31 Killed in Milwaukee Plane Crash: A Tragedy That Shook the Midwest

On September 6, 1985, a tragic aviation disaster unfolded as Midwest Express Flight 105 crashed shortly after taking off from Milwaukee’s General Mitchell Field. The crash, which claimed the lives of all 31 people aboard, was a devastating blow to the small airline industry and sent shockwaves through the aviation community.

The flight was en route from Madison, Wisconsin, to Atlanta, Georgia, with a brief stopover in Milwaukee. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-10, departed at approximately 3:25 p.m. CDT, but just moments after liftoff, the plane’s fate was sealed. Witnesses reported seeing the plane climb to a height of 600 to 700 feet before one of the engines emitted a puff of smoke and possibly caught fire. Shortly after this, the plane rolled to one side, spiraled out of control, and plunged nose-first into a heavily wooded area south of the airport.

The scene of the crash was nothing short of horrific. Witnesses described the aircraft performing “barrel rolls” as it went down, with the plane bursting into flames upon impact. Pamela Murr, a traffic reporter for WTMJ radio, was one of the first to report on the crash. She recalled, “The plane made a couple of barrel rolls and went down nose-first. It burst into flames.” This harrowing description was a testament to the terrifying final moments of the flight.

The Pilot’s Last Words

Just moments before the plane went down, the pilot radioed the air traffic control tower at General Mitchell Field, stating, “I have an emergency.” These final words, uttered in a desperate bid for help, would be the last communication from the flight crew. Tragically, the pilot did not elaborate on the nature of the emergency, leaving investigators with limited information as to what might have gone wrong.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials noted that the flight had appeared routine in the early stages. The weather was clear, and the aircraft was only a short distance from the airport when disaster struck. The suddenness of the incident, coupled with the limited communication from the pilot, left many with unanswered questions about what might have caused such a catastrophic failure.

Immediate Response and Devastation

The crash occurred in a densely wooded area, which made rescue operations incredibly difficult. Assistant Fire Chief Richard Seelen of Milwaukee emphasized the utter devastation of the scene. He told the Associated Press, “There is nothing we could have done if we had been there right on the scene. It was total devastation.” Firefighters, paramedics, and rescue teams rushed to the site, but the damage was so extensive that there was little hope of finding survivors.

The fire at the crash site was so intense that it could be seen from miles away. Catherine Pokorny, the nursing supervisor at a nearby hospital, described how hospital personnel, despite not yet being officially alerted, had already started returning to work due to the proximity of the airport. “The fire was so high,” she said, reflecting the magnitude of the disaster.

As fire crews fought to contain the blaze, other first responders struggled to navigate through the dense woods. Scott Scrima, a 27-year-old employee at an airport freight company, ventured into the forested area and witnessed the aftermath of the crash firsthand. He recalled, “I saw a lot of smoke. I saw a lot of little pieces. It looked like a forest fire had swept the scene.” The wreckage spread across a large area, making the already dangerous recovery effort even more challenging.

Midwest Express and the DC-9: An Airline in its Infancy

Midwest Express, a small regional carrier based in Appleton, Wisconsin, was operating its fourth day of flights between Madison and Milwaukee when this tragedy occurred. The airline, which had only been in business since June 1984, had grown quickly in the early years, serving major routes between Wisconsin, Atlanta, and Dallas-Fort Worth. The airline was owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation, a company most famous for its paper products.

Midwest Express was still in the early stages of its operations, and Flight 105 was part of an effort to expand their reach in the Midwest. According to Timothy Hoeksema, the airline president, the flight had 31 people aboard, including several employees of Kimberly-Clark. The identities of the passengers were initially withheld, but it was known that many were local residents of Wisconsin, with some originating from the Madison area. Tragically, the crash claimed the lives of all passengers and crew on board, forever altering the lives of the families and communities involved.

The aircraft involved in the accident, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9, had been a workhorse of the U.S. short-haul airline fleet for many years. A twin-engine jet, the DC-9 had a solid safety record, and its design had made it a popular choice for regional carriers. The specific model involved, a DC-9-10, had been delivered to its original owner in 1968. Although this particular aircraft had a lengthy history, the DC-9 family was renowned for its safety and reliability, making the crash all the more shocking.

Possible Causes and Investigations

Initial reports from witnesses suggested that a possible engine failure might have contributed to the crash. Construction worker Russ Lewandoski, one of the witnesses, described hearing a “pop” before the plane began to roll and crash. He speculated that the aircraft might have experienced an engine failure, adding, “It seemed like he turned to the engine that was dead, then it went down.”

FAA officials began an immediate investigation into the causes of the crash, and experts began considering several possible scenarios. One potential explanation for the catastrophic failure was an issue with one of the Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines, which powered the DC-9. If one of the engines experienced a catastrophic malfunction, such as a disintegrating turbine blade or disc, it could have led to the loss of control. Such failures had been documented in previous accidents involving the same engine type, though no definitive cause was established at the time of the crash.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), led by Chairman Jim Burnett, quickly mobilized a team of investigators to examine the wreckage and determine the precise cause of the crash. A primary focus of the investigation was to recover the aircraft’s flight data recorders, often referred to as the “black boxes,” which would provide crucial information about the plane’s performance during the flight and potentially offer insight into the final moments before the crash.

As investigators examined the wreckage, they also noted the possibility of mechanical issues, including hydraulic or structural failures, that could have compromised the plane’s ability to maintain control. However, given the complexity of the incident, it would take weeks or even months before the NTSB could provide a definitive report on what caused the crash.

A Devastating Year for Aviation

The crash of Flight 105 was the third major aviation disaster in the United States in 1985, and it added to an already alarming tally of fatalities in civil aviation. By the time of the Milwaukee crash, at least 1,400 people had lost their lives in 16 separate accidents worldwide, making 1985 one of the deadliest years in aviation history. The accident was a reminder of the risks involved in air travel, even in the relatively safe world of commercial aviation.

For Midwest Express, the tragedy represented an immense setback for a company that had worked hard to build its reputation and customer base. The airline, which had prided itself on its personalized service and competitive fares, now found itself at the center of one of the most harrowing aviation disasters of the decade.

Conclusion

The crash of Midwest Express Flight 105 in Milwaukee was a tragedy that affected not only the families of the victims but also the broader aviation community. In the wake of the disaster, questions arose about the safety of regional airlines, the aging fleet of aircraft, and the need for better communication and preparedness in the event of an emergency. While the investigation continued, the loss of 31 lives served as a somber reminder of the inherent risks of air travel, even in an era of advanced technology and safety protocols.

The victims of the crash were mourned by their families, friends, and colleagues, and their memories would live on in the hearts of those who knew them. As investigators continued to search for answers, the tragic loss of life on Flight 105 would forever remain a painful chapter in the history of Midwest Express and in the annals of aviation disasters.