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Flight 232: It's been 35 years since United Airlines' deadly airplane crash in Iowa

Flight 232: It's been 35 years since United Airlines' deadly airplane crash in Iowa
United flight 232 out of Denver was on its way to Chicago this afternoon, *** direct flight with no stops in Iowa. But shortly after 330 the pilot radioed in that the plane had problems, problems that turned out to be hydraulic failure throughout the aircraft. The pilot was attempting to make an emergency landing at Sioux City. At about four o'clock, emergency crews were standing Rick Sorenson with the Iowa National Guard had just landed his own plane and was watching. He said it appeared, the United pilot was going to make it but then probably about 100 ft above the ground or so, maybe 150 ft hard to say the airplane began to roll to the right and it appeared, he almost stopped it for *** minute, maybe in about *** 10 to 15 degree right bang. But then the plane continued to roll to the right and impacted the ground at about the end of the runway. Runway 22, there was *** tremendous fireball. The airplane did disintegrate came apart. I'm very much amazed that there was, there were any survivors at all when the light dipped, it slid on the runway. Oh, jeez. I know about 100 ft as it slid down the runway, an explosion occurred, sent the fuselages up in the air. It's spinning off that way. Part of the fuselages burned here. Part of it burned. We're right about there. It was awful. The main section of the fuselage remained relatively intact but it caught fire immediately. It's believed that this is where many of the survivors were sitting in the plane. When it crashed. As we approached the ground, the right wing dropped and I was sitting on the right hand side and peeking out the window and saying, kissing my *** goodbye because this is it, baby. All I got was *** scratch on my left hand. But I came out into this cornfield full of people with *** girl with both. She was still alive with both feet missing and the one of the crew members with *** big hole in the front of his head. I I hope he survived. He seemed to be all right. He was in terrible shot blood all over the place and sees debris. And uh it's *** damn experience. I've, I've been flying for 35 years and I've never had *** crash and it's just, I mean, you're helpless.
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Flight 232: It's been 35 years since United Airlines' deadly airplane crash in Iowa
On July 19, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232 heading from Denver to Chicago suffered catastrophic engine failure. Coordinating with air traffic control, the pilot decided to land in Sioux City.The plane crashed while attempting to land and erupted into a fireball, shattering into pieces and killing 112 people — 184 survived.Watch the video above to see vlog's report from July 19, 1989. » Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayA timeline of United Flight 232Flight 232 took off from Denver at 2:09 p.m., bound for Chicago on July 19, 1989. At 3:16 p.m., a cracked fan blade disintegrated, causing the engine to fail, and the debris severed the plane’s three hydraulic lines. The pilot, Capt. Alfred "Al" Haynes, lost all flight controls.Air Traffic Control gave Haynes options for landing, including the Des Moines International Airport. Because control over the plane was so poor, he picked the closest location: Sioux City. Flight 232 archives: Final communications from the cockpit before the tragic crashJust before 4 p.m., the plane cartwheeled down the runway upon touching down. The wreckage left a mile-long path from the runway into a nearby cornfield.Flight 232 archives: Survivors share their harrowing stories National Transportation and Safety Board officials said it was amazing that so many people survived. Bob Hamilton, the former Sioux City fire chief, said having a good disaster plan and plenty of warning time helped save lives.Flight 232 archives: Former Sioux City Fire Chief Bob Hamilton speaks out Haynes was a former Marine pilot who had been with United for 33 years. Six days after the crash, he spoke to reporters about why he chose Sioux City.Flight 232 archives: Captain Al Haynes recounts what happened inside the cockpit The initial engine failure happened while flying over Alta, Iowa, 70 miles east of Sioux City. During the fall harvest, two major pieces of the aircraft were found a half mile away from each other.Flight 232 archives: Missing engine fan uncovered in fall harvestFlight 232 archives: Last missing piece found in Alta corn stalks Ten years later, vlog's Todd Magel talked to witnesses who recounted the events of that day. Flight 232 archives: Saviors and Survivors At least survivors of the crash went on to write books about their experience. Jerry Schemmel wrote "Chosen to Live," and Joe Trombello wrote "Miracle in a Cornfield." Both men talked with vlog's Todd Magel 10 years after the crash.Flight 232 archives: Survivors recount their experience 10 years laterThe MidAmerican Museum in Sioux City is home to the Flight 232 exhibit. There's an annual open house on July 19 with free admission and free-will donations to support the exhibits.What happened to Flight 232 in 1989? Remembering United Airlines' deadliest plane crash
SIOUX CITY, Iowa —

On July 19, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232 heading from Denver to Chicago suffered catastrophic engine failure. Coordinating with air traffic control, the pilot decided to land in Sioux City.

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The plane crashed while attempting to land and erupted into a fireball, shattering into pieces and killing 112 people — 184 survived.

Watch the video above to see vlog's report from July 19, 1989.

» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: |

A timeline of United Flight 232

Flight 232 took off from Denver at 2:09 p.m., bound for Chicago on July 19, 1989.

At 3:16 p.m., a cracked fan blade disintegrated, causing the engine to fail, and the debris severed the plane’s three hydraulic lines. The pilot, Capt. Alfred "Al" Haynes, lost all flight controls.

Air Traffic Control gave Haynes options for landing, including the Des Moines International Airport. Because control over the plane was so poor, he picked the closest location: Sioux City.

Flight 232 archives: Final communications from the cockpit before the tragic crash

Just before 4 p.m., the plane cartwheeled down the runway upon touching down. The wreckage left a mile-long path from the runway into a nearby cornfield.

Flight 232 archives: Survivors share their harrowing stories

National Transportation and Safety Board officials said it was amazing that so many people survived. Bob Hamilton, the former Sioux City fire chief, said having a good disaster plan and plenty of warning time helped save lives.

Flight 232 archives: Former Sioux City Fire Chief Bob Hamilton speaks out

Haynes was a former Marine pilot who had been with United for 33 years. Six days after the crash, he spoke to reporters about why he chose Sioux City.

Flight 232 archives: Captain Al Haynes recounts what happened inside the cockpit

The initial engine failure happened while flying over Alta, Iowa, 70 miles east of Sioux City. During the fall harvest, two major pieces of the aircraft were found a half mile away from each other.

Flight 232 archives: Missing engine fan uncovered in fall harvest

Flight 232 archives: Last missing piece found in Alta corn stalks

Ten years later, vlog's Todd Magel talked to witnesses who recounted the events of that day.

Flight 232 archives: Saviors and Survivors

At least survivors of the crash went on to write books about their experience. Jerry Schemmel wrote "Chosen to Live," and Joe Trombello wrote "Miracle in a Cornfield." Both men talked with vlog's Todd Magel 10 years after the crash.

Flight 232 archives: Survivors recount their experience 10 years later

The in Sioux City is home to the Flight 232 exhibit. There's an annual open house on July 19 with free admission and free-will donations to support the exhibits.

What happened to Flight 232 in 1989? Remembering United Airlines' deadliest plane crash