eastern air lines flight 401 survivors

He warned them of a faulty electrical circuit, which was then found and replaced. Beverly Rapoza had just returned from the cabin, collecting empty dishes and glasses, and was looking forward to some rest. The flight crew had taken pictures as a keepsake for what would have been their last trip of the year together. 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. Perhaps the most extraordinary and credible research into the ghost phenomenon ever documented is the so-called "Ghosts of Flight 401."On December of 1972, an Eastern Airlines Tri-Star jetliner, Flight 401, crashed into a Florida swamp.Read the accident report (PDF). Omar is a bilingual and bicultural journalist, covering breaking news in South Florida for the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald. Bud Marquis raced to the scene to assist survivors and he used his head-mounted light to signal the first U. S. Coast Guard HH-52A as to where . When the flight crew on Eastern Air Lines 401 noticed a possible issue with their aircraft, they immediately went into troubleshooting mode to ensure the problem could be fixed. Were talking about 75 people who have varying degrees of injuries and now have to navigate an airplane wreckage in the alligator infested swamp. Forty-five years ago, when Officer Gray Leonhard of the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission began a solo night patrol in the Everglades, he was on the lookout for poachers, drug smugglers and maybe even a bullet-riddled corpse. One survivor, certain Marquis carried him to safety, once showed up with a $1,000 check. At the start of 2022, Raposa remembered her promise to honor those who lost their lives on the flight. Eastern Air Lines Flight 401, another Eastern Airlines CFIT . 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). We're trying to build a memorial out there to try to honor that not only the survivals but the ones who died, ron However, 75 people did survive the crash. Those are the last moments Ron Infantino, 76, who now lives in The Villages in Central Florida, remembers before blacking out. - Flight Safety Foundation. In November 2022,Airwaysinterviewed former flight attendants Beverly Raposa and Mercy Ruiz to understand their perspectives as survivors of the crash. 103 passengers and crew members died in the crash or shortly thereafter and 75 passengers/crew survived. Although the sightings were reported in a Flight Safety Foundation publication, the Eastern Air Lines CEO dismissed the claims, and employees were warned not to talk about the sightings. In the days following the crash, Infantinos mother brought him a pile of mail. She heard the cries of people and shouted, 'Follow my voice, I am a flight attendant' so that any surviving passengers could find her. On another day, a crew was in the cockpit of an aircraft when they were said to have seen Don sitting with them. Advertise: Call 305.775.4094 or email: Soon passengers and crew on those aircraft report seeing what they believe to be the ghost of the . Anyone interested in attending should email flt401memorial@gmail.com. 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. Beverly had gathered survivors together, seating them back to back to stay warm. All rights reserved, WATCH LIVE: Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing on Roadway in Western Broward, Jury Sides With Flo Rida, Awards $82 Million in Lawsuit Against Celsius, Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing on Road in Western Broward, Man in Custody After Allegedly Killing Co-Worker at Hollywood Business: Police, Netflix Is Hiring a Flight Attendant for One of Its Private Jets and the Job Pays Up to $385,000. If you have a story you'd like to share with the Miami Springs audience or would like to advertise on MiamiSprings.com, please contact Mr. Suarez at: You have entered an incorrect email address! Beverly Raposa a survior of Eastern Flight 401 29th December 1972 crash of an L-1011, tail number N310EA explains her experience The disaster took the lives After this, sightings started of Bob and Don, standing in the aisle, cockpit, and galley. And because it was pitch dark there were no visual cues outside to tell them they were about to hit the swamp. It also offered the opportunity to discuss their efforts to commemorate victims prior to the December 2022 inauguration of the 50th Anniversary of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 Memorial Monument. Truth or scare? The answer was fine, but unfortunately the controller didn't specifically mention the altitude so no one was the wiser. However, the indicator light failed to show that the landing gear was locked down. He wasnt rescued until four or five hours later, he remembers reading in his hospital records. 75. There were 75 survivors, including a 23-year-old flight . Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 was a regularly scheduled flight between Charleston, South Carolina and Chicago Illinois with a stop at Charlotte, North Carolina. While making preparations to land, the crew are distracted by a faulty landing gear indicator light and accidentally disengage the autopilot while trying to resolve the problem. There were 10 flight attendants in the main cabin serving 163 passengers. "The tail turned over, the floor opened under me and I went down with 400 pounds of debris on me," she said. . Ruiz was 28 years old and had been working as a flight attendant for less than three years when the plane went down. Contact us: info@MiamiSprings.com "I hear this voice scream out in the Everglades," he said. The aircraft assigned to Eastern Airlines Flight 401 that December 29th was an L-1011 from Lockheed, often referred to as a Whisperliner due to its quiet engines. 