Plane Facts: Sole Survivors

Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 09:51 AM ET

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A memorial erected to the 49 victims of Comair Flight 5191, which crashed while taking off in Lexington, Kentucky, in 2006, after accidentally using a too-short runway. Only the co-pilot survived.

Key Takeaways:

Bahia Bakari, age 14, was the sole survivor of Yemenia Flight 626, clinging to wreckage for over nine hours after the 2009 crash.
Four-year-old Cecelia Cichan was the only survivor of Northwest Airlines Flight 255 (1987), found shielded under her deceased mother.
Several cases highlight the extraordinary resilience of sole survivors, enduring extended periods of survival after crashes with high fatality counts, including extended time at sea, in remote locations, and significant injuries.
Notable cases include Vesna Vulovic, who survived a bomb explosion on JAT Flight 367 (1972) and fell the furthest distance (6.31 miles) to survive a plane crash.

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Fatalities In Crash Of Yemenia Flight 626 (2009): 152 (2009)
Survivors: 1
Name: Bahia Bakari
Age: 14
Hours Spent At Sea Clinging To Wreckage: Nine-plus
Injuries: Hypothermia, fractured collarbone
Last Memory Before Crash: Announcement to fasten seatbelt

Fatalities On Northwest Airlines Flight 255 (1987): 154
Fatalities On The Ground: 2
Lone Survivor: Cecelia Cichan, age 4
How She Was Found: Shielded under her mother
Gifts Received In Hospital: 2,000+
Cards: 30,000+
Special Attendee At Her Wedding: Firefighter who saved her life

Crash Where Sole Survivor Was At The Controls: Comair Flight 5191 (2006)
Cause: Incorrect runway/runway overrun
Runway Used: 26, 3,501 ft
Length The CL-600 Required For Takeoff: 3,744 ft

Sole Survivor Left Stranded In Remote Mountain Range: Annette Herfkens
Crash: Vietnamese Airlines Flight VN474 (1992)
Fatalities: 30
Days Before Rescue: 8
Herfkens’ Injuries: Fractured hips, collapsed lung, broken jaw

Longest Time Before A Sole Survivor Was Rescued: 11 days
Location: Amazon rainforest
Crash: LANSA Flight 508 (1971)
Fatalities: 91
Cause: Lightning strike
Miles Survivor Fell From Sky: 2

Furthest Distance Fallen From Plane And Survived: 6.31 miles
Survivor: Vesna Vulovic
Occupation: Flight attendant
Crash Involved: JAT Flight 367 (1972)
Cause: Briefcase bomb
Fatalities: 27