Air Florida Made Fatal Deicing Gamble

In 1982, the pilots of Air Florida Flight 90 faced snowy weather before takeoff from Washington National Airport but did not return for more deicing because they did not want to lose their takeoff spot. Instead, they moved behind a DC-9 in the queue, believing its engine exhaust would help melt ice from their wings. The plan backfired, added to the aircraft's icing problems, and contributed to a crash into the Potomac River that killed 74 people on board.

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