Figure 5-9. Air Florida Mishap Abstract

CHAPTER FIVE

AVIATION WEATHER

The key to flying through turbulence is proper attitude control. Both pitch and bank should

be controlled by reference to the attitude gyro indicator. Extreme gusts may cause large changes

in pitch or bank. To avoid overstressing the aircraft, do not make abrupt control inputs. Use

moderate control inputs to reestablish the desired attitude.

Severe vertical gusts may cause appreciable altitude deviations. Allow altitude to vary.

Sacrifice altitude to maintain desired attitude. Do not chase the altimeter.

505.

AIRCRAFT ICING

Summary of Air Florida Mishap

On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 727-222 (N62AF), was a scheduled

flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from Washington National Airport, Washington D.C.

There were 74 passengers, including 3 infants, and 5 crewmembers on board. The flight's

scheduled departure time was delayed about 1 hour 45 minutes because of moderate to

heavy snowfall, which necessitated the temporary closing of the airport.

Following takeoff from runway 36, which was made with snow and/or ice adhering to the

aircraft, the aircraft at 1:31 EST crashed into the barrier wall of the northbound span of

the 14th Street Bridge, which connects the District of Columbia with Arlington County,

Virginia, and plunged into the ice-covered Potomac River. It came to rest on the west

side of the bridge 0.75 nm from the departure end of runway 36. Four passengers and one

crewmember survived the crash.

When the aircraft hit the bridge, it struck seven occupied vehicles and then tore away a

section of the bridge barrier wall and bridge railing. Four persons in the vehicles were

killed; four were injured.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of this

accident was the flight crew's failure to use engine anti-ice during ground operation and

takeoff, their decision to takeoff with snow/ice on the airfoil surfaces of the aircraft, and

the captain's failure to reject the takeoff during the early stage when his attention was

called to anomalous engine instrument readings. Contributing to the accident were the

prolonged ground delay between deicing and the receipt of ATC takeoff clearance during

which the airplane was exposed to continual precipitation, the known inherent pitch up

characteristics of the B-727 aircraft when the leading edge is contaminated with even

small amounts of snow or ice, and the limited experience of the flight crew in jet transport

winter operations.

Figure 5-9 Air Florida Mishap Abstract

Figure 5-9 graphically demonstrates that icing poses a serious threat to aviation. No matter

which part of the world home base is located, icing can become a hazard to any phase of flight,

not just the takeoff or landing phase. Aircraft icing is classified into two main groups: structural

and engine icing.

5-12

Weather Hazards of Turbulence, Icing, Ceilings, Visibility, and Ash Clouds