Remembering Captain Al Haynes: Hero behind terrifying United Airlines Flight 232 crash of 1989 has died aged 87
Captain Al Haynes who was considered a hero for his life-saving actions during the United Airlines Flight 232 crash of 1989, died on Sunday, Gary Brown, Woodbury County Emergency Manager confirmed to KTIV. Haynes reportedly passed away at the age of 87 at a Seattle hospital. He, along with the crew had been instrumental in saving the lives of those on board during the horrific crash-landing of the United Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-10 that departed Denver’s Stapleton International Airport bound for Chicago. It was the fifth-deadliest accident involving a DC-10.
The plane suffered a dangerous failure of the plane's tail-mounted engine, which compromised its hydraulic system leading to the failure of flight controls. Haynes, who was the captain managed to crash land the aircraft in Sioux City, Iowa. Of the 296 people on board, 184 survived thanks to the actions of Haynes and his crew.
Despite the high death toll, the crash landing was seen as an example of successful crew resource management. Haynes, who was 57 at the time had been working with United Airlines since 1956. Haynes was on the flight along with first officer William Roy Records, 48, second officer Dudley Joseph Dvorak, 51, training check airman captain Dennis Edward Fitch, 46 and lead flight attendant Jan Brown.
He even kept his sense of humor throughout the ordeal, mentioning that when the landing was done, he'd very much like a beer. After the landing was complete, he is said to have mentioned that he had been too busy to be scared.
The investigation into the crash revealed the probable cause to be quality control procedures used by United Airlines' engine overhaul facility. The survivors of the crash met in a reunion in 2014, Haynes attended and he is said to have been given a standing ovation. Last month marked the 30th anniversary of his heroic landing of United flight 232.
Details of his funeral services have not yet been confirmed.