-->

• A Continental Airlines plane ran off of the runway at Denver International Airport during takeoff on December 20, 2008. The Boeing 737 then crashed into a 40-foot deep ravine and burst into flames. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, 38 people were injured in the accident, and five remained hospitalized on the afternoon of December 21, 2008.CNN: Data recorders found after Denver plane accident

  On December 22, 2008, reports said the federal investigators had recovered the flight's data and voice recorders. Initial reports indicated an aborted takeoff combined with a heavy crosswind and possible braking problems might have caused the plane to skid off the runway.CNN: Data recorders found after Denver plane accident FOX News: Denver Jet Crash Investigators Focus on Brakes, Crosswind (December 22, 2008) Passengers were apparently told that the plane had experienced "engine problems" at the gate by officials before they boarded. They were then told "everything is fine" and were allowed to board.CNN: Passenger: Airline announced 'engine problems' before flight (December 22, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. Continental Airlines Flight 1404 involved in the crashDenver Post: DIA crash injures 58
  2. Was a Boeing 737-500 jet; flight was bound for Houston, Texas, from Denver, ColoradoCNN: Data recorders found after Denver plane accident
  3. Accident occurred at 6: 18 PM MST on December 20, 2008Denver Post: DIA crash injures 58
  4. 115 people were on board, including five crew members; 38 injuries reportedCNN: Data recorders found after Denver plane accident
  5. No fatalitiesCNN: Data recorders found after Denver plane accident
  6. The worst accident at Denver International Airport to dateDenver Post: DIA crash injures 58
  7. Fire reportedly occurred on the plane's right wingDemidog Blog: Twitterer relates his experience in Denver plane crash
  8. Passengers housed in President's Club after the accidentDemidog Blog: Twitterer relates his experience in Denver plane crash
  9. Some passengers used Twitter to communicate after the accidentDemidog Blog: Twitterer relates his experience in Denver plane crash

• Quotes

  "For some reason, I just didn't believe it was happening. I was just kind of going with the moment. Everything just sounded a lot quieter. I just felt a glow on my right side. That was the only light I had in the entire cabin and I felt the warmth. I didn't smell anything right away yet. I just heard someone yell, 'It's on fire! Get out!' We all just left."—Kristina Beagle, passenger on Continental Airlines Flight 1404CBS News: Amid Chaos, Passengers Remained Calm (December 22, 2008)

  "whoever was on the left side exit row, god bless him, was johnny on the spot and instantly had the door open - people crowded out in a mass"— Mike Wilson, aka "2drinksbehind" on TwitterDemidog Blog: Twitterer relates his experience in Denver plane crash

  "You have your wits scared out of you, drag your butt out of a flaming ball of wreckage and you can't even get a vodka-tonic. Boo"— Mike Wilson, aka "2drinksbehind" on TwitterDemidog Blog: Twitterer relates his experience in Denver plane crash

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Continental Airlines | DJ AM Plane Crash | Qantas Emergency Landing | Plane Shoots Off Runway Madrid | Denver | Colorado | Spanair Flight jk5022 | Spanair Disaster | Jet Slides Off Runway | Congo DC-9 Crash | Honduras Plane Crash | Brazil Airbus 320 Plane Crash | Chesley B Sullenberger | Jeremy Lusk Crash Video | Buffalo Plane Crash | Continental Flight 3407 | Cessna 421 | Cleveland Plane Crash

Categories

• View History
• Discuss on the Message Board
• Embed this Page
• Share this page