Air Florida
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- This article discusses the 1971-1984 airline. For the current carrier, see Air Florida Airlines.
Air Florida (IATA: QH, ICAO: FLA, and Callsign: Palm) was a small U.S. and international airline based out of Miami International Airport. It started operations in 1972, after being formed in 1971. Initial aircraft included the Boeing 707, later transitioning to the Lockheed L-188 Electra turboprop.
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[edit] History
Air Florida added McDonnell Douglas DC-9 jet service between cities within Florida, but in 1978 it started flying beyond Florida and into other states. Air Florida was able to have a large presence on the Northeast-to-Florida market for quite some time during the 1970s and 1980s.
It also operated international services to various points in the Caribbean and South America as well as to London, Brussels, Shannon and Amsterdam from Miami.
Air Florida was the second sponsor of Southampton FC.
[edit] Accidents
On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into Washington, DC's 14th Street Bridge and fell into the Potomac River shortly after taking off. A total of 70 passengers and 4 crew died, as well as four motorists; only four passengers and one crew member survived. The cause of the crash was caused by inadequate deicing of the wings, and erroneous engine speed indications, due to pressure sensors (pitot tubes) in the plane's engines being frozen by the snow and ice. During takeoff, the flight crew did not apply the appropriate power setting, and the aircraft stalled. It was also discovered that crew had also failed to activate the anti-ice systems despite the weather. The crash prompted modifications to Air Florida's pilot training regarding anti-ice systems. The FAA also required revised aircraft de-icing procedures at airports.
Radio personality Howard Stern became infamous when, while hosting his show on station DC101 one day after the crash, he pretended to phone Air Florida and ask what the fare was for a one-way ticket from National Airport to the 14th Street Bridge.
[edit] Acquisition attempt and bankruptcy
Air Florida tried to buy out Western Airlines during the 1980s, to increase their presence in the West and begin flights to Mexico and western Canada. However, the negotiations with Western only got Air Florida 16 percent of the California-based company. Western was later was absorbed by Delta Air Lines. Air Florida filed for bankruptcy and eventually folded on July 3, 1984. Its assets were acquired by Midway Airlines.[1]
[edit] Fleet
The airline operated such types as the Boeing 707, McDonnell Douglas DC-9 and DC-10, Boeing 727s and Lockheed Electras along with the 737 jets.
[edit] External links
- Airchive.com: Air Florida timetable and route map images
- timetableimages.com: Air Florida timetable and route map images
- RoadstotheFuture.com: 14th Street Bridge, the Air Florida Crash, and Subway Disaster
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