Michigan marks 36 years since tragic Northwest Flight 255 crash in Romulus
Many still remember the tragedy that struck Michigan 36 years ago — the deadliest plane crash in the state's history.
On Aug. 16, 1987, Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed mere minutes after takeoff beneath the Interstate 94 overpass on Middlebelt Road near Detroit Metropolitan Airport. In total, 156 individuals were killed, and a sole survivor was pulled from the wreckage — 4-year-old Cecelia Cichan of Tempe, Arizona, now known as Cecelia Crocker.
How the crash unfolded
The flight was headed to Phoenix, where a layover was scheduled. Its final destination was Santa Ana, California.
The flight was cleared for takeoff at 8:44 p.m. Witnesses reported that the aircraft struggled to gain altitude. Shortly after takeoff, "the wings of the airplane rolled to the left and the right about 35 inches in each direction," according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
The plane's instability caused the left wing to strike a light pole beyond the runway, resulting in significant damage to the wing. The plane then struck several other light poles and the roof of a rental car building before ultimately crashing around 8:46 p.m. onto Middlebelt in Romulus.
"The airplane broke up as it slid across the ground, and postimpact fires erupted along the wreckage path," according to NTSB's accident report. "Three occupied vehicles on a road adjacent to the airport and numerous vacant vehicles in a rental car parking lot along the airplane’s path were destroyed by impact forces and/or fire."
Among the 156 victims were six crew members and two people on the ground.
NTSB investigation shows negligence
NTSB's investigation of Flight 255 concluded that the flight crew failed to follow proper checklists and procedures, including accurately setting the plane's flaps and slats for takeoff — which led to a loss of control shortly after departure. The investigation also pointed out the demanding workload of the flight crew during the quick turnaround time between flights, which could have played a role in their failure to adhere to procedures.
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Victims' family members stay in touch
In a Facebook group with more than 500 members, the families of the victims stay in contact with one another, share photos of the loved ones they lost and organize memorial services on the anniversary of the tragedy.
All are welcome to join the 36th anniversary memorial service on Wednesday, taking place at the Northwest Airlines Flight 255 Memorial monument on Middlebelt and I-94. Attendees usually start to gather around 7 p.m.; the names of the victims will be read at 8:46 p.m., the time of the flight's crash.
Survivor's perspective
Crocker spoke about the crash — which she doesn't remember and which killed her parents and 6-year-old brother — for the first time in a 2013 documentary called "Sole Survivor." It featured three other people who were the only people to live through plane crashes.
"When I realized I was the only person to survive that plane crash, I was maybe in middle school, high school, maybe, being an adolescent and confused," said Crocker, who was raised by an aunt and uncle in Alabama. "So it was just extra stress for me. I remember feeling angry and survivor's guilt. 'Why didn't my brother survive? Why didn't anybody? Why me?'"
She also said she feels fine about flying and has done so many times.
Contact Nour Rahal: nrahal@freepress.com and follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 36th anniversary of Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crash in Romulus
