WASHINGTON – A tragic airplane accident occurred in freezing temperatures, triggering a heroic search and rescue operation on the partly frozen Potomac River.

Almost 43 years ago, on the same date, disaster struck when Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into icy waters shortly after taking off from the same airport where another passenger jet collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday night.

The ill-fated aircraft was heading to south Florida from what was then Washington National Airport. It collided with the 14th Street Bridge near the White House, crushing several vehicles and resulting in the deaths of four drivers.

On January 13, 1982, 70 passengers and four of the five crew members aboard the Boeing 737 lost their lives, according to the FAA. However, five others managed to escape the submerged and damaged plane during a dramatic rescue that was broadcast live on television.

The incident took place during a severe winter storm that had left Washington covered in heavy snow and freezing temperatures. A nearby TV crew captured the harrowing scenes of the crash as they were stuck in traffic.

As the plane struggled to gain altitude, it struck the large bridge connecting Arlington to the District, which was heavily congested at the time, before plummeting into the water.

The unfolding drama captivated the attention of Washington and the entire nation that afternoon.

Some of the remarkable scenes included:

The Potomac engulfing the plane, with only a small portion of its tail visible. Survivors struggling to stay afloat amidst the daring rescue attempts. Two individuals hanging onto separate ropes from the same helicopter. A truck precariously dangling over the bridge after being hit by the aircraft.

Reasons for the 1982 crash

Investigations later revealed that severe weather and human error were significant factors in the crash.

A massive snowstorm had covered Washington in ice and snow, resulting in airport delays at what is now known as Reagan Washington National Airport. This led to multiple de-icing procedures for the airline crew.

In Flight 90’s case, the plane was not de-iced sufficiently, a concern exacerbated by the lengthy wait for takeoff, as stated by the FAA.

“Loss of control was determined to be due to reduction in aerodynamic lift resulting from ice and snow that had accumulated on the airplane’s wings during prolonged ground operation at National Airport,” one FAA report explained.

Essentially, the aircraft operated by the now-defunct Air Florida “struggled to gain altitude and ultimately stalled,” concluded another FAA report. When the pilots attempted to clear the bridge, they failed and hit it with full force, according to a Federal Aviation Administration “lessons learned” report.

“People were screaming, and then there was silence,” recalled Nikki Felch, a survivor of the crash, in an interview with the local News4 station afterwards.

Cameras documented heartbreaking moments, including footage of Priscilla Tirado, a passenger who lost her husband and 2-month-old baby in the disaster.

Cold and disoriented from jet fuel, Tirado was barely hanging onto a life preserver before she lost her grip. Lenny Skutnik, a bystander working for the government, saw her plight, jumped into the water, and pulled Tirado to safety. All of this was captured on camera.

The other survivors were also saved thanks to the bravery of National Park Service workers and everyday citizens like Skutnik, who rushed to assist.

One of the day’s most notable heroes was Arland D. Williams, Jr., a passenger who initially survived the crash. Tragically, he is believed to have perished while trying to save others.

Rescue operators reported that Williams heroically passed the helicopter’s lifelines to five fellow passengers.

In June 1983, former President Ronald Reagan honored Williams, a 46-year-old Federal Reserve bank examiner from Atlanta, as a “hero who sacrificed himself for others.”

“You can take great pride in your son,” Reagan told Williams’ family during a ceremony at the Oval Office where he posthumously presented Williams with the Coast Guard’s Gold Lifesaving Medal.

Now, 43 years later, those who walk by the bridge can see its new name. It has been officially renamed the Arland D. Williams Jr. Memorial Bridge.