United Flight 811 - 35 years ago

Tomorrow marks the 35th anniversary of United Flight 811.? I was a junior at the University of Illinois at the time, a psychology major and business minor who was trying to figure out if the clinical or business path were where my future lay.?

On February 24th, 1989, United Airlines Flight 811 departed Honolulu International airport at 1:53 am en route to Auckland, New Zealand.? One hundred miles south of Honolulu, as the Boeing 747 gained altitude and the cabin continued to pressurize, an explosion ripped a 10 X 40-foot hole in its right side, adjacent to the forward baggage area.? That hole was big enough to drive an 18-wheeler through it.

The resulting decompression turned the passenger cabin into a giant wind tunnel.? Nine people were sucked to their deaths and 27 more persons were injured.? The oxygen system failed.? ?Captain David Cronin took the stricken plane rapidly down to 4400 ft, dumping fuel along the way, and despite the failure of both starboard engines, roughly managed the aircraft back to Honolulu.???

The aircraft blew out several tires but landed safely at 2:33 in the morning.? Because of fuel capacity, and only having 2 engines – it was the one and only chance to land the plane.? Many of the passengers later said it was one of the smoothest landings they had ever experienced.? I am especially grateful to Captain Cronin, because my parents sat on the edge of that gaping hole in row 13 – and were the first row of people who survived.?

Most pilots and airline experts believed it to be impossible to land a 747 with two engines out on one side.? They subsequently failed in over 100 attempts to land the plane in simulation given the exact circumstances as flight 811.? Luckily, a true hero, Captain Cronin – who was on his last flights because of mandatory retirement age – did not subscribe to the same theory.? If you read the transcript from the black box – he remained calm the entire time while some of those around him were understandably shaken.? In subsequent interviews Cpt Cronin answered a lot of questions with essentially the same response – “I never believed it couldn’t be done.”

What a great attitude for all of us to have.? I never believed it could not be done.?

??????????????? Top salespeople hit the goals – no matter what they are

??????????????? Positive people – are healthier, happier, and more successful

??????????????? If you believe it can be done or cannot be done – you are right.??

As with any story like this, there are a lot of side stories that go with it that are often not widely known.? Although there are many more than this – here is a sample.

The physician in row 12 who was convinced my parents were in his seat until the flight attendant helped him find his (he would not survive).? If you see me on a plane and ask me to switch seats, you may get a polite “No.”

The phone call I received early that Friday morning from a Catholic Priest I did not know telling me there was an explosion on the plane my parents were on.? It took hours before we learned they were alive.? I remember the words from the phone call from my dad like it was yesterday.

Calling my oldest sister to let her know this situation.? It was her first week at a new job.? Unique first impression.

Deciding not to contact my other older sister who was in class at college by that time, since we did not know what to tell her.? Sometimes the fear of not knowing what to say and having answers impacts decisions in difficult ways. ????

My dad reaching under his seat and feeling a person not his life vest (a flight attendant who luckily had fallen in the row behind them vs being sucked out the hole).?

The strangers next to them holding my dad’s hand because they were worried his seat was going to go out the hole (there was not really any floor left in front of them).? Thanks Jim and Neena!

My parents saying goodbye to each other and being thankful that “the kids” were almost grown.

One of the passengers, an artist who lost his life, who had painted a picture of a night sky on his bedroom ceiling and as best as I can tell, never really offered an explanation when asked.

However, what I personally experienced was minimal to those who lost their lives and their family members, and those who lived through this unique ordeal.? And we will always be reminded of those lives lost largely because of poor human decisions based on business financials.?

Fortunately, this is not a common human experience.? But for those most directly involved and closest to where this cargo door failed, the bonds they formed some 35 years ago are some of the most important they have ever had.? Because no matter how hard you try, it is difficult to imagine what this was like unless you lived through those 40 minutes.? I am proud of how well my parents have dealt with it when it is easy for the rest of us to forget at times.

Compassion.? Understanding.? Overcoming Loss, grief, and fear.? Survivor guilt. Responsibility for the lives we impact with the decisions we make.? Some decisions have the potential to impact others and those they love in significant ways.?

7/11, 811 and 9.11.? The number 1011 scares the cr*p out of me!?

Love to my family, and all those who were affected, and those who have supported us over the years.?

RIP “Oh Captain! My Captain.”

Rob ??????