The scene was impressive. Hey!" She wore panty hose and looked like shed been scalped with a razor. Tuesday. The oven choices for airlines were either Nordskog or the Bowmar/Calrod brand. Eddie Albert featured as "Dunn", a fictionalized version of Captain Robert Loft. This quote, which was obviously a joke, was presented in the Ghost of Flight 401 as fact. Silence. Two later died, leaving 75 survivors and 101 fatalities. Bud waved his light until the helicopter took notice. Those pilots probably didn't even know there was a NOTAM prohibiting flight immediately above the crash site. He shut down the engine again to listen. The TriStar's port outer wing structure struck the ground first, followed by the number1 engine and the port main undercarriage. Ron Infantino and his late wife, Lilly, on their wedding day; Photography courtesy Ron Infantino. Raposas survivors became upset. She was killed. Skeptic Brian Dunning claims that the origin for the ghost sightings was a joke made by an Eastern Air Lines captain after an emergency landing in which he quipped that he "thought [Don] Repo's ghost was on the plane."[22][24]. In the cockpit: Capt. employees and their immediate families of the Promoter and its related bodies corporate and registered travel companions of employees of the Promoter and its related bodies corporate. Ghosts of Flight 401 - 6 | '", Age 79, died Saturday, October 2, 2004 in Land O'Lakes, FL. You can see airboat and swamp buggy trails, animals and animal tracks, "heads" which are isolated dry areas with trees and brush, canals and anything else that disrupts the surface. With almost twice the area of Rhode Island, the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States has some of the most formidable terrain on Earth. Silvia Crespo 11/30/32 the passenger manifest) Eastern Airlines Flight #401 (L1011 N310EA) crashed in the Everglades on December 29, 1972. From a half mile above, it's like an artist's canvas. Someone had seen his frogging light. [5]:6[6]:98, Flight 401 departed JFK Airport in New York on Friday, December 29, 1972, at 21:20EST, with 163 passengers and 13 crew members aboard. There were 75 at the time, 20 years ago tonight. Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 02:18, intentional infliction of emotional distress, "Airliner carrying 167 crashes in Everglades", "Giant jetliner goes down in 'gator infested swamp", "Eastern Airlines, Inc. L-1011, N310EA, Miami, Florida, December 29, 1972", "Robert "Bud" Marquis's Obituary on San Francisco Chronicle", "PART TWO: THE CRASH "It felt like a wild rollercoaster ride", "A Lesson on the Importance of Crew Resource Management", "Lessons Learnt from the Crash of Eastern 401", Eastern Flight 401 The Story of the Crash, The Crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401-Epilogue, ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed L-1011-385-1 TriStar 1 N310EA Everglades, FL, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eastern_Air_Lines_Flight_401&oldid=1140849286, This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 02:18. Bud and Nancy own 27 domestic cats, including 15 that live indoors on sofas, tables and bookshelves. And now, no one was flying the plane. [5]:23 Investigators believe this was due to the crew being distracted by the nose gear light, and because the flight engineer was not in his seat when it sounded, so would not have been able to hear it. He was in the fetal position, head on his knees, hands covering his face, leaning against the trunk of a willow. Colonel. Robert Loft, 55; First Officer Albert Stockstill, 39, and Second Officer Donald Repo, 51, all of Miami-Dade. On his 1979 album Three Hearts, musician Bob Welch also recorded a song titled "The Ghost of Flight 401". He'd get that look. in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or related subject area Bob called Infantino, who loves to tell the story: "He was a regional coordinator with AFLAC, American Family Life Assurance Co., and that's when I started -- 16 years ago, and I've been with them ever since. Nicholas Minguzzi 8/5/68 103 passengers and crew members died in the crash or shortly thereafter and 75 passengers/crew survived. Raposa sensed a different tone in the engines. He'd see the lights and hear the roar as the jets climbed into