The disaster central to the narrative "The Man in the Water" is the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 into the icy Potomac River in Washington D.C. on January 13, 1982. This catastrophic event claimed the lives of 78 people and became a powerful symbol of human courage and sacrifice in the face of tragedy.
Understanding the Catastrophe
The incident unfolded on a snowy afternoon when Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 737, departed from Washington National Airport (now Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport). Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the 14th Street Bridge, then plunged into the frozen Potomac River. The severe weather conditions and a combination of pilot error and mechanical issues related to icing contributed to the horrific accident.
The unnamed man in the water, the subject of Roger Rosenblatt's renowned essay, was a passenger on this doomed flight. He survived the initial impact but found himself immersed in the frigid river, surrounded by debris and other survivors. His subsequent actions, as documented in the essay, elevated him to a symbol of profound human selflessness amidst chaos.
Key Details of the Air Florida Flight 90 Crash
To grasp the full scope of the disaster that serves as the backdrop for "The Man in the Water," consider these critical facts:
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Date | January 13, 1982 |
| Location | Potomac River, Washington D.C., near the 14th Street Bridge |
| Aircraft | Boeing 737-222 |
| Flight Number | Air Florida Flight 90 |
| Fatalities | 78 (74 aboard the aircraft and 4 motorists on the bridge) |
| Survivors | 5 aircraft passengers, rescued from the icy water, including the man in the water (who later succumbed) |
| Cause | Pilot error, icing on engine sensors, and insufficient de-icing procedures in extreme winter conditions |
The investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later determined that the crew failed to activate the engine anti-ice system and also attempted to take off with erroneous engine power readings, primarily due to ice contaminating the engine pressure ratio (EPR) probes.
The Man's Connection to the Disaster
The "man in the water" earned his place in history and literature not by causing the disaster, but by his extraordinary response to it. As one of the few initial survivors clinging to wreckage in the freezing river, he became an iconic figure through his selfless acts:
- He repeatedly passed the rescue lifeline and ring to other struggling survivors, prioritizing their lives over his own.
- His final act of self-sacrifice, refusing the lifeline for himself until others were saved, ultimately led to his own demise from hypothermia.
This selfless act, against the backdrop of the horrific aviation disaster, highlights the resilience and profound compassion that can emerge in the direst circumstances. For further reading on this historic event, you can explore the Air Florida Flight 90 Wikipedia page.