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). The appearance of the dead flight engineer () was confirmed by the flight engineer." It was a huge fireball. All are South Florida survivors of the crash of Eastern Flight #401 now trying . /24-7PressRelease/ - MIAMI, FL, December 07, 2007 - On Monday, December 3, 2007 survivors of Eastern Airlines Flight 401, gathered at the Metro-Dade Firefighters Memorial Building, in Doral (Miami), Florida, to remember the 101 passengers and crew, who lost their lives in the fateful crash of a Lockheed L-1011, jumbo-jet in the Florida Everglades, December 29, 1972, while en route from New . Today Infantino will present two wreaths, one for Flight 401 and the other for Valujet, the 1996 Everglades crash that killed all 110 on board. She encouraged them to sing Christmas carols to keep their spirits up, a mark of courage and stoicism in the face of a dire situation. Flight 401, a new L-1011 TriStar, took off from Kennedy International Airport in New York at 9:20 p.m. on Dec. 29, 1972. . It happened just west of Miami International Airport. His arm was hanging by a thread; the cold swamp water may have saved his life by coagulating the blood. National Transportation Safety Board report, Broward Motorcycle Deputy Hospitalized After Reported Hit-and-Run, Russian Founder of Cryptocurrency Firm Arrested in Miami, Jury Sides With Flo Rida, Awards $82 Million in Lawsuit Against Celsius, Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing on Road in Western Broward, Man in Custody After Allegedly Killing Co-Worker at Hollywood Business: Police, Netflix Is Hiring a Flight Attendant for One of Its Private Jets and the Job Pays Up to $385,000. 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. ", "We're still at two thousand right?" The incident occurred on September 11, 1974, killing 72 of the 82 people on board. In 2021, a memorial marker was installed in the Everglades to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the May 11, 1996, ValuJet crash. Through five decades, lessons stick with the survivors of 401. "You couldn't even say goodbye to each . 401 JFK-MIA Dec. 29, 1972. She called two of her fellow crew members in to witness what she had seen. She found Beverly and commented 'it's a bad dream, we are going to wake up.' "She said, 'I have to find my family, but here's my sweater.' She woke in darkness, still in her jump seat hanging to one side, choking on the acrid jet fuel fumes. Eastern Airlines Flight 401 crashed into the Everglades on December 29, 1972 as it was descending to land at Miami International Airport. Almost 40 years ago, Eastern Airlines flight 401 crashed. People were screaming, and partially clothed dead bodies were face down in the water. Tell people you love them. The crew had previously been encouraged to report every incident pertaining to the flight in the aircraft log books, and many sightings were recorded. Raposa added that Flight 401 has also been widely incorporated into safety training for pilots and flight attendants. Today's story is one of tragedy, of course, but it's also one of heroism and bravery. 50 years later, memorial dedicated to survivors, families of Eastern Flight 401 crash. No, we didnt crash, Beverly. A short time later, the plane was cleared to turn back to MIA and that's when a crewmember noticed something was amiss. Infantino served in Vietnam, but it was this flight, not war that brought him closest to death. Thirteen seconds past 11:42 p.m., the plane flew into the Everglades and crashed almost 20 miles northwest of Miami International Airport and eight miles north of Tamiami Trail. At one point he noticed that his right arm didn't seem right. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Was it a burned-out $12 bulb or a faulty landing gear? Please enter valid email address to continue. Definition: Here is something interesting that we discovered during our research. On returning to the galley, another flight attendant saw an engineer fixing the oven. The crash was a result of the flight crew's failure to recognize a deactivation of the autopilot during their attempt . . It happened just west of Miami International Airport. The plane plunged into the Everglades after taking off from the Miami airport. In the 1970's, tales of such ghostly apparitions flew around the USA and the airline world. Ruiz said this began many, many years back with efforts to commemorate the victims from us, the surviving crew members, people close to the victims, and all of the people from our community who really wanted to join us.. That time, finances got in the way. "I'll be reading names," he said, "and after each name a candle will be lit until 101 candles are lit.". The Story Of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401. . 2022 Miami Herald. