Michigan marks 37 years since tragic Northwest Flight 255 crash in Romulus

[Siwsan]

I will always remember this tragic event because of the amazing survival of a 4 year old girl.
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Many still remember the tragedy that struck Michigan 37 years ago — the deadliest plane crash in the state's history.

On Aug. 16, 1987, Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed mere minutes after takeoff beneath the Interstate 94 overpass on Middlebelt Road near Detroit Metropolitan Airport. In total, 156 individuals were killed, and a sole survivor was pulled from the wreckage — 4-year-old Cecelia Cichan of Tempe, Arizona, now known as Cecelia Crocker.

The flight was headed to Phoenix, where a layover was scheduled. Its final destination was Santa Ana, California.

The flight was cleared for takeoff at 8:44 p.m. Witnesses reported that the aircraft struggled to gain altitude. Shortly after takeoff, "the wings of the airplane rolled to the left and the right about 35 inches in each direction," according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The plane's instability caused the left wing to strike a light pole beyond the runway, resulting in significant damage to the wing. The plane then struck several other light poles and the roof of a rental car building before ultimately crashing around 8:46 p.m. onto Middlebelt in Romulus.

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2024/08/16/northwest-airlines-flight-255-crash-detroit-michigan-anniversary/74824838007/

[multigraincracker]

1. I lived about a mile from the crash.

Someone put a sign in their yard that said, Fly North West Non Stop to Middlebelt. I remember the stories about the little girl that survived.

[Siwsan]

2. I also remember the two big plane crashes in 1978/79

The PSA flight that crashed in San Diego, Sept 25, 1978 and the American flight that crashed in Chicago May 25, 1979.

When I was stationed in San Diego I knew several people who were called in to help with the search and recovery of that PSA flight. What they told me was horrific.

I finished "A" school in June of '78 and was stationed in Iceland. Then I was stationed back in San Diego as an "A" school instructor in June of '79. I changed planes in Chicago.

I was more tense on those flights than I was on the one I took right after they started flying passenger planes, again, after 9/11.

[multigraincracker]

3. Wish I could afford to live in San Diego.

11 1/2 months of great weather. Use to visit a friend there every couple of years. Always 74 degrees.

[Siwsan]

4. It was a nice place to be stationed, despite earthquakes.

Back then it was safe to go to Tijuana. And I LOVED going to the zoo.