Thursday marks 25 years since Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed in the Detroit suburb of Romulus.
The Phoenix-bound jetliner crashed on Aug. 16, 1987, killing 154 people aboard and two on the ground. The lone survivor was Cecelia Cichan, who was 4 at the time.
Play the video as Fox 2's Jason Carr takes a look back at this tragic event. He talks with a former Sergeant of the Wayne County Sheriff's Department, Bruce Schneider, who was among the first to arrive on the scene. Jason also talks to a man who bought a ticket on the flight, but never got on the plane.
The plane was just clearing the runway at 8:46 p.m. when it tilted slightly. The left wing clipped a light pole, and the damaged airliner sheared the top off a rental car building.
The McDonnell Douglas MD80 left a half-mile trail of bodies, charred wreckage, magazines and trays of food along Middle Belt Road when it crashed on Aug. 16, 1987.
The National Transportation Safety Board concluded the plane's crew failed to set the wing flaps properly for takeoff. The agency also said a cockpit warning system did not alert the crew to the problem.
The memorial event is set for Thursday night at the Northwest Flight 255 memorial site on the embankment of Middlebelt Road at the entrance to Interstate 94 in Romulus. The service is to include a reading of the names of the victims.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Monday, May 13 2013 5:03 PM EDT2013-05-13 21:03:13 GMT
WCSX will be at Roy O'Brien Ford in St. Clair Shores and Malarkey's in Westland collecting donations for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke until 7:00 p.m. Monday.
WCSX will be at Roy O'Brien Ford in St. Clair Shores and Malarkey's in Westland collecting donations for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke until 7:00 p.m. Monday.
Tuesday, May 7 2013 5:39 PM EDT2013-05-07 21:39:59 GMT
In a nondescript building in a Warren commercial park, an amazing animal clinic and hospital called All About Animals is doing good work for pets and their owners.
In a nondescript building in a Warren commercial park, an amazing animal clinic and hospital called All About Animals is doing good work for pets and their owners.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:06 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:06:33 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z." Pitt stunned the crowd at the Clearview Cinemas when he walked in just before the start of the special screening.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:23:09 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:28 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:28:29 GMT
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:08:29 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:46:23 GMT
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:48 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:48:50 GMT
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction.
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction two months ago on corruption charges.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:58:41 GMT
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:38 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