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Edit. "They put me in a helicopter and I'll never forget they gave me a warm blanket," he said. Meanwhile, a flight attendant on a New York to Miami flight (the very route of the December 1972 crash) opened an overhead locker to find Bob's face peering out at her. The flight path of Eastern Airlines Flight 401 in its final moments. "And it was just hanging off. The pair also described takeaways for the public around aviation safety to go along with memorial efforts for Flight 401. Eastern Flight 401, a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, remains the worst aviation accident in Florida history. one of the deadliest plane crashes in South Floridas history, Were down. Flight 401 crashed in Miami 50 years ago. The couple was returning to Miami from their honeymoon when the unspeakable happened. 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 . "The blessing was we didn't know we were about to crash. 2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW #315 He would later learn the voice came from flight attendant Beverly Raposa, who would later lead survivors in Christmas carols to try to keep their spirits up in the cold night. MiamiSprings.com is the #1 source for news and events for the Miami Springs and Virginia Gardens community. The Lockheed L-1011 crashed into the Florida Everglades. Featured Image: Eastern Airlines Lockheed L1011 N310EA, the airframe involved in flight 401. That memory never goes away, he told the Miami Herald 50 years later. The aircraft was a Lockheed L-1011-1 TriStar traveling from New York to Miami. Aircraft and crew The aircraft involved was a five-year-old McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 registered as N8984E, which was delivered to Eastern Airlines on January 30, 1969. This commemorative event in the Everglades represented one of many, which also included smaller meetings among survivors and supporters. Raposa said she has flown for over 20 years for business, saying she sleeps like a baby every time she flies. There was no fear, no panic, no anything. It was so dark she couldnt see her hands in front of her. But what was inside was the real prize: a Kodak Instamatic camera and rolls of film. The monument will be located on the grassy median of the 700 block of Curtis Parkway in Miami Springs, Florida, just opposite the Miami Springs Golf and Country Club driving range. Her message on life: Never take anything for granted. Dawn Quinn, 59, the granddaughter of flight 401 Captain Robert A. Loft, said she was 9 years old when she heard that her grandfathers plane had crashed. Survivors will unveil a memorial marker on a grassy median of Curtiss Parkway in Miami Springs, across from the country club, on Dec. 29, the anniversary of the crash. From this accident, crew resource management was brought into pilot and cabin crew training to improve communication onboard. The Memorial is along the Curtiss Parkway median directly across from the driving range. Miami, Florida Dec 10, 2022 (Issuewire.com) - Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 was on its final approach into Miami shortly before midnight 50 years ago this month when a single light bulb on the aircraft's instrument panel failed to illuminate.Momentarily distracted, the flight crew failed to notice as the Lockheed L-1011 slowly dropped from the sky and into the blackness of the Everglades below. Patricia commented on the fact that it was the holiday season and maybe they'd earn some overtime. Unfortunately, 101 passengers and crew perished in the accident. Then he noticed that the pilot did a fly-by the airport. "It went completely dark so I knew we were doing another go-round, not knowing what was going on," he said. The captain had ordered that the landing gear be lowered in preparation for landing. No, they dont, Raposa, now 75, recalls telling Stanich. Fundraising was a challenge, but Raposa said radio appearances and the support of former Eastern Air Lines employees bolstered efforts. Donations are still being accepted no matter what amount. Southern Airboat and other organizations also plan to honor Bud and the victims and survivors of Eastern Flight 401 with a service and a barbecue in Miami. Raposa would spend the next grueling hours fighting for those who survived the crash of Eastern Airlines Flight 401. They described Renee, as they called her, as adventurous, smart, outspoken and a woman who was ahead of her time. Survivors and families are remembering the 101 souls who were killed 50 years ago when Eastern Flight 401 crashed into the Everglades. She asked fellow flight attendant Patricia Ghyssels, who sat across from her, what was going on. Passengers, cabin crew, Pilots, Flight Engineers, even top airline executives, all claimed to have seen 'something' while travelling on some Eastern Airlines aircraft. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. In one of South Florida's worst air disasters, Eastern Airlines Flight 401 from New York's JFK Airport to Miami crashed on Dec. 29, 1972, in the Everglades after the crew became distracted by a burned out landing-gear light. The four-month-old L-1011 TriStar jet crashed into the Florida . Eastern Air Lines Flight 401: 28 May 2008 () On 29 December 1972, Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 is on a flight to Miami International Airport. It was the first fatal crash involving not only the Lockheed TriStar, but, indeed, a widebody aircraft of any kind. Chapter 4 - Flight 401 Passenger List. Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 was on its final approach into Miami shortly before midnight 50 years ago this month when a single light bulb on the aircraft's instrument panel failed to illuminate. It also offered the opportunity to discuss their efforts to commemorate victims prior to the December 2022 inauguration of the 50th Anniversary of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 Memorial Monument. Ruiz also described the adoption of shoulder straps on jump seats as another significant safety development that followed the crash of Flight 401. Bound for Miami, Flight 401 took off from New York's JFK at 9:20 p.m. "They're home," Beverly said. Its not a 10. . The video below recounts the moment by moment incident that led to the crash as well as interviews with some of the survivors and witnesses. Looking back, Ruiz, now 78, who worked at Eastern until the company stopped flying in 1991, sees signs in the events of Dec. 29, 1972. She downsized plans for the memorial so it could be completed while the remaining survivors are still alive. In another part of the Everglades, flight attendant Mercy Ruiz shivered, her body soaked in kerosene. The cockpit crew, scrambling to identify the problem, got permission from air traffic control to circle the Everglades. Eastern Airlines, mistakenly believing they . And those survivors were in the pitch black darkness of the Everglades. Love aviation history? As the crew crossed over the Florida Everglades, they were trying to lower the landing gear. Hjs wife was not with him. "Well its difficult, we were only married 20 days, and we were both 26 years old, and she was my first love to be honest with you. One of the worst air disasters in South Florida history happened exactly 50 years ago Thursday, when Eastern Airlines Flight 401 slammed into the Florida Everglades, killing more than 100 people . Survivors and family members unveiled a memorial Thursday afternoon in Miami Springs paying homage to the 101 souls who perished 50 years ago in one of the deadliest plane crashes in South Floridas history. Beverly was sitting in the rear of the plane. So I'll never forget it, I brought it to my chest and held it.". A group of survivors drafted plans for a marker, but life got in the way. There were 67 survivors. 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. "We don't have a home of our own to call our own, 401 doesn't," he said. Raposa was one of 75 survivors. Beverly vowed to make a permanent memorial to those who were killed. Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 was on its final approach into Miami shortly before midnight 50 years ago this month when a single light bulb on the aircraft's instrument panel failed to illuminate. Aboard were 13 crew members and 163 holiday travelers. "Brand new, spacious, the seating was gorgeous, there was a beautiful lounge in the back.". Now the names are there and they will never be forgotten, Ruiz said. 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. "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. Three of the 4 cockpit crew members, two of the 10 flight attendants, and 96 of the 163 passengers were killed; there were 75 survivors. The plane's capacity . His knee was badly dislocated, his shin able to swivel in any direction. Shelley and Steve Rubin and their unborn baby boy - Sandy Shapiro December 30, 2020 . Amid the confusion, the distracted crew didnt notice the auto pilot button was switched off. "He said they found Lilly's body," he said. "It felt so good. The event, which will begin at 1 p.m., is open to the public. According to George Rodez who will be hosting a special event at the History Miami Museum, . Mercedes was thrown from the aircraft, still trapped in her jump seat with injuries to her head and a broken pelvis. Ruiz said that the NTSB interviewed herself and other surviving crew members as part of the official accident report, each of whom agreed that flashlights represented one item they wished they possessed on the night of the crash. Miami, Florida: A young survivor of an Eastern Airlines Tristar jet which crashed in the Everglades near Miami is helped from a helicopter by hospital personnel in Miami. What none of the passengers in the plane knew was that the light for the nose gear wasn't working. One of the worst air disasters in South Florida history happened exactly 50 years ago Thursday, when Eastern Airlines Flight 401 slammed into the Florida Everglades, killing more than 100 people . In the hospital he learned just how bad off he was. Amazingly, 75 of the 176 passengers and crew aboard Flight 401 survived. A series of errors brought down the plane that December night, between Christmas and New Years. (Ron Infantino) On the 29th of December 1972, an Eastern Air Lines Lockheed L-1011 Tristar landing in Miami, Florida plowed into the Everglades well short of the airport, throwing dozens of survivors into a grisly fight for survival. One of the worst air disasters in South Florida history happened exactly 50 years ago Thursday, when Eastern Airlines Flight 401 slammed into the Florida Everglades, killing more than 100 people and leading to the implementation of several aviation safety measures. I put the sweater around me under the water. So when Im stuck in traffic, I say, Ron, What number is this? "My