Results tagged “flight191”

Yesterday, on the 30th anniversary of the incident, we looked back at the horrific crash of American Airlines Flight 191. Now, families of some of the crash's victims say they think a memorial is in order. CBS 2's Vince Gerasole talked to sisters Kim Jockl and Melody Smith, whose parents died in the crash. Said Smith, "If people can find some peace, they need to have a place to do that." There's currently only one local memorial: a park in Northbrook named after Larry Fink. But the sisters have started an online petition they hope spreads the word and will lead to a more permanent memorial to all the victims who died in the crash.

It was 30 years today that American Airlines Flight 191, from O'Hare to Los Angeles, crashed shortly after take-off, killing all 271 people on board and two more on the ground and remains the deadliest single airliner crash in U.S. history. As the plane proceeded to take off, the number one engine on the left wing separated from the plane, flew over the wing, and crashed on the runway behind the plane. Yet the plane continued with its take off, eventually reaching a height of around 300 feet before banking to the left and then crashing, striking a hangar at the old Ravenswood Airport.

American Airlines has been taking it on the chin in recent weeks, from having their flights grounded for inspections to their announcement this week that they're charging an extra fee for luggage to make up for rising fuel prices. This week, we revisit one of the more tragic moments in American Airlines history.