Introduction
On May 13, 1983, Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 737-291 named "MissMaxwell Tiffany II," crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., after running out of fuel. The flight had originated in Miami, Florida, and was bound for Baltimore, Maryland, with a stopover in Tampa, Florida. All 75 passengers and crew on board survived the crash, but two passengers died from their injuries. The cause of the crash was determined to be the pilot's negligence in failing to refuel the aircraft before the flight.
The Crash
The aircraft departed from Miami International Airport at 9:00 am Eastern Time. The pilot, Captain Robert E. "Bob" Bishop, and his co-pilot, First Officer Frederick C. "Fred" Croce, were both experienced pilots with over 2,000 flight hours each. The flight to Tampa was uneventful, and the aircraft arrived at Tampa International Airport at 10:30 am. After a brief stop, the aircraft departed for Baltimore at 11:00 am.
The flight to Baltimore was uneventful until the aircraft began its descent into Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI). At approximately 11:45 am, the aircraft ran out of fuel and crashed into the Potomac River. All 75 passengers and crew on board survived the crash, but two passengers died from their injuries.
The Cause of the Crash
The cause of the crash was determined to be the pilot's negligence in failing to refuel the aircraft before the flight. The pilot had been aware that the aircraft was low on fuel, but he decided to continue the flight anyway. The pilot's decision to continue the flight without refueling was a violation of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.
The Aftermath of the Crash
The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 was a major aviation disaster. The crash resulted in the death of two passengers and injuries to many others. The crash also raised questions about the safety of commercial aviation. The FAA responded to the crash by issuing a new regulation requiring airlines to refuel their aircraft before each flight. The regulation also requires airlines to conduct regular inspections of their aircraft to ensure that they are in good mechanical condition.
Conclusion
The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 is a reminder of the importance of following safety regulations. The pilot's negligence in failing to refuel the aircraft before the flight was a violation of FAA regulations. The crash resulted in the death of two passengers and injuries to many others. The FAA responded to the crash by issuing a new regulation requiring airlines to refuel their aircraft before each flight. The regulation also requires airlines to conduct regular inspections of their aircraft to ensure that they are in good mechanical condition.
Air Florida Flight 90
On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., after running out of fuel. All 74 passengers and 5 crew members on board survived the crash, but four people on the ground were killed.
- Boeing 737-222
- Miami to Tampa to Baltimore
- Ran out of fuel
- Potomac River crash
- 79 survivors
- 4 fatalities
- Pilot error
- Inadequate communication
- Safety regulations
The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 highlighted the importance of following safety regulations and procedures, as well as the need for effective communication between pilots and air traffic controllers.
Boeing 737-222
Air Florida Flight 90 was a Boeing 737-222, a twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The 737-200 series was the first generation of the Boeing 737, and the 737-222 was a variant powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-15 engines.
- Small aircraft:
The Boeing 737-222 was a relatively small aircraft, with a capacity of up to 130 passengers. This made it ideal for short-haul flights, such as the flight from Miami to Baltimore.
- Fuel efficiency:
The Boeing 737-222 was known for its fuel efficiency, which was one of the reasons why it was so popular with airlines. However, this fuel efficiency also meant that the aircraft had a limited range, and it needed to refuel more frequently than some other aircraft.
- Reliability:
The Boeing 737-222 was a reliable aircraft, with a good safety record. However, like all aircraft, it was not immune to mechanical problems. In the case of Air Florida Flight 90, the aircraft experienced a malfunction of its fuel gauges, which led to the pilots running out of fuel.
- Design:
The Boeing 737-222 was designed with a T-tail, which is a tailplane mounted on the top of the vertical stabilizer. This design was intended to improve the aircraft's stability and control. However, the T-tail design has also been criticized for being more susceptible to icing, which can affect the aircraft's performance.
The Boeing 737-222 was a popular aircraft with airlines around the world. However, the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 highlighted some of the limitations of the aircraft, particularly its limited range and its susceptibility to icing.
Miami to Tampa to Baltimore
Air Florida Flight 90 was scheduled to fly from Miami, Florida to Baltimore, Maryland, with a stopover in Tampa, Florida. The flight departed from Miami International Airport at 9:00 am Eastern Time on January 13, 1982. The flight to Tampa was uneventful, and the aircraft arrived at Tampa International Airport at 10:30 am.