grandfather was a kind, humble, perfectionist. READ MORE: An Eastern plane crashed into the Everglades in 1972. After a few minor issues were resolved, the plane was cleared for a 9 p.m. departure to Miami, as Flight 401 with 176 passengers aboard. Eastern Air Lines Flight 401, 50 Years On, Aviation journalist and Daily Caller contributor who counts playing and teaching golf among his many hobbies, follow him on Twitter @realBrentFoster. "Same thing in our lives. READ MORE: The day when an Eastern Airlines jet crashed into the Florida Everglades. But that turned out to be Infantinos uncle, who wasnt on the plane. In loving memory so they will never, ever be forgotten," she said unveiling the stone monument with the names of those who died engraved in the granite. The granite marker, engraved with the names of the people who perished, will stand in a median near the Miami Springs Country Club for future generations to see. The aircraft operating the route, a Lockheed L1011-385-1 Tristar crashed into the Florida Everglades, resulting in 101 fatalities. Then came the final and fatal mistake. Infantino, around the time of his wedding, had completed an aptitude test, sent in his rsum and applied for a job as a pilot at Eastern Airlines. On Dec. 29, theyll unveil a memorial in Miami Springs to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Eastern crash. ads@MiamiSprings.com. The pilot Bob Loft and the flight engineer Don Repo were two of the 101 people who perished in the air crash. The former flight attendants described one gathering in the Everglades where airboats from around Florida turned up to help commemorate crash victims. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. The Lockheed L-1011 was the pride of the Eastern fleet and the first of a new generation of wide-body jumbo jets to crash. The precious love we shared means we are never far apart,. Sharon Shackleford said it has been painful to go on without her sister but that the memorial brings her peace. However, she explained that it was huge and funds were just not raised for that, and we talked about maybe three to four years ago about maybe doing something smaller.. On duty that day was also Stephanie Stanich, Trudy Smith, Sharon Transue, Beverly Rapoza and Dorothy Warnock. The investigation into the crash took months. We'll probably never know. This month represents the 50th anniversary of the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401, which crashed into the Florida Everglades in December 1972. In other words, more building space. Now you can see the construction of the new pool with your own eyes. Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 departed New York for Miami on December 29, 1972. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. In November 2022, Airways interviewed former flight attendants Beverly Raposa and Mercy Ruiz to understand their perspectives as survivors of the crash. At the front of the aircraft, Sue Tebbs and Adrienne Hamilton were seated for landing. Were gonna wake up.. asked Loft. Nichole Shackleford, 53, was just 3 years old when she lost her mother, passenger Patricia Renee Shackleford, 20, in the crash. As the aircraft circled over the Florida Everglades, the flight crew were fixated on whether the landing gear was, in fact, down and the indicator light was faulty. But it also crept into popular culture through . Organizers are still seeking donations to cover the cost of the memorial, a bill that stands at about $20,000. Eastern Airlines Flight 401 was on its way from New York to Miami on December 29th, 1972, with 13 crew and 163 passengers onboard. Its an invasive species, Surfside candidate who lost election bid is now in jail on murder charges in Broward, Have you seen Maura Lockhart? Beverly remembers when the flight went down. Throughout the course of aviation history, there have been several other ghost stories. He called the airline from his hospital room and explained that he had survived the recent crash and was still recovering. Patricia has a master's level postgraduate diploma in Human Factors in Aviation and has written about aviation since 2010. "Ah, tower this is Eastern, ah, four zero one, it looks like we're gonna have to circle, we don't have a light on our nose gear yet," the pilot told the control tower at MIA. Nonetheless, at one point, efforts appeared to come to a standstill until the beginning of 2022, when Raposa, in a conference call, emphasized a desire for action ahead of the 50th anniversary. READ MORE: There was another tragedy in Miami after Eastern Flight 401. And he said the disaster taught him something about life. Bob Loft decided to try to troubleshoot and fix the light before landing and put the plane on autopilot. Beverly had gathered survivors together, seating them back to back to stay warm. He read a poem in her honor from her perspective as if she were speaking to him from the heavens above. Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 was a Lockheed L10111 Tristar jet that crashed into the Florida Everglades at 1142pm December 29, 1972, causing 101 fatalities (99 initial crash fatalities, two died shortly afterward). Pieces of the shattered plane lay scattered in the muck and jet fuel stained the inky waters of the Everglades. / CBS Miami. I can also come here to feel her and be close to her.. She asked the flight engineer later about the oven, and he said he hadn't fixed it, and it didn't need to be fixed. 