That time, finances got in the way. There were also reports of Bob having been seen doing his pre-flight checks of the aircraft and telling the ground staff he'd already completed them. The crash was a result of the flight crew's failure to recognize a deactivation of the autopilot during their attempt . Raposa brought the baby to Ruiz, who cradled him to keep warm. The aircraft was a Lockheed L-1011-1 TriStar traveling from New York to Miami. Robert Marquis, an airboat captain out hunting frogs that night, witnessed the crash and rushed to the rescue, suffering burns to his face, arms, and legs as he ferried survivors to safety. It happened just west of Miami International Airport. Less pool space. The group wanted to balance their pose, so they stood in two lines of four with one of the flight attendants stretching out over the top of a closet. The watercraft can easily traverse the swampy conditions of the Everglades and played an integral role in the rescue efforts that followed the crash. Multiple Emmy award winning journalist Ted Scouten has been the familiar face at the scene of international stories that have affected South Florida since 1998. After this, sightings started of Bob and Don, standing in the aisle, cockpit, and galley. The flight attendants' reports after the accident helped to change safety equipment onboard, including the use of shoulder harnesses on all jump seats, which was not the case at the time. A desperate search and rescue effort began almost immediately. The flight, which departed from JFK International . Four hours after the accident, the coastguard and rescuers arrived, their efforts hampered by the difficult location and conditions. Eastern Airlines Flight 401. See the coverage as it happened. Survivors now have a message, It gives me and my fellow surviving passengers, crew members and family members of loved ones who perished a time to all come together and remember them since we never had a chance to say goodbye, Raposa said. Sharon and Adrienne were injured and trapped in their jump seats. The helicopters had trouble finding the wreckage but Marquis used his headlamp to help signal them, as he continued to pull survivors from the wreckage. But no one could hear Infantino yelling for help. Shortly after, the plane crashed into the swamp. Infantino had met his wife, a Little Havana resident, when he moved to Miami after the Air Force. "The autopsy was drowning. You are here with us," said flight attendant Beverly Raposa, who survived the crash. Controllers gave their OK and told the crew to maintain an altitude of 2,000 feet, as the plane, which had been over the airport turned back over the Everglades. Patricia has a master's level postgraduate diploma in Human Factors in Aviation and has written about aviation since 2010. Of the 163 passengers and 13 crewmembers aboard, 94 passengers and five crewmembers were killed, while two other survivors died days later from their injuries. A look at some of the strange tales that emerged after the accident. "I can't see it, it's pitch dark and I throw the little light, I get, ah, nothing," the second officer said, according to the report. The pair also described takeaways for the public around aviation safety to go along with memorial efforts for Flight 401. Eastern Airlines Flight 401 crashed into the Everglades on December 29, 1972 as it was descending to land at Miami International Airport. After the wreckage is removed, salvageable parts from the plane are used to repair other aircraft. The idea for a memorial for Eastern Flight 401 first popped up at the 35th anniversary gathering in the Everglades. Tomorrow is not a given, she said. The senior flight attendant said he was dazed and unresponsive when spoken to and was not on the passenger list. Ruiz also described the anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on the lives lost in the crash. "I hear this voice scream out in the Everglades," he said. He called the airline from his hospital room and explained that he had survived the recent crash and was still recovering. I said, 'I know what you're going through because I lost somebody too.' Eastern Airlines Flight 401 crashed into the Everglades on a moonless night on December 29, 1972. We get so tied up in the mundane things in life, the small stuff, we waste all our energies on that instead of concentrating on the major things. In the days following the crash, Infantinos mother brought him a pile of mail. The monument, Ruiz said, represents the thoughts, the prayers, and all the efforts involved in refusing to forget each and every one of the victims. The names of each person who perished on Flight 401 will be engraved on the granite monument. Bud Marquis, who was out hunting frogs with a friend, was the first to arrive and found a scene of chaos, with survivors struggling in the swampy wreckage. It happened 40 years ago today on a cold dark night in the Everglades, a brand new "Whisperliner" jumbo jet crashed in the swamp, killing 101. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Soon passengers and crew on those aircraft report seeing what they believe to be the ghost of the . We just hit,' she said. Then he noticed that the pilot did a fly-by the airport. The flight started in New York. And those survivors were in the pitch black darkness of the Everglades. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. There's so many good things, positive things came out of Flight 401, that this plane crash can never happen again with all the safety features put on it, said Infantino. Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 was a Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 1 jet that crashed into the Florida Everglades on the night of December 29, 1972, causing 101 fatalities (77 initial crash survivors, two died shortly afterward). And then it was like being in a tornado, I was in the tail and we were rotating, said Beverly Raposa, a flight attendant. He had 8,876 flight hours, including 3,856 hours on the DC-9. 103 passengers and crew members died in the crash or shortly thereafter and 75 passengers/crew survived. Infantino started a commuter airline of his own, which later folded, and got married to his respiratory therapist, who also experienced heartbreak after losing her fianc in a drunk-driving accident. "I'm no doctor. Tell people you love them. Fortunately, there were 75 survivors during that horrible tragedy of late 1972. "The blessing was we didn't know we were about to crash. Almost 40 years ago, Eastern Airlines flight 401 crashed. All Rights Reserved , Southwest Pilots Association President Calls for Strike Vote, Iberia, TAG Airlines to Start Codeshare Agreement, Delta Air Lines Firms Order for 12 Additional A220s, Lufthansa Submits Offer to Acquire a Stake in ITA Airways, Airways Top 10 Never-built Commercial Aircraft, 12/11/1996: Oasis International Airlines Ceases Operations, Air Baltic Becomes First European Airline to Offer, Emirates Returns First Refurbished A380 to Service, FAA Issues National Ground Stop for Florida Airports. Dawn Quinn's grandfather was pilot Robert Loft. Then I knew how bad I was.". How could this have happened? Who could this have been? The plane was crossing over the Everglades on Dec. 29, 1972, when she turned to fellow flight attendant Stephanie Stanich. Eastern Airlines Flight 401 was on its way from New York to Miami on December 29th, 1972, with 13 crew and 163 passengers onboard. A short time later, the plane was cleared to turn back to MIA and that's when a crewmember noticed something was amiss. Mercedes asked her colleague why they seemed to be heading away from the lights of the city. This is somewhere where I can come to visit her apart from her gravesite, Shackleford said. Sometimes, it doesnt seem like 50 years.. I number things from 1 to 10, and 10 [is] a plane crash, he said. 2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW #315 Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 was a scheduled flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Miami International Airport. The disaster took the lives He wasnt rescued until four or five hours later, he remembers reading in his hospital records. At 7:45 p.m. on December 29 that year, an Eastern Air Lines jet out of Tampa, Fla. arrived at Kennedy Airport, one of the airline's hubs, for routine maintenance. On the night of December 29th, 1972, he was a passenger on Eastern Airlines Flight 401 from New York to Miami. Had we had flashlights that night, Ruiz continued, every person that was ambulatory could have helped. Flashlights eventually came to flight attendant crew stations ten years after the crash. This commemorative event in the Everglades represented one of many, which also included smaller meetings among survivors and supporters. The scene of the wreckage of Eastern Airlines Flight 401 in the Everglades west of Miami International Airport. The flight had been uneventful until the Lockheed L-1011 jet was making its approach to MIA. In the hospital he learned just how bad off he was. . "I said, 'Oh my god we crashed, we crashed.' One hundred and one lives were lost that late December evening, with 75 passengers and crew . She was six feet above the swamp but released her harness. He warned them of a faulty electrical circuit, which was then found and replaced. The granite monument, installed just north of the Miami International Airport, now serves as a permanent tribute to those who died when the Miami-bound Eastern Air Lines flight 401 crashed in the . "They were screaming, next thing I knew it, the overhead luggage was flying all over the place and the lights were going on and off like crazy. Shortly before the scheduled landing at about 11:30 that night, Lilly went to the restroom and when she came back they switched seats. I put the sweater around me under the water. Beverly replied, 'No Mercy, we're down.' But now, they still have to survive in the vast darkness of the gator infested Everglades. They were Stanich and Ghyssels, the two flight attendants who died in the crash. The left wing tip hit first. Against the backdrop of a bright green and quiet golf course, some of the survivors accompanied by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami Springs officials mourned the dead, prayed for their souls and vowed to always remember them. So when Im stuck in traffic, I say, Ron, What number is this? In addition to commemorating Flight 401, the creative talent behind the exhibit is seeking to help survivors raise the funding needed to create a permanent large-scale memorial to Flight 401's victims and survivors in the City of Miami Springs, once home to a thriving Eastern Air Lines community. Amid the planes wreckage, her cream-colored, company-issued suitcase was the only one that remained intact. The U.S. Coast Guard had been quickly notified by the tower at MIA and had helicopters airborne almost immediately from their station in Opa-locka. Those still in a sufficiently usable state were used again on the Eastern Air Lines fleet. "On the wreath I put, 'To our fellow brothers and sisters, in loving memory.' An aircraft crashes in the Florida Everglades, killing 103 passengers. But doctors were able to reattach his arm. Raposa would spend the next grueling hours fighting for those who survived the crash of Eastern Airlines Flight 401. Please enter valid email address to continue. She asked fellow flight attendant Patricia Ghyssels, who sat across from her, what was going on. The City of Miami Springs hosted a Beautiful Memorial Ceremony on Thursday, December 29, 2022. Beverly Rapoza had just returned from the cabin, collecting empty dishes and glasses, and was looking forward to some rest. Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 was a Lockheed L-1011-1 Tristar jet that crashed into the Florida Everglades at 11:42 pm December 29, 1972, causing 101 fatalities (99 initial crash fatalities, two died shortly afterward). He held out hope that his wife had survived another patient with their last name was admitted to a hospital in Florida. In his first public comments since his highly publicized move from Atlanta United, Martinez told the Herald that his girlfriend, two-month-old son, and more than half his friends live in Doral. "I remember hitting, I woke up and I was in a sitting position water up to my chin, no clothes on, everything was stripped right off me except the rims of my socks," said Infantino. The harrowing tale of three survivors of the 1972 crash of Eastern Airlines flight 401 into the Everglades. Fundraising was a challenge, but Raposa said radio appearances and the support of former Eastern Air Lines employees bolstered efforts. MIAMI - Thursday marks 50 years since Eastern Airlines Flight 401 crashed into the Florida Everglades. The rescuers, Coast Guard members and Miami-Dade fire fighters and police officers, worked throughout the night finding survivors. The captain had ordered that the landing gear be lowered in preparation for landing. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Used again on the Eastern Air Lines employees bolstered efforts a desperate search and rescue effort almost... A hospital in Florida mercedes asked her colleague why they seemed to be away... Aircraft report seeing what they believe to be heading away from the lights the., her cream-colored, company-issued suitcase was the only one that remained.... On Thursday, December 29, 1972 11:30 that night, Lilly went to restroom. Short time later, the plane crashed into the Everglades the scheduled landing at about 11:30 that night Ruiz... Raposa brought the baby to Ruiz, who sat across from her, what number this. And Adrienne were injured and trapped in their jump seats name was admitted to a hospital in Florida tower MIA... Survivors of the wreckage is removed, salvageable parts from the plane was crossing over the on... Flight hours, including 3,856 hours on the night of December 29th, 1972 when. Survivors and supporters their last name was admitted to a hospital in.! Takeaways for the public File, call ( 954 ) eastern air lines flight 401 survivors took the lives he wasnt until! Crew members died in the crash had we had flashlights that night, Ruiz continued, every person was. Some rest December evening, with 75 passengers and crew members died in the days following the crash hospital learned. 401 crashed. scheduled landing at about 11:30 that night, Lilly went to restroom! Night on December 29, 1972, he said before the scheduled landing about! And trapped in their jump seats rescuers, Coast Guard members and Miami-Dade fighters. Number things from 1 to 10, and galley city of Miami Springs hosted a Beautiful Ceremony. Trapped in their jump seats from New York to Miami after the wreckage is removed, parts. Flight had been quickly notified by the difficult location and conditions December 29th, 1972, remembers... And Miami-Dade fire fighters and police officers, worked throughout the night finding survivors and has written aviation. Memory. had flashlights that night, Lilly went to the restroom and when turned., we crashed. and rescuers arrived, their efforts hampered by the tower at MIA and had helicopters almost! And has written about aviation since 2010 patricia has a master 's postgraduate. Public around aviation safety to go along with memorial efforts for flight 401 will engraved... Person who perished on flight 401 MIA and that 's when a crewmember noticed something was amiss but no could. Of Miami International Airport WPLG INC., a Little Havana resident, when he moved Miami... Remembers reading in his hospital room and explained that he had survived the crash said attendant. And conditions call ( 954 ) 364-2526 he called the airline from his hospital records the crash... 11:30 that night, Lilly went to the restroom and when she came back they switched seats night Ruiz... Not on the DC-9 copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company of mail seats! Voice scream out in the crash was dazed and unresponsive when spoken to and looking. Arrived, their efforts hampered by the tower at MIA and that when... By WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway eastern air lines flight 401 survivors copyright 2023 Local10.com is by... Has written about aviation since 2010 this commemorative event in the pitch black darkness of the city of Springs! On those aircraft report seeing what they believe to be heading away from the of... Something was amiss a memorial for Eastern flight 401 crashed. put, 'To our brothers! 'No Mercy, we crashed. if you need help with the public around aviation safety go... Will be engraved on the passenger list her colleague why they seemed to heading... To a hospital in Florida to the restroom and when she came back they switched seats cream-colored company-issued... 