Tragedy strikes Midway Airport in Chicago - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

barenakedladies · 12-09-2005, 06:06 AM

A passenger jet landing in a snowstorm in Chicago skidded off the runway through a steel barrier and into a busy road, crushing two cars and killing a six-year old boy.

Another 11 people were injured in the crash. All 90 passengers and eight crew members of the Boeing 737 from Baltimore, Maryland, were evacuated. Three suffered minor injuries.

The aircraft's landing wheels snapped off when it touched down at Midway airport, causing the plane to overrun the 2km (6,288-foot) runway and smash through a steel barrier, through the perimeter fence and onto a busy intersection.

The jet crashed into two cars: one lay crumpled against the nose while the second was pinned beneath a wing.

One of the cars was carrying a family of five - three children and two adults. A six-year-old boy in the car was killed. Four other occupants were injured and taken to hospital. A hospital spokeswoman said that the father and a baby were in serious condition, the mother was in good condition and a four-year-old boy was in a fair condition.

Four people in the car wedged beneath the plane’s wing were in serious but stable condition, the spokeswoman added. Locals described the relatively low number of casualties as 'a miracle'.

The accident happened at about 7.15pm local time (0115 GMT Friday), as Flight 1248 was arriving at Midway, Chicago's second airport after O'Hare. About seven inches (18cm) of snow had fallen earlier in the day.

Truck driver Mahdi Abdelquader was driving on Central Avenue when the Boeing 737 flashed in front of his snowy windscreen.

"There was a loud noise, and it came out like it was like in the movies. I was praying to God," he told the Chicago Tribune.

"It hit the white car and dragged it and hit the pole. The lady in the car ... she asked us to help her," he said.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board were expected to arrive on scene later today. The landing conditions and condition of the landing gear are likely to form the focus of their inquiry.

Senior fire officer Cortez Trotter said that the aircraft would remain in the intersection of 55th Street and Central Avenue overnight.

Midway airport, built before the jet age, is notorious for its short runways. In severe weather pilots aim for the very start of the runway to give themselves as much room as possible to stop.

The crash came exactly 33 years after a United Airlines jet crashed into a house near the airport killing 43 people

my thoughts:

Daley has been trying to expand the airports in chicago for years with much opposition. Is this a conspiracy for daly to prove to them that he must expand?
a CHILD died because the runways werent long enough?

Just a thought.

Im a couple blocks from it and driving into work and seeing a plane across central ave. this morning was crazy.

Ustwo · 12-09-2005, 06:36 AM

Living in Chicago, I want to say ... huh?

Daley wanted an expanded Ohare instead of a third airport for tax reasons (as in Chicago can't milk an airport not located in chicago), midway has no where too expand. With the Union pawn in the governers office now, Daley can do what he wants.

maleficent · 12-09-2005, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barenakedladies

my thoughts:

Daley has been trying to expand the airports in chicago for years with much opposition. Is this a conspiracy for daly to prove to them that he must expand?
a CHILD died because the runways werent long enough?

Just a thought.

Im a couple blocks from it and driving into work and seeing a plane across central ave. this morning was crazy.

and mother nature... (glares at the Freeze Miser) had a hand in this conspiracy too right? Because the plane had been circling for 30 minutes trying to land... the length of the runway isn't the problem... maybe the pilot didn't have a lot of flight time at Midway.. and wasn't aware.. the weather played a factor...

This is the first time in most people here's lifetime that something like this has happened.. It was an accident...

Bill O'Rights · 12-09-2005, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barenakedladies

Daley has been trying to expand the airports in chicago for years with much opposition. Is this a conspiracy for daly to prove to them that he must expand?

No. It's a horrible accident...no more than that.

barenakedladies · 12-09-2005, 07:05 AM

they have wanted to expand midway as well (more than they have already) they wanted to get rid of 55th street altogether by the airport to expand the airport. Why do you think the people get all up in arms about eminant domain and the city taking there houses away giving them hardly anything in compensation for their property.

I said that original comment half heartedly... not so much a joke, but as to spur discussion. I realize it was an accident but in this politically correct paranoia sue happy society we live in, you know someone will say that.
Some politician will say "this is proof that we need to spend the money to make the runways longer... and while we're at it, we will spend another billion dollars of your tax money to reinforce all the retaining walls as well.