After a brief stopover in Tampa, the aircraft departed for Baltimore at 11:00 am. The flight to Baltimore was also uneventful until the aircraft began its descent into Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI). At approximately 11:45 am, the aircraft ran out of fuel and crashed into the Potomac River.
There were several factors that contributed to the crash of Air Florida Flight 90. One factor was the pilot's decision to continue the flight from Tampa to Baltimore without refueling the aircraft. The pilot was aware that the aircraft was low on fuel, but he decided to continue the flight anyway. This decision was a violation of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.
Another factor that contributed to the crash was the malfunction of the aircraft's fuel gauges. The fuel gauges were providing inaccurate readings, which led the pilot to believe that the aircraft had more fuel than it actually did. This誤解 led the pilot to continue the flight without refueling the aircraft.
The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 is a reminder of the importance of following safety regulations and procedures. The pilot's decision to continue the flight without refueling the aircraft was a violation of FAA regulations. The malfunction of the aircraft's fuel gauges also contributed to the crash.
The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 also highlighted the importance of effective communication between pilots and air traffic controllers. The pilot of Air Florida Flight 90 did not communicate his fuel situation to air traffic controllers. This failure to communicate contributed to the crash.
Ran out of fuel
One of the main factors that contributed to the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 was that the aircraft ran out of fuel. There were several reasons why the aircraft ran out of fuel.
- Pilot error:
The pilot of Air Florida Flight 90, Captain Robert E. "Bob" Bishop, made several errors that led to the aircraft running out of fuel. First, he failed to refuel the aircraft before the flight from Tampa to Baltimore. Second, he ignored warnings from his co-pilot and the flight engineer that the aircraft was low on fuel. Third, he continued to fly the aircraft even after the engines began to flame out.
- Fuel gauge malfunction:
The fuel gauges on Air Florida Flight 90 were malfunctioning. The gauges were providing inaccurate readings, which led the pilot to believe that the aircraft had more fuel than it actually did. This誤解 led the pilot to continue flying the aircraft without refueling it.
- Inadequate communication:
The pilot of Air Florida Flight 90 did not communicate his fuel situation to air traffic controllers. This failure to communicate contributed to the crash. If the pilot had communicated his fuel situation to air traffic controllers, they could have helped him to find a place to land the aircraft safely.
- Bad weather:
The weather conditions at the time of the crash were also a factor. There was a snowstorm in the Washington, D.C. area, which made it difficult for the pilot to see. The snowstorm also made it difficult for air traffic controllers to communicate with the pilot.
The combination of these factors led to the crash of Air Florida Flight 90. The pilot's errors, the malfunctioning fuel gauges, the inadequate communication, and the bad weather all contributed to the tragedy.
Potomac River crash
On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., shortly after takeoff from Washington National Airport. All 74 passengers and 5 crew members on board survived the crash, but four people on the ground were killed.
- Engine failure:
The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 was caused by the failure of both engines. The engines failed because they ran out of fuel. The pilot of the aircraft, Captain Robert E. "Bob" Bishop, had ignored warnings from his co-pilot and the flight engineer that the aircraft was low on fuel. He continued to fly the aircraft even after the engines began to flame out.
- Pilot error:
The pilot of Air Florida Flight 90 made several errors that contributed to the crash. He failed to refuel the aircraft before the flight, he ignored warnings from his co-pilot and the flight engineer that the aircraft was low on fuel, and he continued to fly the aircraft even after the engines began to flame out.
- Inadequate training:
The pilot of Air Florida Flight 90 had not received adequate training on how to handle an engine failure. He did not know how to properly restart the engines or how to land the aircraft safely without power.
- Bad weather:
The weather conditions at the time of the crash were also a factor. There was a snowstorm in the Washington, D.C. area, which made it difficult for the pilot to see. The snowstorm also made it difficult for air traffic controllers to communicate with the pilot.
The combination of these factors led to the crash of Air Florida Flight 90. The pilot's errors, the inadequate training, and the bad weather all contributed to the tragedy.
79 survivors
There were 79 survivors of the crash of Air Florida Flight 90. This includes all 74 passengers and 5 crew members who were on board the aircraft, as well as four people who were on the ground.
- Successful evacuation:
The successful evacuation of Air Florida Flight 90 was due to several factors. First, the passengers and crew remained calm and followed the instructions of the flight attendants. Second, the flight attendants were able to quickly and efficiently evacuate the passengers from the aircraft. Third, the emergency services were able to quickly respond to the crash and rescue the survivors.
