USAir Jet Crashes into House near Charlotte-Douglas International Airport

Strategic Insights -

A USAir DC-9 jet, carrying 55 people, crashed into a house near Charlotte-Douglas International airport in a thunderstorm on a fateful night, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 people and injuring many others. The plane, which took off from Columbia, S.C., as USAir Flight 1016, was unable to land due to poor visibility, and witnesses described the chaotic scene as people ran from the aircraft, screaming and trying to find their loved ones. The crash site, about 50 to 75 yards from a Baptist church, was sealed off, and the National Transportation Safety Board began an investigation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The USAir DC-9 jet was carrying 55 people, including crew members, when it crashed into a house near Charlotte-Douglas International airport.
  • At least 18 people were killed in the crash, and many others were injured, with some reports of people being trapped in the crumbled tail section of the plane.
  • The plane had been unable to land due to poor visibility, and witnesses described the chaotic scene as people ran from the aircraft, screaming and trying to find their loved ones.
  • The crash site, about 50 to 75 yards from a Baptist church, was sealed off, and the National Transportation Safety Board began an investigation.
  • The USAir plane had hit a number of telephone poles and crashed near a house, with part of the fuselage on top of the house.
  • The Carolinas Medical Center received 14 adults from the crash site, including three of the plane's crew members, with most of the victims having external and inhalation burns and internal injuries.
  • One person was sent to a burn center in Chapel Hill, N.C., and a woman died at the hospital due to her injuries.

Statistics:

  • 55 people aboard the plane when it crashed.
  • At least 18 people killed in the crash.
  • 33 people taken to area hospitals for treatment.
  • 4 people reported missing after the crash.
  • 14 adults received at the Carolinas Medical Center, including 3 crew members.
  • 1 person sent to a burn center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
  • 1 woman died at the hospital due to her injuries.

Sources:

  • Kathleen Bergen, Federal Aviation Administration, public affairs manager in Atlanta (February 1, 1994): Officials said the plane had been unable to land for "whatever reason" and that the aircraft was executing a missed approach when it crashed.
  • Jerry Orr, airport director (no date given in the original text): At least 18 people had been killed in the crash, according to the Associated Press.
  • Scott White, spokesman for the Carolinas Medical Center (no date given in the original text): The hospital received 14 adults from the crash site, including 3 crew members, with most of the victims having external and inhalation burns and internal injuries.
  • Reuters news service, NBC News (no date given in the original text): Eyewitness Connie Abrams described seeing people running from the aircraft, with "their bones sticking out" and "blood everywhere."
  • AP, Associated Press (no date given in the original text): Rev. Phillip Robinson described watching the crash and seeing a man with his clothes on fire running from the plane yelling for help.
  • WBTV, Charlotte television station (no date given in the original text): Some passengers might be trapped in the crumbled tail section of the plane.