Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac

Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac

Year: 1984

Runtime: 120 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Michael Lewis

TV MovieDrama

The True Story Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac dramatizes the Jan 13 1982 crash of Air Florida Flight 90 near Washington, D.C. It follows the key participants through the day, reconstructing the cause, casualties and survivors. The film includes authentic news footage and accurate depictions of the aircraft and airline.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac (1984)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac (1984). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

January 1982

The events take place on January 13, 1982, during a harsh mid-winter storm. The timeline follows the flight from its Florida origin to its fateful takeoff and subsequent crash, with rescue attempts unfolding in real time amid freezing conditions.

Location

Washington, D.C., Potomac River, Washington National Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The story centers on Washington, D.C. and the Potomac River, with critical action at Washington National Airport during a blizzard. The crash occurs after the flight departs from Florida and attempts to land in a severe snowstorm, ultimately ending in the river near a major bridge. Survivors are taken to hospitals across Florida as families await news, highlighting the cross-state impact of the disaster.

❄️ Snowstorm 🌉 14th Street Bridge 🛬 Washington National Airport 🏖️ Fort Lauderdale

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:16

Main Characters – Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac (1984)

Meet the key characters of Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac (1984), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Roger Olian (Richard Masur)

A maintenance man whose sense of duty drives him to try to reach survivors in the freezing river. His actions under pressure reveal a calm, selfless courage that defines the crisis for many viewers. He embodies practical leadership and protective instincts toward others.

🛟 Heroism 💪 Duty 🌊 Courage 👨‍👦 Family

Donna Olian (Jane Kaczmarek)

Roger's wife, employed at the Naval Recruitment Office, faces the emotional strain of waiting for news amid the disaster. Her perspective anchors the personal cost of the event and the theme of family resilience.

❤️ Family 😔 Waiting 🕊️ Resilience 👩‍💼 Professional

Marilyn Nichols (Jamie Rose)

A pregnant flight attendant starting a new chapter in life. Her presence on the flight highlights the vulnerability of those on board and the personal stakes of the passengers.

👩‍✈️ Flight crew 👶 Birth 💔 Loss 💫 Hope

Priscilla Tirado (Dinah Manoff)

A passenger who becomes part of the chain of events during the emergency, displaying resolve under pressure as she battles the freezing conditions and seeks safety.

🧭 Resolve 💔 Loss 🧊 Cold 👥 Human connection

Nicki Felch (Jeannetta Arnette)

A passenger traveling with her boss, drawing attention to the diverse lives aboard the flight and the shared fate of strangers connected by a single moment.

👥 Strangers 🧊 Cold 💬 Communication 🛟 Survival

Joe Stiley (Stephen Macht)

A passenger on the trip with Nikki, whose choices during the crisis reflect the tension between self-preservation and aiding others.

🧭 Duty 🤝 Selflessness 🏃‍♂️ Action 👔 Professional

Bert Hamilton (Barry Corbin)

A businessman who contemplates a Florida trip for work while balancing concern for his family amid the unfolding disaster.

💼 Career 🏠 Family 🛟 Courage 🌊 Crisis

Al Hamilton (Chad Lowe)

Bert's son, a younger perspective within the family unit, illustrating the generational impact of the tragedy and the desire to protect loved ones.

👦 Family 💔 Loss 🛟 Hope 🧭 Duty

Barbara Hamilton (K Callan)

Bert's wife, representing the family unit affected by the accident and the emotional aftershocks that follow a disaster.

👩‍👧 Family 💔 Grief 🕯️ Remembrance 👫 Support

Kelly Duncan (Kathleen Wilhoite)

A fellow flight attendant on board, sharing in the crew's responsibility to manage safety and passenger needs amid crisis.

👩‍✈️ Flight crew 🛟 Teamwork 🧊 Cold 🗺️ Crisis

Arland Williams (Donnelly Rhodes)

A pivotal figure who sacrifices himself by passing the rescue rope to others, embodying ultimate selflessness and heroism.

💔 Sacrifice 🛟 Heroism 🌊 Daring 🕊️ Sacrifice

Captain Larry Wheaton (James Whitmore Jr)

The flight's captain who faces a dangerous takeoff in icing conditions, reflecting leadership under extreme duress.

🧭 Leadership 🛩️ Aviation ⚠️ Crisis 🧊 Ice

Jose Tirado (Richard Beauchamp)

Priscilla Tirado's husband, part of the couple traveling for a new job, illustrating the personal stakes beyond the immediate accident.

👫 Couple 🧭 Journey 💔 Loss 🛟 Survival

David Frank (Ken Olin)

Nikki Felch's boyfriend, whose reaction to the disaster reflects the relationships and hopes that frame the survivors' stories.

💬 Relationships 💔 Loss 🛟 Rescue 🔎 Tension

Larry Nichols (Richard Backus)

A relative of one of the survivors, contributing to the community and family-level impact of the event.

👥 Family ties 📣 Community 🧭 Duty 🌀 Aftermath

Carole Biggs (Kerrie Keane)

A passenger aboard the flight, representative of the many lives affected by the crash and the human mosaic on the plane.

👥 Passenger 🌊 Crisis 💔 Loss 🕊️ Remembrance

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:16

Major Themes – Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac (1984)

Explore the central themes of Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac (1984), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛟 Heroism

The narrative spotlights acts of selflessness under extreme pressure. Roger Olian's and Arland Williams's refusals to abandon others, along with bystander rescues such as Lenny Skutnik's, illustrate how ordinary people become heroes when time is scarce.

💔 Loss

The crash brings sudden, profound grief to families and friends who wait for news. The film uses personal stories to convey the emotional toll of tragedy, beyond the statistics of a disaster.

🚁 Rescue Efforts

Crisis-response dynamics are shown through ground crews and helicopters racing to the wreckage. The narrative examines both ingenuity and limitations in rescue procedures, showing how rapid decisions shape who survives.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:16

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Unlock the Full Story of Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac

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Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac Summary

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Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac Summary

Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac Timeline

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Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac Timeline

More About Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac

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