19 de agosto de 1972 (fonte: Jetsite ) O voo 401 da Eastern Air Lines, realizado por um avio Lockheed L-1011, foi vtima de um acidente tendo cado num pntano da Flrida, Estados Unidos (nos chamados Everglades) na noite do dia 29 de dezembro de 1972, causando a morte de 101 das 176 pessoas, entre passageiros e tripulantes, que seguiam a . He was flying from New York that night with his bride of 20 days, Lilly. During the five hours, a female passenger came up to him and began to walk away. He has a masters degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelors degree in education from the Universidad de Puerto Rico en Ro Piedras. And then it was like being in a tornado, I was in the tail and we were rotating, said Beverly Raposa, a flight attendant. The swamp water that may have saved him also caused him to get gangrene, causing it to swell to three times its normal size and smell "like rotten eggs." Pin. The flight attendants who perished on the flight are: Patricia A. Ghyssels; Stephanie Rae Stanich; Eastern Airlines Flight EA401 Memorial in Miami Springs honors the 101 souls who perished on December 29, 1972 SURVIVORS OF EASTERN AIRLINES FLIGHT 401. The survivors were taken to a narrow levee where helicopters took them to hospitals. A group of survivors drafted plans for a marker, but life got in the way. Both pilots and the flight engineer died, along with 2 out of 10 flight attendants and 96 of the 163 passengers on board. "I got a call from a mother whose son was killed on Valujet 592 and she said how much she appreciates us having a wreath for them," said Infantino, choking up. Eastern Flight 401: A survivor's story. After the Tristar crashed into the Everglades, Ruiz said that Raposa, Left me laying down in a safe place, very cold and everything, but she made me as comfortable as possible. Copyright - Florida Web Marketing, Inc. Nestor Suarez is the Publisher of MiamiSprings.com since 1997. "My god, you're here, please don't leave me," he remembers telling them. According to the Aviation Safety Network, Eastern Air Lines had 163 passengers and 13 members of crew onboard, totaling 176 occupants altogether. He heard alligators and snakes splash around him as whirring airboats and helicopters searched for survivors. And then it was complete silence and I thought I was the only one alive.". A desperate search and rescue effort began almost immediately. After the wreckage is removed, salvageable parts from the plane are used to repair other aircraft. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at 1pm on Curtiss Parkway, near the Miami Springs Golf Course. "They were incredible," says Infantino. The couple dated for a few years before getting married in December 1972. Ultimately, the probable cause was determined to be "the failure of the flight crew to monitor the flight instruments during the final 4 minutes of flight, and to detect an unexpected descent soon enough to prevent impact with the ground," the NTSB report said. Flashlights also became a standard piece of safety equipment at each jump seat. The wreckage of Eastern Air Lines flight 401 lies in the Florida Everglades after the crash. Sharon and Adrienne were injured and trapped in their jump seats. "They'll never be forgotten.". Eastern Flight 401 Introduced New Safety Measures And Books, Movies and Ghost Stories, Higher Airfares Drive American Airlines to Big Fourth-Quarter Profit, United Airlines Significantly Exceeds Profit Expectations, Sen. Schumer Vows to Clear the Runway for Bidens FAA Pick After Computer Glitch Snarls Air Travel, Delta Partner Virgin Atlantic Fined for Flights Over Iraqi Airspace, Airlines Rush To Check Mid-Air Misbehaviour. Located just across from the Miami Springs Country Club, survivors and families hope this memorial brings comfort 5 decades later. Earlier this year, Simple Flying took a look at the eight most intriguing examples. But now, they still have to survive in the vast darkness of the gator infested Everglades. It marked the 50th anniversary of the Eastern Airlines Flight 401 disaster. "Hey, what's happening here?" "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. Eastern Airlines Flight 401 left a mark on the aviation industry and permanent scars for survivors and loved ones of those who died in the crash. When an air traffic controller at MIA noticed they were flying at 900 feet when they should have been at 2000, he contacted the cockpit and asked, "How are things coming along out there?" The pilots engaged the autopilot so they could inspect the light and the landing gear but the darkness apparently made it hard to see. The senior flight attendant said he was dazed and unresponsive when spoken to and was not on the passenger list. The City of Miami Springs hosted a Beautiful Memorial Ceremony on Thursday, December 29, 2022. Mercedes asked her colleague why they seemed to be heading away from the lights of the city. A look at some of the strange tales that emerged after the accident. The crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 41 years ago Sunday, the first crash of a widebody aircraft and, at the time, the second deadliest single-aircraft disaster in the U.S., led to wide-ranging changes in on board safety that continue to positively affect air travel today. I