The Unbelievable Story of United Airlines Flight 232 and the Heroic Efforts That Saved 185 Lives

On July 19, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232 was supposed to be a routine journey from Denver to Philadelphia, with a stopover at Chicago’s O'Hare International Airport. 

But what was meant to be a calm flight turned into a nightmare that would go down in history as one of the most extraordinary and tragic events in aviation.

The flight, operating a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft, would never reach its destination, and the world would soon witness an incredible story of survival against all odds, as the crew fought desperately for the lives of everyone aboard.

United Airlines, founded in 1931, had established itself as one of the largest and most respected carriers in the U.S.

As the airline continued to grow throughout the decades, its fleet modernized, with the Boeing 747s being a staple in the airline’s long-haul flights.

In the late 1980s, however, the aging DC-10s were nearing the end of their service life. Flight 232's DC-10, which was 18 years old, had seen many years of reliable service and had just surpassed over 43,000 flight hours.

On board, the crew was experienced, though one member was new to the DC-10. Captain Alfred Haynes, 57, had been with United since 1956, amassing over 7,000 hours flying the DC-10.

First Officer William Records, 48, had 32 years of flying experience, although he had just 600 hours in the DC-10. Flight Engineer Dudley Dvorak, 51, was relatively new to the DC-10, with just 33 hours of experience. 

But the crew’s combined knowledge and experience were about to be tested in the most extreme circumstances imaginable.

The plane took off at 3:04 p.m. from Denver, headed to Chicago. The flight seemed to be progressing smoothly, with the aircraft reaching its cruising altitude of 37,000 feet, and everything going as planned for the first hour.

However, at 3:16 p.m., disaster struck without warning. The crew was suddenly jolted by a violent bang, followed by the autopilot disengaging, and a malfunction warning for the number two engine.

Immediately, the pilots tried to reduce the engine’s power, but the throttles jammed. A catastrophic engine failure was underway.

As the crew struggled with the malfunctioning engine, they realized that something even more terrifying was happening.

The plane was no longer under the crew’s full control. A critical hydraulic failure was indicated on their instruments—the essential systems that were responsible for controlling the aircraft were depleted, and all attempts to restore them failed. The aircraft was now in a dangerous state, unable to maintain proper control.

The pilots were forced into a dire situation, with no established procedures to guide them through such a catastrophic loss of hydraulic power.

The plane entered a dangerous and erratic “fugoid cycle,” a series of violent up-and-down motions that made it increasingly difficult to stabilize the aircraft.

In what could only be described as a stroke of pure luck, an unlikely hero emerged. Denny Fitch, a 46-year-old flight instructor for the DC-10, happened to be aboard the flight as a passenger.

Fitch quickly realized that the situation aboard the plane mirrored the disaster of Japan Airlines Flight 123, which had also experienced catastrophic hydraulic failure four years prior. Fitch’s prior training and familiarity with the aircraft’s behavior under such conditions were crucial.

He joined the flight crew in the cockpit and helped them navigate the terrifying situation, offering his assistance in regaining rudimentary control over the aircraft by adjusting the remaining engines’ power and managing the plane’s pitch.

With Fitch’s guidance, the crew worked tirelessly, maintaining a fragile control over the flight. Despite the ongoing crisis, the pilots remained calm and composed, even joking about their dire circumstances.

In a moment of levity, Fitch quipped that they would have a beer when they finally landed safely, to which Captain Haynes humorously replied that he didn’t drink, but would gladly have one after the ordeal was over.

As the flight crew continued to battle the failing systems, they made their way toward Sioux Gateway Airport, preparing for an emergency landing.

The aircraft was in no condition to land safely on its intended runway, and the crew had to make last-minute adjustments to the approach. 

They aimed for Runway 22, where rescue vehicles were already in position to assist. But even then, the situation continued to deteriorate.

The plane was coming in high and fast, with only partial control over its flight path. The crew’s skillful use of the remaining engines’ power helped maintain control, but it was clear that the landing would be anything but normal. As the aircraft approached the runway, it began to bank sharply to the right.

The crew attempted to counteract the roll by increasing the thrust in the right engines, but it was too late. The aircraft’s right wing struck the runway, breaking off, and the plane slammed into the ground. The impact was catastrophic, with the fuselage disintegrating in a massive fireball.

Despite the intense fire that followed the crash, the survival rate of the passengers was astonishing. The fire burned for more than five hours, but 185 of the 271 people aboard survived.

Some passengers, like Jerry Schemmell, who had lost a friend in the crash, returned to the burning wreckage to save an 11-month-old child, demonstrating extraordinary courage.

Although many were saved through heroic actions and the swift response of emergency services, 112 people lost their lives in the disaster.

The investigation into the crash was swift but complex. The primary focus was the number two engine, which was found to be missing crucial components.

It was later determined that a fault in the engine’s disc fan, caused by an impurity in the steel used during manufacturing, led to a fatigue crack that eventually gave way mid-flight. The ensuing engine failure caused extensive damage to the aircraft’s tail, hydraulic systems, and fuel tanks, leading to the loss of control.

United Airlines’ maintenance procedures had failed to detect this flaw, which was ultimately responsible for the crash.

In the aftermath of the investigation, several safety measures were implemented across the aviation industry. United Airlines updated its maintenance procedures, and newer aircraft were equipped with improved hydraulic systems to prevent similar failures.

The crew’s response to the crisis became a case study in crew resource management, with many pilots citing it as a prime example of professionalism in the face of an impossible situation.

Despite their harrowing experience, the flight crew survived with serious injuries and received numerous accolades for their actions.

Captain Alfred Haynes went on to become an advocate for aviation safety, sharing his story with the public and participating in numerous interviews.

His remarkable calm under pressure, along with the heroic actions of his fellow crew members and passengers, helped solidify the story of Flight 232 as one of the most remarkable and tragic events in the history of aviation.

In conclusion, the story of United Airlines Flight 232 is one of survival against all odds. The actions of the flight crew, combined with the extraordinary bravery of passengers like Jerry Schemmell, are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable danger.

While the crash resulted in the loss of many lives, it also taught the aviation industry crucial lessons in safety, communication, and crew coordination, helping to prevent similar disasters in the future.

Flight 232 remains an enduring symbol of heroism and the importance of preparedness in the face of life-threatening emergencies.