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🇦🇷 Argentina /Disasters & Emergencies

The 1982 Air Disaster That Changed Aviation Safety Protocols in Washington

From Clarín · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into Washington's 14th Street Bridge on Jan. 13, 1982, killing 78 people during a snowstorm.
  • Investigators found that the aircraft had taken off with snow and ice on its wings and that the captain had omitted some de-icing procedures.
  • The NTSB and FAA subsequently revised guidance on aircraft operations, de-icing and the requirement for a clean aircraft in winter conditions.

On Jan. 13, 1982, an Air Florida Boeing 737-200 crashed into a bridge over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. The disaster killed 78 people and led to changes in commercial aviation safety procedures.

Snow was falling heavily that afternoon, and the Potomac was frozen. Washington National Airport resumed operations after being closed for several hours as the snowfall began to ease. A line of aircraft on the runway delayed Flight 90. While waiting for clearance, the captain began, stopped and restarted the wing de-icing system. The National Transportation Safety Board later said that decision contributed to determining the causes of the crash.

Oh my God, look at that! It doesn't seem right, does it?

· First officer Roger PettitHe reacted to the aircraft's performance shortly after takeoff.

The aircraft finally took off at about 3:55 p.m. The captain and first officer then remarked that it was losing acceleration. The first officer said, “Oh my God, look at that! It doesn't seem right, does it?” At 4 p.m., he told the captain, “We're going to crash.” The captain replied, “I know.”

We're going to crash.

· First officer Roger PettitHe warned the captain moments before the aircraft struck the bridge.

The Boeing remained in the air for only a few seconds before striking the 14th Street Bridge. Seventy passengers, four crew members, including Captain Larry Wheaton and First Officer Roger Pettit, and four people in vehicles on the bridge died. Five people survived, including four passengers and flight attendant Kelly Duncan.

The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration concluded that the captain had made several errors. He had omitted some de-icing operations, knew that snow and ice remained on the wings, and was aware of abnormal engine readings before takeoff. The NTSB ordered revisions to the Manual of Operations in Icing Conditions, adding critical aircraft components that could be affected by frost, ice and snow. It also required more detailed descriptions of dispatch, release and takeoff in conditions favorable to accumulation. The FAA issued further notices on post-de-icing risks and winter operations, reinforcing the importance of keeping aircraft clean before flight. Cockpit voice recordings played a key role in clarifying what happened.

I know.

· Captain Larry WheatonHe responded to the first officer's warning before the crash.
About this summary

Originally published by Clarín in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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