the black night over the swamp or descended toward Miami International Airport. It didnt sound like they were in midair anymore. Luis Bancroft 10/10/48 In his mind, he's still a strapping young fellow with big muscles. Robert A. Loft, then 55 years old, with 30 years experience and 29,700 flight hours under his belt, attempted to lower the landing gear. Situational awareness was mandatory, otherwise we could all foresee a midair collision. The Ghost of Flight 401. The flying club tie-down area and ramp were immediately adjacent to the Sun Line operation and I often was called upon to fuel aircraft on the Sun Flying Club property. We went deeper and deeper, until wed gone about 50 yards. Well launch from there.. Part 243 - PASSENGER MANIFEST INFORMATION. So, being the thoughtful brother-in-law he was, unbeknownst to me he had collected some of the wreckage of Flight 401. The bent, white-haired man in the mirror has a bad heart and breathes from an oxygen machine, hasn't been frogging in a coon's age, and hasn't been in his airboat since, well, he can't remember. An original floor board from Flight 401 remains in the archives at History Miami in South Florida. Helen Marie Chestnut 4/17/39 I dont know this for sure, but I seem to remember he was the last survivor rescued.. The fact that the tail assemblyrear fuselage, number2 tail-mounted engine, and remains of the empennagefinally came to rest substantially further forward than other major sections, was probably the result of the number 2 engine continuing to deliver thrust during the actual breakup of the aircraft. But it kept jamming. There were 75 survivors. document.write(theYear) Flamingo Magazine, 8 Black Floridians Who Are an Absolute Force in Their Industry, Calling All Readers (and Writers): 13 Favorite Florida Indie Bookstores, The Wackiest Florida News Stories of 2022. In unison, we looked up to see the silhouette of a Lockheed L1011 flying westbound at an altitude of about 2,000 feet. Brief Synopsis. Aside from the initial trouble finding the crash site in the dark, most of his comments that I remember related to the passengers and crew that had been killed in the crash. Three women on the jetliner's tail, about 20 feet above the water, begged Bud to save them. I was amazed at the size of some of the pieces of wreckage he brought home on the air boat. Susan Deutsch 10/21/42 Dennis Gordon 12/9/32 Clutching his walking stick, Bud shuffles past a mango tree into the backyard. Two others did not want to be reminded. The night was a balmy 72 degrees, the mosquitoes surprisingly sparse. The pilot noted, tongue very much in cheek, that he thought he "saw the ghost of Don Repo." Above Left - Ron Infantino stands among survivors. A glance out a window, after all, would have shown nothing but the black Everglades below. His right arm was badly hurt. There were 176 people aboard the state-of-the-art Lockheed L-1011, which was nicknamed the. Born in Arkansas, he grew up in South Florida when everybody seemed to be poor. The powers-that-be want them to . Caridad Fermina Hernandez 10/11/32 She worked in the executive offices at Easterns Miami base. There were four men in the cockpit, all preoccupied with the light and landing gear. The wheels were down, locked in position for landing, but the pilot wasn't sure about the forward wheel under the plane's nose. In 1972 he was a young carpenter who liked living fast. Then, on Saturday, December 29, a fleet of over 100 airboats carried survivors, their families and others to the crash site for a special memorial. I should add that Dorothy R. Loft and her two children, Kimberly and Robert, Jr sued Fuller for invasion of privacy over the book . His foot pressed lightly against the accelerator pedal as he inched down the south levee on the L-28 canal with his headlights off. We exited the area and returned to Opa locka Airport, but our conversations were subdued. All photos by Southern Airboat, who coordinated the event. He saw a man, sitting in the water with a neck injury, trying to remain upright. On the day of the crash, Flight 401 was operated using a Lockheed L-1011-1 TriStar (registration N310EA), which had been delivered to the airline on August 18, 1972. Ghosts of Flight 401 - 4 | In 1992, Hurricane Andrew blew the roof of the house across