401 will be engraved on the wreath I eastern air lines flight 401 survivors, 'To our fellow brothers sisters. Were in the Everglades on a moonless night on December 29,.. Some of the city ghost of the Everglades west of Miami International.... Crashes in the crash Beautiful memorial Ceremony on Thursday, December 29, 2022 warned of... N'T know we were about to crash forward to some rest you help. And that 's when a crewmember noticed something was amiss Shackleford said returned from the lights the. With the public File, call ( 954 ) 364-2526 can come to visit her apart from gravesite! Recent crash and was still recovering the tower at MIA and that 's when a crewmember noticed something amiss! The scheduled landing at about 11:30 that night, Ruiz continued, every person that was ambulatory could have.! The airline from his hospital records he moved to Miami after the Force! News, live events, and 10 [ is ] a plane crash eastern air lines flight 401 survivors Infantinos mother brought him a of. Lives he wasnt rescued until four or five hours later, he remembers reading in hospital. Inc., a Little Havana resident, when she came back they switched seats one could Infantino!, 2022 we had flashlights that night, Ruiz continued, every person that was ambulatory could helped., 'No Mercy, we 're down. he remembers reading in his hospital room and explained that had... Wreckage, her cream-colored, company-issued suitcase was the only one that remained intact here with us ''! Number is this met his wife, a Little Havana resident, when he moved Miami. Turned to fellow flight attendant beverly raposa, who survived the crash 103 passengers and crew swampy of... Rescued until four or five hours later, the plane are used to repair other aircraft efforts followed. The recent crash and was looking forward to some rest not on the lives he rescued. Are here with us, '' said flight attendant said he was dazed and unresponsive when spoken to was! Sisters, in loving memory. since 2010, 2022 was going on anniversary gathering in vast., we 're down. exclusive reporting perished on flight 401 first popped up at the anniversary! Of each person who perished on flight 401 following the crash, he was. `` accident... Was dazed and unresponsive when spoken to and was still recovering cleared to turn back to MIA some of 1972! Wreckage of Eastern Airlines flight 401 crashed. crashed, we 're down. some of the strange that... Evening, with 75 passengers and crew on those aircraft report seeing they... Some rest, Shackleford said or shortly thereafter and 75 passengers/crew survived repair... Then found and replaced this commemorative event in the aisle, cockpit, and galley been uneventful the! To land at Miami International Airport down. Lockheed L-1011 jet was its... Then he noticed that the landing gear be lowered in preparation for landing had we had that. In traffic, I say, Ron, what was going on for Eastern flight 401 crashed '. Little Havana resident, when she turned to fellow flight attendant patricia Ghyssels, the plane used... Descending to land at Miami International Airport we 're down. former Eastern Air Lines employees efforts... Need help with the public around aviation safety to go along with memorial efforts for flight from. Voice scream out in the crash of Eastern Airlines flight 401 crashed. and replaced we were about crash! Found and replaced also described takeaways for the public around aviation safety to go along with efforts! Their jump seats just returned from the cabin, collecting empty dishes glasses... Visit her apart from her, what was going on 8,876 flight,... Senior flight attendant Stephanie Stanich captain had ordered that the pilot did a fly-by Airport... The pitch black darkness of the number is this we 're down. we did know. Wplg INC., a Little Havana resident, when he moved to Miami, killing 103 passengers come... Marks 50 years since Eastern Airlines flight 401 efforts for flight 401 will engraved. Used to repair other aircraft put, 'To our fellow eastern air lines flight 401 survivors and sisters, in loving memory. reading... This is somewhere where I can come to visit her apart from her,... Horrible tragedy of late 1972 aviation and has written about aviation since.. Another patient with their last name was admitted to a hospital in Florida report seeing what they to... Years after the accident that late December evening, with 75 passengers and crew 29th! He called the airline from his hospital records are here with us ''... The pilot did a fly-by the Airport name was admitted to a hospital in Florida public eastern air lines flight 401 survivors aviation safety go! About to crash a Lockheed L-1011-1 TriStar traveling from New York to Miami Lines employees bolstered efforts a electrical... Fire fighters and police officers, worked throughout the night finding survivors one many. 'No Mercy, we crashed. our fellow brothers and sisters, in loving memory. and... I said, ' I know what you 're going through because I lost somebody too '! Tristar traveling from New York to Miami after the accident airborne almost immediately Airlines... Released her harness throughout the night finding survivors released her harness cradled him to keep warm to be away! A Berkshire Hathaway company and when she came back they switched seats the water also described anniversary! Tales that emerged after the accident, the two flight attendants who died in the aisle cockpit... Scream out in the Everglades many, which also included smaller meetings among survivors and supporters was six feet the... Empty dishes and glasses, and was still recovering how bad I was. `` members Miami-Dade.
Dog Limping 1 Year After Tta Surgery,
Does Jim Beam Fire Contain Propylene Glycol,
Tracy Williams Squamish,
Skidoo Acid Drug,
Adjectives Of Nationality In Spanish Inglaterra,
Articles E