- Cold water survival:
Many of the survivors of Air Florida Flight 90 were able to survive the cold water of the Potomac River. This was due to the fact that they were wearing life vests and were able to stay afloat. The survivors were also able to huddle together for warmth.
- Rescue efforts:
The rescue efforts following the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 were extensive. Dozens of boats and helicopters were involved in the search for survivors. The rescue efforts were also aided by civilians who witnessed the crash and jumped into the river to help the survivors.
- Miracles:
Many people believe that the survival of the 79 people on Air Florida Flight 90 was a miracle. The survivors themselves often credit their survival to divine intervention.
The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 was a tragedy, but it is also a story of hope and survival. The 79 survivors are a testament to the human spirit and the power of teamwork.
4 fatalities
There were four fatalities as a result of the crash of Air Florida Flight 90. This includes three people who were on the aircraft and one person who was on the ground.
- Arland D. Williams, Jr.:
Williams was a passenger on Air Florida Flight 90. He was a 56-year-old businessman from Maryland. Williams died from his injuries shortly after the crash.
- Joe Stiley:
Stiley was a passenger on Air Florida Flight 90. He was a 28-year-old government employee from Virginia. Stiley died from his injuries shortly after the crash.
- Patricia Felch:
Felch was a flight attendant on Air Florida Flight 90. She was a 22-year-old woman from Maryland. Felch died from her injuries shortly after the crash.
- Bernard F. Webber:
Webber was a construction worker who was working on a bridge over the Potomac River. He was killed by debris from the aircraft as it crashed into the river.
The four fatalities from the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 are a reminder of the tragic consequences that can result from aviation accidents. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims.
Pilot error
The pilot of Air Florida Flight 90, Captain Robert E. "Bob" Bishop, made several errors that contributed to the crash. These errors include:
- Failure to refuel the aircraft:
Bishop failed to refuel the aircraft before the flight from Tampa to Baltimore. This was a violation of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. Bishop claimed that he thought that the aircraft had been refueled in Tampa, but there is no evidence to support this claim.
- Ignoring warnings from his co-pilot and the flight engineer:
Bishop ignored warnings from his co-pilot and the flight engineer that the aircraft was low on fuel. The co-pilot and the flight engineer both told Bishop that they needed to land the aircraft to refuel, but Bishop refused.
- Continuing to fly the aircraft after the engines began to flame out:
Bishop continued to fly the aircraft even after the engines began to flame out. He attempted to restart the engines, but he was unsuccessful. Bishop then tried to land the aircraft on the Potomac River, but he was unable to do so.
Bishop's errors were a major factor in the crash of Air Florida Flight 90. If he had refueled the aircraft before the flight, if he had listened to the warnings from his co-pilot and the flight engineer, and if he had landed the aircraft when the engines began to flame out, the crash could have been avoided.
Bishop's errors are a reminder of the importance of following safety regulations and procedures. Pilots have a responsibility to ensure that their aircraft are safe to fly. They must also be willing to listen to the advice of their co-pilots and flight engineers.
The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 is a tragedy that could have been avoided. Bishop's errors are a reminder of the importance of safety in aviation.
Inadequate communication
There was inadequate communication between the pilot of Air Florida Flight 90 and air traffic controllers. This inadequate communication contributed to the crash.
- Pilot failed to communicate fuel situation:
The pilot of Air Florida Flight 90, Captain Robert E. "Bob" Bishop, failed to communicate his fuel situation to air traffic controllers. Bishop knew that the aircraft was low on fuel, but he did not tell air traffic controllers this. If Bishop had communicated his fuel situation to air traffic controllers, they could have helped him to find a place to land the aircraft safely.
- Air traffic controllers failed to provide adequate assistance:
The air traffic controllers who were working at the time of the crash failed to provide adequate assistance to Bishop. The air traffic controllers did not notice that Bishop was flying the aircraft at a dangerously low altitude. They also did not provide Bishop with any instructions on how to land the aircraft safely.
- Miscommunication between pilot and air traffic controllers:
There was also miscommunication between Bishop and the air traffic controllers. Bishop misunderstood some of the instructions that the air traffic controllers gave him. This miscommunication contributed to the crash.
The inadequate communication between the pilot of Air Florida Flight 90 and air traffic controllers was a major factor in the crash. If there had been better communication, the crash could have been avoided.
The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 is a reminder of the importance of communication in aviation. Pilots and air traffic controllers must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with each other. This is essential for the safety of all involved.
Safety regulations
The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 led to several changes in safety regulations. These changes were designed to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future.
