Air Florida Crash Hero Dies

[mahatmakanejeeves]

When I saw the headline, I thought it would be Lenny Skutnik. It was one of the other rescuers.



The rescue efforts were broadcast live on television that afternoon. I sat there and watched them with my grandmother, on a black and white television. We didn't even have a color TV at that time.

From the middle of Alexandria, I walked over to the scene that night. I was able to get onto the 14th Street Bridge, as no one was expecting visitors. The Renault LeCar that had been struck was still in place.

Air Florida Crash Hero Dies

by ARLnow.com | August 28, 2014 at 11:45 am

Melvin “Gene” Windsor, who helped rescue passengers after Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge, passed away in South Carolina on Sunday.

Windsor was a rescue technician aboard the U.S. Park Police Eagle 1 helicopter on Jan. 13, 1982, when Flight 90, taking off from National Airport during a snowstorm, lost altitude and crashed into the bridge before plunging into the icy Potomac River.

With roads clogged due to the snowstorm, emergency crews had trouble reaching the crash site, and those that did were ill-equipped to rescue the survivors from the water. Windor and Eagle 1 pilot Donald Usher arrived less than 20 minutes after the crash and began plucking survivors from the river and bringing them to shore.

In bad weather, with the helicopter skids at one point dipping into the water, Windsor and Usher’s efforts were daring — but ultimately pivotal in saving the lives of the five survivors. The rescues earned the pair a valor award from the Interior Department and the Carnegie Hero Fund medal.

[TiredOfNo]

1. I too remember.

As a young man, I was extremely proud of the man who helped to save a flight attendant. He was himself in the water and only minutes from death. When offered a rope by the helicopter rescuer, he passed the rescuer's rope and harness to the female flight attendant next to him, and helped her get into it. Then while clinging to a large chunk of ice, he watched her being lifted to safety. Shortly thereafter he slipped below the icy water and was not seen by the camera again......

[blkmusclmachine]

2. Thank You, from a stranger

[elleng]

3. Was walking home, to apartment in SW Washington

from office @ 12th & Constitution. Could almost see the site from apartment balcony.

[elleng]

4. WOW, just WOW!