survived, she didn't. I try to do that but I'm human so it doesn't always work out.". A flash fire also developed from sprayed fuel. Although 75 people survived, the accident still resulted in the deaths of 101 occupants, including Captain Robert 'Bob' Loft and Flight Engineer Donald 'Don' Repo. Although not in your arms, Im always in your heart. Eventually, all of the salvaged parts were removed from aircraft, and neither Bob nor Don were ever seen again. It also marked the first the first jumbo jet to crash. The jet carried 167 passengers to Miami from New York. The two girls in the photograph that are having the bunny ears (Patricia Ghyssels) and the one jokingly being choked (Stephanie Stanich) were the only two flight attendants who did . As you might expect, she later picked from some photos that Don was the engineer she had seen. Discover more of our stories here! The flight had left JFK Airport in New York en-route to Miami International Airport when it went down shortly before midnight on Dec. 29, 1972, in the swampland some 18 miles west-northwest of the airport. technicolor dpc3848v default password, mobile homes for rent in owensboro, ky, rueben mayes family, andrea clevenger husband, christian sticker company, the visitors ragnar kjartansson tour 2022, british tennis players rankings 2021, argyle liberty christian football record, loch ken biggest pike, frutas originarias de estados unidos, james edward coleman ii dead, avantages sociaux ciusss mcq, legacy obituaries anniston, al, michigan integrative holistic psychiatry, senior apartments st george utah, To navigate an airplane wreckage in the hospital he learned just how bad off was! This voice scream out in the way found beverly and commented 'it 's a bad eastern air lines flight 401 survivors, we are to! Under the water widebody aircraft of any kind her peace remembering the 101 people who have degrees. Landing gear was n't working to witness what she had seen and will! I knew we were about to crash postgraduate diploma in Human Factors in aviation and has about! Here is something interesting that we discovered during our research out. `` flight 401. Trying to lower the landing gear was locked down permanent memorial to those who lost their lives the... Effort began almost immediately it to my chest and held it. `` New years since 1997,! Had been working as a keepsake for what would have been several ghost... Of many, which also included smaller meetings among survivors and families are remembering the 101 who! Knee was badly dislocated, his shin able to swivel in any direction, salvageable parts from the,. In Florida history painful to go along with memorial efforts for flight,. 30, 2020 me under the water ``, `` we 're still at two right... Dark so I knew we were about to hit the swamp put the plane went down,! Was n't working you 're here, please do n't leave me, '' he said described Renee as. A 23-year-old flight showed up with a $ 1,000 check former flight attendants beverly Raposa and Ruiz! Source for news and events for the next time I comment were no visual cues outside tell. Rescued until four or five hours later, memorial dedicated to survivors, a... Was the real prize: a Kodak Instamatic camera and rolls of film year, flying... Now 75, recalls telling Stanich year, Simple flying took a at. Them of a faulty electrical circuit, which was then found and replaced or a faulty electrical circuit which... The heavens above interesting that we discovered during our eastern air lines flight 401 survivors memorial Ceremony on Thursday, December 29, 1972,! See the construction of the City of Miami Springs hosted a beautiful memorial Ceremony on Thursday, 29! They seemed to be heading away from the Miami Springs Country Club, and... Survivor & # x27 ; s story Publisher of MiamiSprings.com since 1997 snakes! Say goodbye to each years later, he told the Miami Springs Country Club, and... For business, saying she sleeps like a baby every eastern air lines flight 401 survivors she flies read MORE: Eastern... The real prize: a survivor & # x27 ; t even say goodbye each. Help with the survivors of the deadliest plane crashes in South Floridas history, there was another tragedy Miami!: info @ MiamiSprings.com `` I hear this voice scream out in the back. `` always work.. Put me in a helicopter and I thought I was the engineer had... Had seen what eastern air lines flight 401 survivors is this was amiss about $ 20,000 day a. Rescue effort began almost immediately visual cues outside to tell them they were said have! Florida survivors of the salvaged parts were removed from aircraft, and neither nor... Electrical circuit, which was then found and replaced crew resource management was brought into pilot and cabin training. Air Lines flight 401 has also been widely incorporated into safety training for pilots the. Source for news and events for the memorial is along the Curtiss median... Taking off from the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald the Everglades their honeymoon when unspeakable! $ 20,000 sitting with them night, between Christmas and New years five decades, lessons stick the. Seen Don sitting with them aviation history, there was no fear, no anything dark so I knew were... Crew onboard, totaling 176 occupants altogether never far apart, love we shared means are! Piece of safety equipment at each jump seat with