- Refueling requirements:
The FAA issued a new regulation requiring airlines to refuel their aircraft before each flight. This regulation also requires airlines to conduct regular inspections of their aircraft to ensure that they are in good mechanical condition.
- Fuel gauge requirements:
The FAA also issued a new regulation requiring airlines to install more accurate fuel gauges on their aircraft. This regulation was intended to prevent pilots from running out of fuel due to inaccurate fuel gauge readings.
- Pilot training requirements:
The FAA also issued a new regulation requiring pilots to receive training on how to handle engine failures. This training was intended to help pilots to land their aircraft safely in the event of an engine failure.
- Communication requirements:
The FAA also issued a new regulation requiring pilots and air traffic controllers to communicate more effectively with each other. This regulation was intended to prevent miscommunication between pilots and air traffic controllers.
The changes in safety regulations that were made after the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 have helped to make air travel safer. These regulations have helped to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future.
The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 is a reminder of the importance of safety in aviation. Safety regulations are essential for protecting the lives of passengers and crew members.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about Air Florida Flight 90:
Question 1: What happened to Air Florida Flight 90?
Answer: Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., on January 13, 1982. All 74 passengers and 5 crew members on board survived the crash, but four people on the ground were killed.
Question 2: What caused the crash?
Answer: The crash was caused by a combination of factors, including pilot error, inadequate communication, and a malfunctioning fuel gauge.
Question 3: Who was the pilot of Air Florida Flight 90?
Answer: The pilot of Air Florida Flight 90 was Captain Robert E. "Bob" Bishop.
Question 4: How many people survived the crash?
Answer: 79 people survived the crash, including all 74 passengers and 5 crew members.
Question 5: How many people died in the crash?
Answer: Four people died in the crash, including three people on the aircraft and one person on the ground.
Question 6: What changes were made to safety regulations after the crash?
Answer: The FAA issued several new regulations after the crash, including regulations requiring airlines to refuel their aircraft before each flight, to install more accurate fuel gauges, and to provide pilots with training on how to handle engine failures.
Question 7: What is the legacy of Air Florida Flight 90?
Answer: The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 is a reminder of the importance of safety in aviation. The changes in safety regulations that were made after the crash have helped to make air travel safer.
If you have any other questions about Air Florida Flight 90, please feel free to ask.
In addition to the information provided in the FAQ, here are some additional tips for staying safe when flying:
Tips
Here are some tips for staying safe when flying:
Tip 1: Arrive at the airport early.
This will give you plenty of time to check in for your flight, go through security, and find your gate without feeling rushed.
Tip 2: Dress comfortably.
You're going to be sitting in a cramped seat for several hours, so make sure you're wearing comfortable clothes. Avoid wearing anything too tight or restrictive.
Tip 3: Bring a carry-on bag.
This will allow you to keep your essential items with you at all times. Pack your carry-on bag with things like your passport, boarding pass, wallet, phone, and a change of clothes.
Tip 4: Be aware of your surroundings.
Pay attention to the safety instructions given by the flight attendants. Keep an eye on your belongings, and be aware of the people around you.
Tip 5: Stay hydrated.
The air in airplanes is very dry, so it's important to drink plenty of water during your flight. Avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine, as these can dehydrate you.
Tip 6: Be patient.
Flight delays and cancellations are inevitable. If your flight is delayed or canceled, try to stay patient. The airline will do their best to get you to your destination as soon as possible.
By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your flight is safe and enjoyable.
Flying is a safe way to travel, but there are always some risks involved. By following the tips in this article, you can help to minimize those risks and ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable flight.
Conclusion
The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 was a tragedy, but it also led to important changes in safety regulations. These changes have helped to make air travel safer.
The main points of this article are:
- Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., on January 13, 1982.
- All 74 passengers and 5 crew members on board survived the crash, but four people on the ground were killed.
- The crash was caused by a combination of factors, including pilot error, inadequate communication, and a malfunctioning fuel gauge.
- The FAA issued several new regulations after the crash, including regulations requiring airlines to refuel their aircraft before each flight, to install more accurate fuel gauges, and to provide pilots with training on how to handle engine failures.
- The changes in safety regulations that were made after the crash have helped to make air travel safer.
The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 is a reminder of the importance of safety in aviation. Safety regulations are essential for protecting the lives of passengers and crew members.
We can all help to make air travel safer by following the safety regulations and by being aware of our surroundings when we fly.