Washington, D.C. – The snowstorm that blanketed the nation’s capital 44 years ago today is not remembered for record snowfall totals, but for a tragedy that forever changed aviation safety and left a lasting mark on the city’s history.
On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 was scheduled to depart Washington National Airport for Tampa, Florida. The flight never reached its destination. Instead, it became one of the deadliest weather-related aviation disasters in U.S. history.
Arctic Cold and Snow Set the Stage
In the days leading up to January 13, a powerful blast of Arctic air settled over Washington, D.C., keeping temperatures stuck in the 20s and well below normal. The prolonged cold left roadways, runways, and aircraft surfaces vulnerable to ice accumulation.
Early on the morning of the 13th, a winter storm moved into the region, bringing heavy snowfall that snarled traffic across the metropolitan area. Commuters were stranded, roadways became impassable, and Washington National Airport was temporarily shut down due to unsafe conditions.
Airport Reopens as Snow Tapers Off
By the afternoon, snowfall began to ease, and airport officials reopened Washington National, allowing delayed flights to resume. Among them was Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 737 carrying passengers bound for Tampa.
Despite lingering freezing temperatures and snow-covered surfaces, the aircraft was prepared for departure after hours of delay on the runway.
De-Icing Failure Proves Fatal
Investigators later determined that a critical safety step — proper de-icing — was not adequately performed before takeoff. Snow and ice remained on the aircraft’s wings, reducing lift and compromising the plane’s ability to climb.
Shortly after takeoff, Flight 90 failed to gain altitude, struck the 14th Street Bridge, and plunged into the icy waters of the Potomac River.
The crash occurred during the height of rush hour traffic, killing not only passengers and crew but also motorists on the bridge.
Loss of Life and Remarkable Rescue Efforts
A total of 78 people — including passengers, crew members, and motorists — lost their lives in the disaster. Only five survivors were pulled from the freezing river during dramatic rescue efforts carried out by emergency crews and bystanders.
The image of survivors clinging to wreckage in the ice-choked Potomac became one of the most haunting scenes in Washington’s history.
A Storm Remembered for Its Consequences
While official records show that 6.4 inches of snow fell at Washington National Airport that day — an amount that would not normally be considered historic — the storm’s role in the tragedy ensures it is never forgotten.
The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 stands as a sobering reminder of how winter weather, combined with human error, can have devastating consequences. It also led to major changes in aviation safety procedures, particularly regarding cold-weather operations and aircraft de-icing standards.
More than four decades later, the events of January 13, 1982, remain a defining chapter in Washington, D.C.’s weather and transportation history.
