DISASTER IN THE POTOMAC! The Untold Story of Air Florida Flight 90 (Air Florida Flight 90)

In memory for all those who lost their lives in this tragedy, as well as the heroes who gave their lives to save survivors. We shall never forget them. 

Episode Summary: The Tragedy of Air Florida Flight 90

In this poignant episode of The Mysterious Life and Death, we recount the tragic story of Air Florida Flight 90, which met a harrowing fate on a cold winter's day, January 13th, 1982. Departing from Washington National Airport (nowadays the Ronald Reagan International Airport), the Boeing 737-222 plunged into the icy waters of the Potomac River shortly after takeoff, striking the 14th Street Bridge and claiming the lives of 78 individuals, including four motorists on the bridge.

Through a detailed narrative, we explore the events leading up to the crash, including the severe weather conditions that contributed to the tragedy, as well as technical aspects of the tragedy such as the EPR (Engine Pressure Ratio) and the importance of the de-icing procedures. We will delve into the investigation findings, which cited ice on the wings and failure to activate engine anti-ice systems as critical factors in the accident. The episode honors the acts of heroism among survivors and rescuers, highlighting the extraordinary efforts of individuals who risked their lives to save others in the freezing river.

Disclaimer: This episode contains recordings from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and discusses the loss of lives in detail. Listener discretion is advised, as some may find the content distressing.

Join us as we pay tribute to the victims of Air Florida Flight 90 and reflect on the lessons learned from this devastating event. Through this episode, we aim to remember those we lost and acknowledge the indomitable spirit of human resilience in the face of tragedy.

This episode has been based on the final report of the tragedy conducted by the NTSB. For more details, please head to my website at the section podcast transcript, where you can download the final report if you wish to find out more about the tragedy. www.taylorvictoriaholcroft.com/podcasts Alternatively, the link to the NTSB final report is also below. 

CVR and Video sources: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzbzY6D_Ms4 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSAzXt4hLpI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po6D0rMyto0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWN1ZQbYDX0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKlG1eac2Ns 

https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/accidentreports/reports/aar8208.pdf