to Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport with an intermediate stopover at Tampa International Airport. Although the 737 did manage to become airborne, it attained a maximum altitude of just 352ft (107m) before it began losing altitude. He also spends time in Port Ludlow, Wash., and Ronan, Mont., where he works in a hydroponic greenhouse, a hobby. The report also notes that the planes proximity to another aircraft while taxiing turned the snow on the plane to slush, which then froze in several critical areas. Emergency ground response was greatly hampered by ice-covered roads and gridlocked traffic. "I really feel that my life has been blessed.". Required fields are marked *. Sometimes my mind works in weird ways. Im waiting for grandkids., E-bikes are an environmental dream except out in nature, 1 killed when business jet encounters severe turbulence, Sports on TV & radio: Local listings for Seattle games and events, Trump fatigue seeps into right-wing forum that fed MAGA fervor, Doctor: Lesion removed from Biden's chest was cancerous. I didnt come across any mentions of it in the articles I found, but now youve piqued my curiosity. During his long convalescence, Stiley reexamined his life goals and forged much closer bonds with his parents, who for a year and a half nursed him at their home in Idaho. [24] Kelly Duncan, the only surviving flight attendant, was recognized in the NTSB accident report for her "unselfish act" of giving the only life vest she could find to a passenger. Ah, maybe it is. Today Duncan, 43, is a preschool teacher at a Christian school. Thirty-seven years earlier, on another frigid Jan. 13, a similar storm poundedthe D.C. areaand led to one of the most hauntingtragedies in the city's history: the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 into the icy depths of the Potomac River. The operator had no means to determine if the proportioning valves were operating properly because no "mix monitor" was installed on the nozzle. The repaired span of the 14th Street Bridge complex over the Potomac River at the crash site, then named the Rochambeau Bridge, was renamed the Arland D. Williams Jr. Memorial Bridge in his honor. She met her future husband, John, a tennis pro, at a Miami church and is now raising three children. Im a commuter. At this point, flight controllers were aware only that the plane had disappeared from radar and did not respond to radio calls, but had no idea of either what had happened or the plane's location. [30] Timoner retired the following year and was replaced by Donald Lloyd-Jones. The Boeing 737 slammed into the 14th Street Bridge, shearing off the tops of cars, and then crashed into the icy river. 15:59:51 CAM-1 It's spooled. 15:59:49 CAM-1 Holler if you need the wipers. Nevertheless, "Life has so much more meaning now. [26], Air Florida began lowering its service and reducing the number of its employees to cope with decreasing finances and fare wars. Joseph Stiley, now 72, also remembers the day as being transformative. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. "A Hero Passenger Aids Others, Then Dies". Those who had flown with him during stressful flight operations said that during those times, he remained the same witty, sharp individual, "who knew his limitations." By then, some fire/rescue personnel had arrived to join the military personnel and civilians who pulled Hamilton (and the next/last three survivors) from the water's edge up to waiting ambulances. A passenger changed jobs and now divides his time among Mexico, Washington state and Montana. Duncan was a flight attendant aboard Air Florida Flight 90 when it scraped a bridge and crashed into the river on Jan. 13, 1982. ", "It's too real to ever forget," agreed Kelly Moore, who was then Kelly Duncan and was working as an Air Florida flight attendant. [18], The day after the crash, on Washington, DC, radio, WWDC shock jock Howard Stern pretended[19] to call the Air Florida ticket counter to ask about buying tickets to the 14th Street Bridge.[20]. The water in the Potomac that day was only six degrees warmer. ", "Everything that was normal before . He changed seats quickly, but still took the flight. It was different, though. Virtually everyone who was in the area that day recalls where they were when they heard the news. [4]:11, Alternating the role of "primary pilot" between the pilot in command (PIC), the captain, and second in command (SIC), the first officer, is customary in commercial airline operations, with pilots swapping roles after each leg. [4], Wheaton was described by fellow pilots as a quiet person, with good operational skills and knowledge, who had operated well in high-workload flying situations. So I told it quite simply what I thought, what I felt, what I was trying to do. The Coast Guard's 65ft (20m) harbor tugboat Capstan (WYTL 65601) and its crew were based nearby; their duties include ice breaking and responding to water rescues. Air Florida Flight 90 in DC had a significant impact on regional cooperation and crew resource management", "WTOP-TV The One & Only Channel 9's History", "Video: 1982 report on Air Florida crash", "Air Florida Flight 90 Crash: 30th Anniversary | wusa9.com", "Stern on Stern: 'I Had a Lot of Rage, and I Was Going to Let It Out. "I have relived that 34 minutes in the water many times," said Stiley, 52, a telecommunications consultant who now lives in Spokane, Wash. "There is a distinct emotional effect that is permanent, and that I'm not professionally prepared to describe. a Capitol Hill errand-runner, pulled off his cowboy boots, dove in, swam to survivor Priscilla Tirado and tugged her back to the shore. Pretty eerie. The rescue attempts by emergency officials and witnesses were recorded and broadcast live by area news reporters. Oh gosh, Ive enjoyed my kids, she said. On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashes into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., resulting in 78 fatalities. Her husband Jose and their 9-week-old son Jason were among the 78 people who died. https://www.sunshineskies.com/airflorida.html, https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR8208.pdf, https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=125881, https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/04/magazine/afterward.html, https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/the-weather-during-the-titanic-disaster-looking-back-100-years/2012/04/11/gIQAAv6SAT_blog.html. I cant even recall seeing any other name for the bridge other than 14th Street. [4]:7677,82 Determining the position of the rudder, slats, elevators, and ailerons was not possible due to impact damage and destruction of the majority of flight control systems. Below-freezing waters and heavy ice made swimming out to them all but impossible. Two men became instant heroes for their efforts to help the desperate men and women in the water. Minutes later, they were shooting video footage of the crash scene, showing wreckage and survivors in the water, along with the arrival of first responders. But those who were rescued say no amount of money can compensate them for the experience. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-200, was loaded with 74 passengers, including three infants and five crew. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. ABC-TV News has. [4]:1011 On April 24, 1981, he received an unsatisfactory grade on a company recurrent proficiency check when he showed deficiencies in memory items, knowledge of aircraft systems, and aircraft limitations. Only five people on the flight survived. That letter prompted a Coast Guard investigation. I was kind of afraid of God at that point, she said recently. Every Jan. 13 is depressing for Priscilla Tirado, who lost her 9-week-old son and husband in the crash. It was sold to Air Florida in 1980. The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the crash included the flight crew's failure to enforce a sterile cockpit during the final preflight checklist procedure. Tirado's husband and child had died on impact. Stiley, then a vice president at General Telephone & Electronics, had grim news to deliver to employees in Huntsville, Ala. But Williams would drown after dramaticallypassingthehelicopter rescue ropeto others. With Jeannetta Arnette, Barry Corbin, Stephen Macht, Dinah Manoff. Airplane survivor Priscilla Tirado, a 22-year-old American who lives in Spain, was visited by her father at the Arlington hospital yesterday and told that her husband and her2-month-old son had . The crash prompted airlines to adopt strict policies ensuring inexperienced captains are paired with experienced co-pilots. Five people aboard the plane survived the day. For the survivors, life was forever changed.