Plane plunged toward the 14th Street Bridge, striking it before plunging into the Potomac River. (WUSA photo)
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WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) - On January 13, 1982 Air Florida Flight 90 departed National Airport. It was bound for Tampa and then on to Ft. Lauderdale.
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It was snowing heavily that day. National Airport was closed on and off all afternoon. After several delays, the flight was finally given the go. It began its climb along the Potomac River.
Moments later, according to witnesses, the plane plunged toward the 14th Street Bridge. It crashed into the bridge, killing 74 people on the plane and 4 people who were in their cars on the bridge.
The images that remain from that day are of five people being plucked from the icy Potomac River and the people who didn't think twice about rescuing them.
In the attached video story that first aired on Channel 9 six months after the crash, some of the rescuers talk with reporter John Goldsmith.