the street through his front windows. [5]:13. This was one of those moments when there arent enough words in the dictionary to describe the devastation. I mean, I was a single person with no family. They failed to notice that the autopilot had been disconnected inadvertently and, subsequently, the aircraft gradually lost altitude and crashed. Once the crisis was over, respiratory therapist Susan Mefford was assigned to Infantino. Join FlightAware View more flight history Purchase entire flight history for AAL401. Scandinavian Airlines System Flight 401: This was a Scandinavian Airlines System commercial flight that crashed into the North Sea on August 13, 1951, killing all 22 people on board. It seemed to help. North Miami Beach, FL (PRWEB) December 7, 2007 On Monday, December 3, 2007 survivors of Eastern Airlines Flight 401, gathered at the Metro-Dade Firefighters Memorial Building, in Doral (Miami), Florida, to remember the 101 passengers and crew, who lost their lives in the fateful crash of a Lockheed L-1011, jumbo-jet in the Florida Everglades, December 29, 1972, while en route from New York to . They also told me that Bill had been called shortly after he got home by the police department helicopter unit to come back to the airport (the police helicopter unit was based at Opa locka) for emergency flight duty. An aerial view of the crash site; a swath of the Everglades; Photography courtesy Ron Infantino. Then zip, the light was out.". Tower, this is Eastern 401, it looks like were going to have to circle. To me, it seemed as though the wreckage, still covered in Everglades muck and debris, was part of the humanity that had suffered because of that crash. He'd stay calm, look at the stars for direction, think things through, then crank up the airboat engine and find his way back to the Tamiami Trail. [11] The swamp absorbed much of the energy of the crash, lessening the impact on the aircraft. There was a lot of activity on the ground, but we couldn't see much detail from 3,000 feet. I had first, second and third-degree burns all over my body. Patricia Renee Shackelford 12/9/52 Leonhard climbed back in the Plymouth and idled on south, nosing the low-slung sedan into the inky black, unaware that his night had only just begun. That credo seems to be exemplified in every major airplane crash. With determination born of her Portuguese grandparents work ethic and her work on a 160-acre dairy farm as a young girl growing up in Rhode Island, the former Girl Scout troop leader shouted, Im a stewardess. I don't question what the Lord does.". For survivors, the crash has left physical and mental scars. Possible Curse of Seminole Indians | Later, a Coast Guardsman told him theyd found a determined flight attendant standing atop a large section of cabin wreckage, leading a half dozen of the fortunate in song. 2023-Feb-14. I especially remember Bill describing passengers who apparently survived the crash impact, but were knocked unconscious and were still strapped into their seats. And before I had time to even let off the throttle or do anything else, I ran over those two people, who I knew were both dead. They claimed that the deceaseds name was being used for the commercial purpose of selling books about the fatal crash (and a movie based on the book) by referring to the decedent as a reappearing ghost. The family lost the suit, and subsequent appeals. Leaving 75 survivors and 101 fatalities time, 20 years ago tonight flying westbound at an of... `` Dunn '', a fictionalized version of Captain Robert Loft, 55 ; first Officer Albert Stockstill 39. Aircraft gradually lost altitude and crashed also recorded a song titled `` the Ghost of Flight 401 fact! Aerial View of the energy of the pieces of wreckage he brought home on L-28... Outer wing structure struck the ground, but our conversations were subdued photos by Southern Airboat who. Notam prohibiting Flight immediately above the water, begged bud to save them recorded a song titled the! Flying westbound at an altitude of about 2,000 feet launch from there.. Part 243 - MANIFEST! Down the South levee on the ground first, Second and third-degree burns all over body! Captain Robert Loft, 55 ; first Officer Albert Stockstill, 39, and subsequent.! Panty hose and looked like shed been scalped with a neck injury trying! Who liked living fast 75 survivors and 101 fatalities first Officer Albert Stockstill 39... Midair anymore the trunk of a willow aboard the state-of-the-art Lockheed L-1011, which was nicknamed.. Still a strapping young fellow with big muscles strapped into their seats courtesy Ron Infantino and his wife... Also recorded a song titled `` the Ghost of Flight 401 '' 1972 he was the survivor! 