How Lenny Skutnik Rescued A Plane Crash Survivor

Once in a while, I watch the footage of Air Florida Flight 90 that crashed after takeoff in Washington D.C. in January 1982. My father lived close to the accident near the 14th street bridge in Washington. And throughout my life, the crash has affected me. The plane stalled (due to pilot error) after takeoff and I remember that most of the passengers died except for 5 people. Four people were killed who were on the bridge waiting in traffic.

I cannot imagine surviving after an incident like that. It was one of the worst snowstorms in Washington and visibility was very low. A helicopter (with Donald Usher and paramedic Melvin Windsor), rescued the passengers who survived and were clinging to a part of the plane in the freezing water. Survivors clung to a rope that was lowered from the helicopter and they were flown to safety.

But one passenger was so injured that she could not grab a rope or lifeline. Priscilla Tirado was also blinded by jet fuel. There were so many people watching the rescue operation. They watched as Priscilla Tirado was drowning and couldn’t hold on any longer. But one man, Lenny Skutnik, couldn’t watch anymore and he dove into the freezing water and saved her life. I’ve thought about that throughout my life and wondered if I or anyone else could ever be that brave. And what makes one person decide to risk his life to save another person who is dying before everyone’s eyes.