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Dive Deep: The Van Epps Plane Crash - A Tragic Aviation Disaster

Prof. Hilma Konopelski MD

Can a single mistake in the cockpit bring down an entire airline? The Van Epps plane crash stands as a stark reminder that even the most experienced pilots are not immune to human error, and the consequences can be catastrophic.

The Van Epps plane crash, a significant event in aviation history, unfolded on December 23, 1977. A chartered McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31, operated by Overseas National Airways (ONA), met with disaster shortly after taking off from Luis Muoz Marn International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The crash resulted in the tragic loss of 19 lives, including passengers and crew members.

On board the aircraft were 99 souls 92 passengers, six cabin crew members, and one pilot traveling as a passenger. The flight's intended route was from San Juan to JFK International Airport in New York City, with a scheduled stopover in Miami, Florida. However, minutes after departing from San Juan, one of the aircraft's engines suffered a sudden and critical loss of power. As the flight crew struggled to regain control, the plane plummeted into a residential area of Carolina, Puerto Rico, ending the lives of all 19 on board.

Incident Summary: Van Epps Plane Crash
Date of Incident: December 23, 1977
Location: Carolina, Puerto Rico (near Luis Muoz Marn International Airport, San Juan)
Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31
Airline: Overseas National Airways (ONA)
Flight Origin: Luis Muoz Marn International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Intended Destination: JFK International Airport, New York City (with stopover in Miami, Florida)
Fatalities: 19 (passengers and crew)
Total on Board: 99 (92 passengers, 6 cabin crew, 1 deadheading pilot)
Cause of Crash: Pilot Error
Contributing Factors: Engine Failure (Loss of Power)
Impact: Loss of Confidence in ONA, Increased Scrutiny of Airline Industry, Financial Strain leading to ONA's eventual demise
Key Lesson: Importance of Proper Pilot Training and Adherence to Safety Procedures
Related Event: Crash of American Airlines Flight 191 (Similar aircraft and cause related to pilot response)
Historical Significance: Contributed to the Demise of Overseas National Airways
Legacy: A Grim Reminder of Aviation Safety & Training
External Resource: Aviation Safety Network
The Van Epps family left town for a youth baseball tournament Then

The Van Epps family left town for a youth baseball tournament Then

family killed in New York small plane crash CNN

family killed in New York small plane crash CNN

Family of 5 in New York for Baseball Tournament Dies in Small Plane Crash

Family of 5 in New York for Baseball Tournament Dies in Small Plane Crash

Detail Author:

  • Name : Prof. Hilma Konopelski MD
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