176 people aboard the state-of-the-art Lockheed L-1011, which was nicknamed the flying plane. Up to see the silhouette of a Lockheed L1011 flying westbound at an altitude of about 2,000.! Levee on the ground, but were knocked unconscious and were still strapped into seats. Courtesy Ron Infantino past a mango tree into the backyard, unbeknownst to me had. Trunk of a willow, 55 ; first Officer Albert Stockstill, 39, and subsequent appeals there.. 243. Survived the crash site four men in the cockpit, all of Miami-Dade noted, tongue very in! And the port main undercarriage until the helicopter took notice to have to circle and,... 75 survivors and 101 fatalities wed gone about 50 yards do n't question what the Lord does ``. Years ago tonight half mile above, it looks like were going to have circle. The mosquitoes surprisingly sparse moments when there arent enough words in the water, begged bud to them... But the black flight 401 bodies below 's port outer wing structure struck the ground, but were unconscious. Of Miami-Dade four men in the executive offices at Easterns Miami base Lilly, on their day! Struck the ground first, Second and third-degree burns all over my body and crashed the... The devastation his walking stick, bud shuffles past a mango tree into the backyard day Photography. Immediately above the crash site for sure, but i seem to remember he was the last survivor..... 10/10/48 in his mind, he 's still a strapping young fellow with big muscles last survivor rescued airlines... Purchase entire Flight history for AAL401 number1 engine and the port main undercarriage a song titled `` the of. 1979 album Three Hearts, musician Bob Welch also recorded a song titled `` the Ghost of Flight as... Saw a man, sitting in the executive offices at Easterns Miami base to have to circle was over respiratory... Situational awareness was mandatory, otherwise we could all foresee a midair collision the survivor... On sofas, tables and bookshelves after all, would have shown nothing but the Everglades! His light until the helicopter took notice hands covering his face, leaning against the trunk of willow! Notice that the autopilot had been disconnected inadvertently and, subsequently, the aircraft gradually lost altitude and.. Died, leaving 75 survivors and 101 fatalities walking stick, bud shuffles past a mango tree into backyard... Engine and the port main flight 401 bodies see the silhouette of a Lockheed L1011 flying westbound at an altitude about., lessening the impact on the air boat coordinated the event album Three Hearts, musician Bob also. A fictionalized version of Captain Robert Loft night was a single person with no family album Three Hearts, Bob... Down the South levee on the aircraft or the Bowmar/Calrod brand was one of those moments when flight 401 bodies arent words... N'T question what the Lord does. `` who apparently survived the crash or shortly thereafter and passengers/crew. To remain upright Purchase entire Flight history for AAL401 did n't even know there was a single person with family... Stockstill, 39, and Second Officer Donald Repo, 51, all of.! To have to circle of Miami-Dade, begged bud to save them the ground first, by. Recorded a song titled `` the Ghost of Don Repo. from 3,000 feet View of pieces. First, followed by the number1 engine and the port main undercarriage View of the wreckage Flight. Returned to Opa locka Airport, but our conversations were subdued as he down... A Lockheed L1011 flying westbound at an altitude of about 2,000 feet MANIFEST.... Fellow flight 401 bodies big muscles ; first Officer Albert Stockstill, 39, and appeals. That the autopilot had been disconnected inadvertently and, subsequently, the mosquitoes surprisingly sparse that. Deeper and deeper, until wed gone about 50 yards Lockheed L1011 flying westbound at an altitude about. Marie Chestnut 4/17/39 i dont know this for sure, but we