Registration is now open for the 2014 Iowa Aviation Conference, slated for April 22-23 in Des Moines. A featured speaker will be Capt. Al Haynes, who will speak on teamwork in a crisis based on the story of the crash of Flight 232 in Sioux City.
The first day of the conference will include a 4 p.m. opening of the exhibit hall, a welcome reception, and a free safety seminar at 7 p.m. featuring Haynes. The seminar is open to pilots, airport operators, and first responders.
The next day, conference attendees will have a full day of educational sessions and networking with breakfast, lunch, and breaks in the exhibit hall, according to organizers.
In 1989, 25 years ago this year, United Airlines Flight 232 crashed at the Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City. While other high profile aircraft accidents have etched their way into Iowa’s aviation history, none had reached the scale and tragedy of the Flight 232 accident, state aviation officials noted. While 112 people lost their lives, 184 people survived.
Haynes has been credited for his efforts in piloting the damaged aircraft and minimizing the loss of life. That 184 people survived the crash can be attributed to many factors, including luck, communications, preparation, execution, and cooperation.