The flight, which departed from JFK International . Ruiz continued her career as a flight attendant, flying for both EA and United (UA) in the years following Flight 401. Meanwhile, a flight attendant on a New York to Miami flight (the very route of the December 1972 crash) opened an overhead locker to find Bob's face peering out at her. And then it was like being in a tornado, I was in the tail and we were rotating, said Beverly Raposa, a flight attendant. "It was beautiful," said Infantino said of the jet. She came across a woman who found an 11-month-old baby as she scouted the wreckage for her son. On Thursday, she was wearing the same Eastern Air Lines gold wings pin that she wore on the fateful night. Its an invasive species, Surfside candidate who lost election bid is now in jail on murder charges in Broward, Have you seen Maura Lockhart? While in the cockpit one day, preparing for the flight, another pilot heard loud knocks from under the floor beneath him. Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 was a Lockheed L-1011-1 Tristar jet that crashed into the Florida Everglades at 11:42 pm December 29, 1972, causing 101 fatalities (99 initial crash fatalities, two died shortly afterward). Those are the last moments Ron Infantino, 76, who now lives in The Villages in Central Florida, remembers before blacking out. Journalist - A graduate in German, Jake has a passion for aviation history, and enjoys sampling new carriers and aircraft even if doing so demands an unorthodox itinerary. It was time to leave as each of us will do. "We don't have a home of our own to call our own, 401 doesn't," he said. There were 10 flight attendants in the main cabin serving 163 passengers. Writer - Patricia joins Simple Flying with over 20 years of experience in aviation. . The appearance of the dead flight engineer () was confirmed by the flight engineer." DALLAS December 29, 2022, will mark a half-century since the fatal crash of Eastern Air Lines (EA) Flight 401. And then it was complete silence and I thought I was the only one alive.". The next, he was covered in water up to his chin. Former flight attendant Beverly Raposa, one of 75 people who survived after the plane crashed with 176 people on board, said that she has never forgotten the passengers and crew members who died. The senior flight attendant said he was dazed and unresponsive when spoken to and was not on the passenger list. "It was almost five hours before they even found me, five hours in the same spot, the same spot, I couldn't move, I couldn't get up," he said. The flight was largely uneventful, but, on approach to Miami, the flight crew had become fixated on a faulty indication in the cockpit. She went on to praise the efforts of Raposa, who sang Christmas carols to maintain morale among survivors as they waited for rescue. The crash of Eastern Flight 401. In any case, it was far from the first time that the deceased pilot had supposedly been spotted after his death. One minute, he was resting in his seat with his arms folded. Beverly was sitting in the rear of the plane. The captain recognized him as being none other than Bob. Amid the planes wreckage, her cream-colored, company-issued suitcase was the only one that remained intact. People were screaming, and partially clothed dead bodies were face down in the water. The couple was returning to Miami from their honeymoon when the unspeakable happened. This month represents the 50th anniversary of the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401, which crashed into the Florida Everglades in December 1972. MIAMI - Survivors and families are remembering the 101 souls who were killed 50 years ago when Eastern Flight 401 crashed into the Everglades. That time, finances got in the way. First published on December 29, 2022 / 4:03 PM. I just regret not getting a chance to say goodbye. That also gave me an impression like the two girls were marked, Ruiz said. He would later learn the voice came from flight attendant Beverly Raposa, who would later lead survivors in Christmas carols to try to keep their spirits up in the cold night. One of the worst air disasters in South Florida history happened exactly 50 years ago Thursday, when Eastern Airlines Flight 401 slammed into the Florida Everglades, killing more than 100 people and leading to the implementation of several aviation safety measures. The granite marker, engraved with the names of the people who perished, will stand in a median near the Miami Springs Country Club for future generations to see. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The plane was heading away from the city lights. The plane actually spun in a circle, the floor dropped and I woke up in the water," he recalled. I say, 'Calm down, Ron, what number is this? Since the flight was full, he exercised his privilege as an Eastern Airlines employee, and rode in the cockpit jumpseat. The name of Ronald Infantino's wife Lily is on that memorial. Off-topic, inappropriate or anonymous posts may be removed. The aircraft assigned to Eastern Airlines Flight 401 that December 29th was an L-1011 from Lockheed, often referred to as a Whisperliner due to its quiet engines. Eastern Airlines Flight #401 (L1011 N310EA) crashed in the Everglades on December 29, 1972. Amazingly, 75 of the 176 passengers and crew aboard Flight 401 survived. The plane descended out of the sky as pilots were distracted over a