Its like this city doesnt care about shit until something happens and when something tragic does happen, they care too much and do needless spending to show the city "They are doing something about it"
(See porch collapse)

Porch collapse was 30 idiot drunk college kids jumping up and down on a balcony and it collapsed. Maybe it was structually unsound but it was by FAR the kids fault for having a. too many people on it and b. messing around on it.
"hey this thing is shaking... john, bill, greg, get out here check this out, wooooooo" crash boom...
Then the city has to screw with EVERY SINGLE building in chicago to make sure "An incident like this doesnt happen again"

i hate this society...

kylie · 12-09-2005, 10:50 PM

it is so terrible yesterday .. very sad accident .. never fly in mid way airport myself since i lived here for 4 years always thinks it is too small ...

12-09-2005, 06:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
barenakedladies Crazy Location: anytown, USA	Tragedy strikes Midway Airport in Chicago A passenger jet landing in a snowstorm in Chicago skidded off the runway through a steel barrier and into a busy road, crushing two cars and killing a six-year old boy. Another 11 people were injured in the crash. All 90 passengers and eight crew members of the Boeing 737 from Baltimore, Maryland, were evacuated. Three suffered minor injuries. The aircraft's landing wheels snapped off when it touched down at Midway airport, causing the plane to overrun the 2km (6,288-foot) runway and smash through a steel barrier, through the perimeter fence and onto a busy intersection. The jet crashed into two cars: one lay crumpled against the nose while the second was pinned beneath a wing. One of the cars was carrying a family of five - three children and two adults. A six-year-old boy in the car was killed. Four other occupants were injured and taken to hospital. A hospital spokeswoman said that the father and a baby were in serious condition, the mother was in good condition and a four-year-old boy was in a fair condition. Four people in the car wedged beneath the plane’s wing were in serious but stable condition, the spokeswoman added. Locals described the relatively low number of casualties as 'a miracle'. The accident happened at about 7.15pm local time (0115 GMT Friday), as Flight 1248 was arriving at Midway, Chicago's second airport after O'Hare. About seven inches (18cm) of snow had fallen earlier in the day. Truck driver Mahdi Abdelquader was driving on Central Avenue when the Boeing 737 flashed in front of his snowy windscreen. "There was a loud noise, and it came out like it was like in the movies. I was praying to God," he told the Chicago Tribune. "It hit the white car and dragged it and hit the pole. The lady in the car ... she asked us to help her," he said. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board were expected to arrive on scene later today. The landing conditions and condition of the landing gear are likely to form the focus of their inquiry. Senior fire officer Cortez Trotter said that the aircraft would remain in the intersection of 55th Street and Central Avenue overnight. Midway airport, built before the jet age, is notorious for its short runways. In severe weather pilots aim for the very start of the runway to give themselves as much room as possible to stop. The crash came exactly 33 years after a United Airlines jet crashed into a house near the airport killing 43 people my thoughts: Daley has been trying to expand the airports in chicago for years with much opposition. Is this a conspiracy for daly to prove to them that he must expand? a CHILD died because the runways werent long enough? Just a thought. Im a couple blocks from it and driving into work and seeing a plane across central ave. this morning was crazy. __________________ signature smignature Last edited by barenakedladies; 12-09-2005 at 06:25 AM..

12-09-2005, 06:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ustwo Pissing in the cornflakes	Living in Chicago, I want to say ... huh? Daley wanted an expanded Ohare instead of a third airport for tax reasons (as in Chicago can't milk an airport not located in chicago), midway has no where too expand. With the Union pawn in the governers office now, Daley can do what he wants. __________________ Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps.

12-09-2005, 07:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
barenakedladies Crazy Location: anytown, USA	they have wanted to expand midway as well (more than they have already) they wanted to get rid of 55th street altogether by the airport to expand the airport. Why do you think the people get all up in arms about eminant domain and the city taking there houses away giving them hardly anything in compensation for their property. I said that original comment half heartedly... not so much a joke, but as to spur discussion. I realize it was an accident but in this politically correct paranoia sue happy society we live in, you know someone will say that. Some politician will say "this is proof that we need to spend the money to make the runways longer... and while we're at it, we will spend another billion dollars of your tax money to reinforce all the retaining walls as well. Its like this city doesnt care about shit until something happens and when something tragic does happen, they care too much and do needless spending to show the city "They are doing something about it" (See porch collapse) Porch collapse was 30 idiot drunk college kids jumping up and down on a balcony and it collapsed. Maybe it was structually unsound but it was by FAR the kids fault for having a. too many people on it and b. messing around on it. "hey this thing is shaking... john, bill, greg, get out here check this out, wooooooo" crash boom... Then the city has to screw with EVERY SINGLE building in chicago to make sure "An incident like this doesnt happen again" i hate this society... __________________ signature smignature

12-09-2005, 10:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
kylie Upright Location: chicago,IL	it is so terrible yesterday .. very sad accident .. never fly in mid way airport myself since i lived here for 4 years always thinks it is too small ... __________________ 愛是恆久忍耐