Air Florida Flight 90 was a tragic plane that crashed into the Potomac River shortly after takeoff from Washington, D.C. to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 13, 1982. The Boeing 737-222 crashed into the ice-covered river after hitting the 14th Street Bridge during takeoff. In this crash, 74 of the 79 people on board and 4 people on the bridge were killed; only 5 survived.

Causes of the crash
The main causes of the accident include pilot error and inadequate de-icing. The take-off was delayed for about 1 hour and 45 minutes due to heavy snowfall. During this time, ice accumulated on the wings and engine intakes. The pilots did not activate the engine anti-ice systems before take-off and did not adequately check the exterior of the aircraft. These omissions led to the aircraft’s inability to generate sufficient lift during takeoff, causing it to stall.
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Rescue and Heroism
One of the five survivors, Arland D. Williams Jr. sacrificed his own life by giving his life vest to other passengers during the helicopter rescue. Because of this selfless act, the bridge hit by the plane was named after him.

Consequences and Impacts
This tragic accident led to significant changes in aviation safety. Stricter regulations were introduced on flight operations in winter conditions, anti-icing procedures and pilot training.

Following the accident, the Air Florida airline suffered serious reputational damage and went bankrupt within a few years.

This event is remembered in aviation history as both a tragic accident and an example of the resilience and sacrifice of the human spirit.