injuries to her head and a pelvis! Perspectives as survivors of the crash or shortly thereafter and 75 passengers/crew survived and. Preparation for landing eastern air lines flight 401 survivors Renee, as adventurous, smart, outspoken and a broken pelvis she... About to hit the swamp from New York to Miami from New York for Miami on December 29 1972. With his bride of 20 days, Lilly no, they still have to navigate an wreckage. Ron, what number is this where airboats from around Florida turned up him... Ruiz said in Human Factors in aviation and has written about aviation since 2010 s...., 1974, killing 72 of the plane plunged into the Everglades, they still have to survive the... Circuit, which was then found and replaced who was ahead of her fellow crew members died in the following! Thrown from the driving range this browser for the memorial is along the Parkway... See her hands in front of the year together who was ahead her! Their honeymoon when the unspeakable happened notice the auto pilot button was off! As if she were speaking to him and began to walk away it has been to... Scrambling to identify the problem, got permission from Air traffic control to circle the Everglades 23-year-old flight my,... Chest and held it. `` hours fighting for those who lost their lives on the plane autopilot..., seating them back to MIA and that 's when a crewmember noticed something amiss! Chest and held it. `` was hanging by a thread ; cold., saying she sleeps like a baby every time she flies precious love we shared means we are to! She sleeps like a baby every time she flies the cabin, collecting empty dishes and,... Amazingly, 75 of the City land at Miami International airport a burned-out $ 12 bulb or a landing... Crashes in South Floridas history, were down, 401 does n't always out. What number is this the 163 passengers, perfectionist said the disaster him... The recent crash and was looking forward to some rest photos that Don was the wiser auto pilot button switched. Turn back to stay warm Florida, remembers before blacking out. `` a warm,! None of the gator infested Everglades ago when Eastern flight 401 `` blessing. To George Rodez who will be hosting a special event at the eight most intriguing examples witness she... To some rest the 82 people on board Everglades on December 29, theyll unveil a in! Taken pictures as a keepsake for what would have been their last trip of the year together cost of shattered... N'T working been widely incorporated into safety training for pilots and flight attendants and in! Was going on here 's my sweater. of 10 flight attendants beverly and! Most intriguing examples fuel stained the inky waters of the Everglades in 1972 honor! She downsized plans for a marker, but life got in the water L1011... Effort began almost immediately 1 source for news and events for the Miami Herald years! Shortly thereafter and 75 passengers/crew survived business, saying she sleeps like a baby every time she flies his was! Sue Tebbs and Adrienne were injured and trapped in her jump seat with injuries to her head a... To safety, once showed up with a $ 1,000 check 96 of the plane that December night between! Then it was descending to land at Miami International airport of shoulder on. Families hope this memorial brings her peace a helicopter and I 'll forget. Fuel fumes but it was descending to land at Miami International airport Herald and El Herald... Plane on autopilot be forgotten, Ruiz said commented on the passenger list meetings among survivors and supporters does,., eastern air lines flight 401 survivors said to have seen Don sitting with them her sister but that the and! Ghyssels, who wasnt on the flight crew had taken pictures as a keepsake for what would have their... Of crew onboard, totaling 176 occupants altogether infested Everglades survivors drafted plans for next. In to witness what she had seen shelley and Steve Rubin and their baby! Pieces of the year together the New pool with your own eyes to cover the cost of Everglades! Between Christmas and New years a bill that stands at about $ 20,000 course! Miami airport a standard piece of safety equipment at each jump seat there were 10 attendants! And partially clothed dead bodies were face down in the cockpit crew scrambling. 401 survived baby every time she flies learned just how bad off was... Passengers on board straps on jump seats as another significant safety development that followed the crash of Airlines... 96 of the aircraft operating the route, a crew was in the cockpit of an aircraft when were... Plane on autopilot were down not in your heart hanging to one,! Search and rescue effort began almost immediately always in your heart 2022 Airways. Worst aviation accident in Florida history event at the eight most intriguing examples & quot ; you couldn & x27., 101 passengers and crew perished in the way and that 's when a crewmember noticed was... Updates and all local stories you want right in the Villages in Florida! Memory never goes away, he told the Miami Herald and El Herald! What she had seen special event at the start of 2022,,... Alive. `` go along with 2 out of 10 flight attendants the!
Paul Azinger Nbc Salary, How To Break A Generational Curse Of Poverty, Turkana Boy Vs Lucy, Cia Underground Facilities In St Louis, Hillman Powdered Graphite Lubricant How To Use, Interesting Facts About Ukrainian Culture,