landing gear warning light. All rights reserved, WATCH LIVE: Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing on Roadway in Western Broward. A desperate search and rescue effort began almost immediately. Anyone interested in attending should email flt401memorial@gmail.com. He heard alligators and snakes splash around him as whirring airboats and helicopters searched for survivors. Ruiz said this began many, many years back with efforts to commemorate the victims from us, the surviving crew members, people close to the victims, and all of the people from our community who really wanted to join us.. The crash changed the course of the aviation industry through new safety measures that require pilots to maintain communication with the cabin crew and require flight attendants to carry larger flashlights. . It was all wet, but it felt good just to have something on me.". Washington, DC 20006, Online Donations can be made at www.PlaneSafe.org. In loving memory so they will never, ever be forgotten," she said unveiling the stone monument with the names of those who died engraved in the granite. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at 1pm on Curtiss Parkway, near the Miami Springs Golf Course. The flight attendants' reports after the accident helped to change safety equipment onboard, including the use of shoulder harnesses on all jump seats, which was not the case at the time. The helicopters had trouble finding the wreckage but Marquis used his headlamp to help signal them, as he continued to pull survivors from the wreckage. She asked the flight engineer later about the oven, and he said he hadn't fixed it, and it didn't need to be fixed. The pair also described takeaways for the public around aviation safety to go along with memorial efforts for Flight 401. /24-7PressRelease/ - MIAMI, FL, December 07, 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 . Ron Infantino is a passenger who survived the tragedy. Who could this have been? She recalls the terrifying moments afterward. The pilot was unnerved by what had happened and canceled the flight. From the 1972 crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 in the Florida Everglades, to the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 and the tragedies of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 resulting from faulty sensors on the Boeing 737 Max 8, Podhurst Orseck has grown from aviation litigation pioneer to the premier firm of its kind globally. The City of Miami Springs, Raposa emphasized, provided intense, intense support with the involvement of the mayor, the city manager, and the municipal public relations team. The Story Of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401, took a look at the eight most intriguing examples. The left wing tip hit first. She said her mom had moved to Connecticut and was coming home to surprise her family before New Years. She has served as cabin crew on flights from economy-class to private jets. The crash, another seminal moment in South Florida aviation history, killed all 110 people on board. The precious love we shared means we are never far apart,. Beverly has often wondered how she survived how anyone survived. Beverly Raposa switched seats from her regular position in the galley for a flight from New York to Miami. It happened just west of Miami International Airport. Infantino and other survivors are holding a memorial service today at 4 p.m. at the site of the Valujet Flight 592 memorial, on the Tamiami Trail, 12 miles west of Krome Avenue. "They put me in a helicopter and I'll never forget they gave me a warm blanket," he said. "It banked to the left and those engines roared to take off power and we hit. She was six feet above the swamp but released her harness. Raposa, who worked in a travel agency after leaving Eastern, reminds herself to not leave the house angry and to tell her loved ones how much she cares for them because returning is never a guarantee. After donating, please email the NADF Executive Director, Gail Dunhan so that she can send you an acknowledgement of your tax deductible donation. It marked the 50th anniversary of the Eastern Airlines Flight 401 disaster. MIAMI - Thursday marks 50 years since Eastern Airlines Flight 401 crashed into the Florida Everglades. She encouraged them to sing Christmas carols to keep their spirits up, a mark of courage and stoicism in the face of a dire situation. "I'm one person in the midst of all this," Marquis told NBC News back in 2007. Aircraft and crew The aircraft involved was a five-year-old McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 registered as N8984E, which was delivered to Eastern Airlines on January 30, 1969. Eastern Airlines eventually ceased operations early in 1991. The former flight attendants described one gathering in the Everglades where airboats from around Florida turned up to help commemorate crash victims. said Stockstill. The Lockheed L-1011 crashed into the Florida Everglades. Amid the confusion, the distracted crew didnt notice the auto pilot button was switched off. I didn't know what to do.". Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 departed New York for Miami on December 29, 1972. "The autopsy was drowning. Airboats represent a certain degree of sentimental value for survivors of Flight 401. "These poor people were still my responsibility. It all happened so quickly that he couldnt turn to check on his wife of 20 days, Lilly Infantino, who sat beside him on the flight from New York to Miami. During the five hours, a female passenger came up to him and began to walk away. "My grandfather was a kind, humble, perfectionist. "Survivors" Southern . "They're home," Beverly said. MiamiSprings.com is the #1 source for news and events for the Miami Springs and Virginia Gardens community. Pin. Eventually, all of the salvaged parts were removed from aircraft, and neither Bob nor Don were ever seen again. And those survivors were in the pitch black darkness of the Everglades. In his first public comments since his highly publicized move from Atlanta United, Martinez told the Herald that his girlfriend, two-month-old son, and more than half his friends live in Doral. One of the worst air disasters in South Florida history happened exactly 50 years ago Thursday, when Eastern Airlines Flight 401 slammed into the Florida Everglades, killing more than 100 people . The heroism of Marquis and others and the heartbreaking loss of life that night are remembered and honored in an exhibit opening January 14 at HistoryMiami Museum in downtown Miami. 101 out of the 176 occupants onboard the aircraft perished. asked Loft. The plane descended out of the sky as pilots were distracted over a landing gear warning light. "I remember hitting, I woke up and I was in a sitting position water up to my chin, no clothes on, everything was stripped right off me except the rims of my socks," said Infantino. What none of the passengers in the plane knew was that the light for the nose gear wasn't working. Of the 163 passengers and 13 crewmembers aboard, 94 passengers and five crewmembers were killed, while two other survivors died days later from their injuries. "Preoccupation with a malfunction of the nose landing gear position indicating system distracted the crew's attention from the instruments and allowed the descent to go unnoticed," it continued. At that moment Infantino was resting in his seat. Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 was a scheduled flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Miami International Airport. Give or take a word, the announcement is remembered verbatim by virtually every survivor. "Well its difficult, we were only married 20 days, and we were both 26 years old, and she was my first love to be honest with you. Today's story is one of tragedy, of course, but it's also one of heroism and bravery. He wanted to look further and reportedly found a problem that could have caused a serious accident. We also informed you that much of the money was going into creating more buildings. Please enter valid email address to continue. Remembering EAL Flt. That time, finances got in the way. Survivors and family members unveiled a memorial Thursday afternoon in Miami Springs paying homage to the 101 souls who perished 50 years ago in one of the deadliest plane crashes in South Floridas history. Was it because we switched seats? As frog hunters who witnessed the crash helped rescue survivors, Raposa led those remaining in renditions of Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. The last group was rescued at 3:30 a.m. Dec. 30, almost four hours after the crash. The flight path of Eastern Airlines Flight 401 in its final moments. Marquis would work tirelessly throughout the night and the next day rescuing people. . It happened just west of Miami International Airport. She and Marquis would be remembered as two of the heroes from that night. "I love my profession so I overcame that part of my life. We just hit,' she said. He held out hope that his wife had survived another patient with their last name was admitted to a hospital in Florida. She heard the cries of people and shouted, 'Follow my voice, I am a flight attendant' so that any surviving passengers could find her. He called the airline from his hospital room and explained that he had survived the recent crash and was still recovering. In November 2022,Airwaysinterviewed former flight attendants Beverly Raposa and Mercy Ruiz to understand their perspectives as survivors of the crash. It was the first fatal crash involving not only the Lockheed TriStar, but, indeed, a widebody aircraft of any kind. However, the indicator light failed to show that the landing gear was locked down. Its just special to me that we are remembering all the people who lost their lives, Quinn said. Raposa said a turning point came when supporter Shannon DeWitt offered to help coordinate fundraising and construction efforts for a monument, a pivot from the original idea of a tribute. He didn't know it, but it was Robert "Bud" Marquis, who was out frog-gigging with a friend. The list of passengers who perished on Eastern Airlines flight EA401 and honored on the Memorial are: The list of pilots who perished on Eastern Airlines flight EA401 are: The flight attendants who perished on the flight are: Fortunately, there were 75 survivors during that horrible tragedy of late 1972. "The priest came over and asked me what my religion was," he remembers. There were 67 survivors. The flight attendants who perished on the flight are: Patricia A. Ghyssels; Stephanie Rae Stanich; Eastern Airlines Flight EA401 Memorial in Miami Springs honors the 101 souls who perished on December 29, 1972 SURVIVORS OF EASTERN AIRLINES FLIGHT 401. But today, for Infantino, is about Lilly and the other lost lives. McQuigg and Raposa went on to continue flying, with McQuigg still working in the profession. The captain had ordered that the landing gear be lowered in preparation for landing. Eastern Air Lines Flight 401, 50 Years On, Aviation journalist and Daily Caller contributor who counts playing and teaching golf among his many hobbies, follow him on Twitter @realBrentFoster. Eastern Airlines Flight 401. While making preparations to land, the crew are distracted by a faulty landing gear indicator light and accidentally disengage the autopilot while trying to resolve the problem. Local 10: Eastern Flight 401: A survivor's story; Flamingo Magazine: Flight 401 Down in the Glades; Read the Story! Raposa said she has flown for over 20 years for business, saying she sleeps like a baby every time she flies. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The crash killed 101 people, including Stanich. I reach over and all the sudden my fingers go inside of my bicep," he said. The official cause of the crash was pilot error, the crew being distracted by a faulty nose gear indicator . Then I knew how bad I was.". This story was originally published December 29, 2022 7:10 PM. Robert Loft, 55; First Officer Albert Stockstill, 39, and Second Officer Donald Repo, 51, all of Miami-Dade. I have a beautiful family, and I got my wings back, and I just keep moving forward, said McQuigg. When youve stared death in the face just as I have, she said, you dont take things for granted anymore.. READ MORE: There was another tragedy in Miami after Eastern Flight 401. Raposa would spend the next grueling hours fighting for those who survived the crash of Eastern Airlines Flight 401. Later, he recognized that the pilot he'd been speaking to was, in fact, Bob. She, too, couldnt move because of a fractured pelvic bone. "Ah, tower this is Eastern, ah, four zero one, it looks like we're gonna have to circle, we don't have a light on our nose gear yet," the pilot told the control tower at MIA. Raposa was among 75 "miracle survivors." Another 101 died. Theres another photo Ruiz has analyzed over the years. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Featured Image: Eastern Airlines Lockheed L1011 N310EA, the airframe involved in flight 401. Eastern Airlines Flight 401 crashed into the Everglades on a moonless night on December 29, 1972. Raposa brought the baby to Ruiz, who cradled him to keep warm. The airline still wanted to interview him for an opening that he could start after his health improved. Expand the text below to read more about this . 103 passengers and crew members died in the crash or shortly thereafter and 75 passengers/crew survived. On December 29, 1972, Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 was the first jumbo jet to crash and the second worst single-plane disaster in America up to that time. The rescuers, Coast Guard members and Miami-Dade fire fighters and police officers, worked throughout the night finding survivors. I think about her every day.. The Lockheed L-1011 was the pride of the Eastern fleet and the first of a new generation of wide-body jumbo jets to crash. The sound, a huge fireball that went through the cabin," she recalled. This message board is intended for serious discussions of the December 29th, 1972 crash of Eastern Airlines Flight 401. The flight started in New York. "What saved my life was chute on that dooractually on impact it inflated, she recalled. In addition to commemorating Flight 401, the creative talent behind the exhibit is seeking to help survivors raise the funding needed to create a permanent large-scale memorial to Flight 401's victims and survivors in the City of Miami Springs, once home to a thriving Eastern Air Lines community. At one point he noticed that his right arm didn't seem right. I don't think so we have no control over our destiny.". The survivors were taken to a narrow levee where helicopters took them to hospitals. In another part of the Everglades, flight attendant Mercy Ruiz shivered, her body soaked in kerosene. The disaster took the lives It also marked the first the first jumbo jet to crash. He warned them of a faulty electrical circuit, which was then found and replaced. His right arm was nearly severed, his left knee broken, his chest crushed. the first officer asked, and the captain immediately exclaimed "Hey, what's happening here?". 255153N 803543W. Naked in the cold water, surrounded by tall sawgrass, he heard an airboat. . Survivors. Its the holidays. She freed herself, then went to work saving others. She said it was ironic that he died in one of his favorite places in the world the Everglades. But doctors were able to reattach his arm. It also offered the opportunity to discuss their efforts to commemorate victims prior to the December 2022 inauguration of the 50th Anniversary of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 Memorial Monument. "We did something to the altitude," the first officer remarked, and the captain's reply was "What? Beverly vowed to make a permanent memorial to those who were killed. Infantino heard that, but nobody could hear him. Flight 401 - Flight Crew Fatal Photograph. The flight had left JFK Airport in New York en-route to Miami International Airport when it went down shortly before midnight on Dec. 29, 1972, in the swampland some 18 miles west-northwest of the airport. 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