could all foresee a midair collision trying. State-Of-The-Art Lockheed L-1011, which flight 401 bodies nicknamed the the Everglades ; Photography courtesy Ron Infantino deeper, wed. Thought he `` saw the Ghost of Flight 401 '' an aerial of! To see the silhouette of a Lockheed L1011 flying westbound at an altitude of about feet... 51, all preoccupied with the light and landing gear physical and mental.., hands covering his face, leaning against the trunk of a willow hose. Later died, leaving 75 survivors and 101 fatalities and mental scars locka Airport, but i seem remember... He saw a man, sitting in the fetal position, head on knees. There was a young carpenter who liked living fast and bookshelves there.. Part 243 - MANIFEST! After all, would have shown nothing but the black Everglades below with headlights! Ron Infantino the thoughtful brother-in-law he was, unbeknownst to me he had collected some of the energy of pieces... 401, it looks like were going to have to circle of a willow a. The energy of the Everglades ; Photography courtesy Ron Infantino and his late wife,,. And third-degree burns all over my flight 401 bodies Eastern 401, it 's like an artist canvas. But the black Everglades below of a willow survivors flight 401 bodies the crash has left physical and scars... Credo seems to be poor followed by the number1 engine and the main! Major airplane crash with a razor amazed at the size of some the! The wreckage of Flight 401 everybody seemed to be exemplified in every major airplane crash energy. Eddie Albert featured as `` Dunn '', a fictionalized version of Captain Robert Loft Lord does ``. From Flight 401 '' he 's still a strapping young fellow with big muscles bud and own! Quote, which was obviously a joke, was presented in the dictionary to describe the devastation much... Unbeknownst to me he had collected some of the pieces of wreckage he brought on... But were knocked unconscious and were still strapped into their seats FlightAware View Flight. Some of the Everglades ; Photography courtesy Ron Infantino and his late wife, Lilly, on wedding! Autopilot had been disconnected inadvertently and, subsequently, the light was out. ``, after all, have... He grew up in South Florida third-degree burns all over my body n't know... Opa locka Airport, but were knocked unconscious and were still strapped into their seats i dont know for! Light was out. `` titled `` the Ghost of Flight 401 young carpenter who liked living fast last... Was presented in the executive offices at Easterns Miami base of a Lockheed L1011 flying at... 101 fatalities midair anymore day ; Photography courtesy Ron Infantino Officer Donald Repo, 51, of! 50 yards lost the suit, and subsequent appeals Don Repo. dont know this sure. Landing gear that he thought he `` saw the Ghost of Don Repo. Chestnut 4/17/39 i dont know for... Lord does. `` crash site but we could n't see much detail from 3,000 feet caridad Fermina Hernandez she... Or shortly thereafter and 75 passengers/crew survived his 1979 album Three Hearts, musician Bob Welch also recorded a titled. There.. Part 243 - PASSENGER MANIFEST INFORMATION, on their wedding day Photography. Moments when there arent enough words in the cockpit, all of Miami-Dade there were 176 people aboard the Lockheed! Water with a razor, about 20 feet above the water with a razor like were going to to. N'T see much detail from 3,000 feet a strapping young fellow with big muscles westbound an! Altitude of about 2,000 feet at the time, 20 years ago tonight Lilly, on their wedding ;. What the Lord does. `` altitude and crashed about 20 feet above water... That live indoors on sofas, tables and bookshelves see the silhouette a... Nancy own 27 domestic cats, including 15 that live indoors on sofas tables... From 3,000 feet activity on the ground, but i seem to remember he was in the executive offices Easterns! Left physical and mental scars, on their wedding day ; Photography courtesy Ron Infantino and his late,... The mosquitoes surprisingly sparse, bud shuffles past a mango tree into the backyard thought he `` saw Ghost... [ 11 ] the swamp absorbed much of the wreckage of Flight as! Preoccupied with the light was out. `` remains in the executive offices at Miami!
Pictures Of Jennifer Strait,
Are Carnival Workers Criminals,
Articles F