Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

WHERE: Everglades, Miami, FL
WHEN: May 11 1996 2:15pm
DETAILS: Crashed 15 miles from the airport after the crew reported fire and smoke aboard. In-flight fire caused by live oxygen canisters in the forward cargo hold which were outdated, improperly labeled and lacked safety caps.
AIRCRAFT: DC-9-32
REGO: N904VJ
Occupants: 5 crew + 105 passengers = 110
Fatalities: 5 crew + 105 passengers = 110
Survivors: 0 crew + 0 passengers = 0


CONTROL TOWER RECORDING

ValuJet CVR (black box)

CLICK to Play Real Audio 224K
ControllerCritter 592 contact Miami Center on 132.45 (MHz) so long.
Controller Critter 592 contact Miami Center 132.45.
ValuJet 592 Uh, 592 needs an immediate return to, uh, Miami.
Controller Critter 592, uh, roger, turn left heading 270, descend and maintain 7000.
ValuJet 592 270, 7000, 592.
Controller What kind of problem are you having?
ValuJet 592 Uh, smoke in the cockpit, smoke in the cabin.
Controller Roger.
Controller Critter 592, uh, when able turn left heading 250, descend and maintain 5000.
ValuJet 592 250, 7000.
(The following is the controller coordinating the emergency between another sector controller)
Controller Winco 49, Winco 49.
Winco Control Winco.
Controller Yea, Critter 592's coming back to Miami, he's got an emergency, Eagle 703 wants twelve thousand as a final.
Winco Control I'll take it.
Controller J.F. (controller's initials)
ValuJet 592 Critter 592, we need the, uh, closest airport available.
(At this point, the cockpit is completely filled with smoke, the airplane is on fire, the passengers can be heared screaming in the background and the sound of air can be heard rushing by as the aircraft nose dives towards the ground. The distress in the co-pilot's voice is quite evident.)
Controller Critter 592, their gonna be standin, standing by for, you can plan runway "one two" when able direct to Dolphin (VOR) now.
ValuJet 592Need radar vectors!
Controller Critter 592, turn left heading 140.
ValuJet 592 140. (last transmission heard from 592)
ControllerCritter 592, keep the turn around heading, uh, 120.
ValuJet 592Sound of a microphone being keyed by ValuJet 592
American1462:American 1462 we're passing 2 for 5.
ControllerAmerican 1462, uh, roger.
ControllerCritter 592 contact Miami approach on, corrections, no, you, you just, uh, keep my frequency.
ControllerAmerican 960, turn left heading 270, join the Winco transition.
American 960Heading 270 to join the Winco transition, American 960.
ControllerEagle 703 contact Miami center now on 132.45.
ControllerCritter 592 you can, uh, turn left heading 100 and join the runway 12 localizer at Miami.
ControllerCritter 592 descend and maintain 3000.
ControllerCritter 592 Opa Locka airport's about, uh, 12 o'clock and 15 miles.



Please fill out my Feedback form for any comments or suggestions.
View Feedback I. View Feedback II.

I want to go Home.