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Remembering Flight 191

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American Airlines Flight 191 leaves the terminal at O'Hare International Airport and rolls out to a runway on May 25, 1979. Minutes later, it crashed. All 271 aboard the DC-10 and two people on the ground died. These photos were taken by Michael Laughlin, 24, a student pilot on a layover at O'Hare.
Michael Laughlin/for the Chicago Tribune
American Airlines Flight 191 leaves the terminal at O’Hare International Airport and rolls out to a runway on May 25, 1979. Minutes later, it crashed. All 271 aboard the DC-10 and two people on the ground died. These photos were taken by Michael Laughlin, 24, a student pilot on a layover at O’Hare.

Remembering Flight 191

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American Airlines Flight 191 leaves the terminal at O'Hare International Airport and rolls out to a runway on May 25, 1979. Minutes later, it crashed. All 271 aboard the DC-10 and two people on the ground died. These photos were taken by Michael Laughlin, 24, a student pilot on a layover at O'Hare.
American Airlines Flight 191 leaves the terminal at O’Hare International Airport and rolls out to a runway on May 25, 1979. Minutes later, it crashed. All 271 aboard the DC-10 and two people on the ground died. These photos were taken by Michael Laughlin, 24, a student pilot on a layover at O’Hare.
With its left engine missing, American Airlines Flight 191 goes into a severe roll, then crashes in a burst of flames less than a mile away from the runway in 1979. These photos were taken by Michael Laughlin, 24, a student pilot who was on a layover at O'Hare.
With its left engine missing, American Airlines Flight 191 goes into a severe roll, then crashes in a burst of flames less than a mile away from the runway in 1979. These photos were taken by Michael Laughlin, 24, a student pilot who was on a layover at O’Hare.
With its left engine missing, American Airlines Flight 191 goes into a steep roll, then crashes in a burst of flames less than a mile away from the runway in 1979. These photos were taken by Michael Laughlin, 24, a student pilot who was on a layover at O'Hare.
With its left engine missing, American Airlines Flight 191 goes into a steep roll, then crashes in a burst of flames less than a mile away from the runway in 1979. These photos were taken by Michael Laughlin, 24, a student pilot who was on a layover at O’Hare.
Smoke billows from the wreckage of Flight 191 after it crashed in a burst of flames less than a mile away from the runway at O’Hare in 1979. Elk Grove Village firefighters were at the scene of the crash in four minutes, but “it was total devastation,” one firefighter recalled.
Human remains are marked with numbered flags for identification as emergency workers sift through debris from Flight 191, which crashed after takeoff from O'Hare on May 25, 1979. The intensity of the blaze made it hard to identify victims.
Human remains are marked with numbered flags for identification as emergency workers sift through debris from Flight 191, which crashed after takeoff from O’Hare on May 25, 1979. The intensity of the blaze made it hard to identify victims.
A firefighter walks through the destruction at the crash site of Flight 191 on May 25, 1979, near O'Hare. A team of forensic dentists was called in to identify crash victims.
A firefighter walks through the destruction at the crash site of Flight 191 on May 25, 1979, near O’Hare. A team of forensic dentists was called in to identify crash victims.
Firefighters examine wreckage near a mobile home park after the crash of Flight 191 near O'Hare International Airport on May 25, 1979. An old aircraft hangar was destroyed, along with a mobile home and several cars.
Firefighters examine wreckage near a mobile home park after the crash of Flight 191 near O’Hare International Airport on May 25, 1979. An old aircraft hangar was destroyed, along with a mobile home and several cars.
After the flames were doused, firefighters and rescue teams set out May 25, 1979, on the grim task to find the remains of victims amid still-smoldering debris from the wreckage of Flight 191.
After the flames were doused, firefighters and rescue teams set out May 25, 1979, on the grim task to find the remains of victims amid still-smoldering debris from the wreckage of Flight 191.
An aerial view shows the crash site of American Airlines Flight 191 near O'Hare International Airport on May 25, 1979.
An aerial view shows the crash site of American Airlines Flight 191 near O’Hare International Airport on May 25, 1979.
Firefighters work to extinguish flames at the crash site of American Airlines Flight 191 near Touhy Avenue west of Mount Prospect Road on May 25, 1979.
Firefighters work to extinguish flames at the crash site of American Airlines Flight 191 near Touhy Avenue west of Mount Prospect Road on May 25, 1979.
An aerial view shows the crash site of American Airlines Flight 191 after it took off from O'Hare International Airport, seen at top of photo, in May 1979.
An aerial view shows the crash site of American Airlines Flight 191 after it took off from O’Hare International Airport, seen at top of photo, in May 1979.
Emergency workers sift through debris from American Airlines Flight 191 on May 26, 1979.
Emergency workers sift through debris from American Airlines Flight 191 on May 26, 1979.
Workers walk in the debris field of American Airlines Flight 191 after it crashed near O'Hare International Airport in May 1979.
Workers walk in the debris field of American Airlines Flight 191 after it crashed near O’Hare International Airport in May 1979.
Beneath the smoke lie fragments of American Airlines Flight 191 after it crashed and exploded on May 25, 1979, shortly after taking off from O'Hare International Airport. All aboard the jetliner and two on the ground were killed.
Beneath the smoke lie fragments of American Airlines Flight 191 after it crashed and exploded on May 25, 1979, shortly after taking off from O’Hare International Airport. All aboard the jetliner and two on the ground were killed.
American Airlines Flight 191, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10, was carrying 60 tons of fuel when it crashed and exploded, sending pieces of the aircraft in all directions. A landing gear assembly was one of the few things left intact on May 25, 1979.
American Airlines Flight 191, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10, was carrying 60 tons of fuel when it crashed and exploded, sending pieces of the aircraft in all directions. A landing gear assembly was one of the few things left intact on May 25, 1979.
A police officer keeps vigil beside a vehicle holding body bags at the American Airlines Flight 191 crash site on May 25, 1979.
A police officer keeps vigil beside a vehicle holding body bags at the American Airlines Flight 191 crash site on May 25, 1979.
After the flames were doused, firefighters and rescue teams set out to find victims' remains amid the smoldering debris from American Airlines Flight 191 on May 25, 1979.
After the flames were doused, firefighters and rescue teams set out to find victims’ remains amid the smoldering debris from American Airlines Flight 191 on May 25, 1979.
Flags mark the location of victims of the DC-10 crash near O'Hare International Airport as firefighters search for more bodies amid the jetliner's wreckage on May 25, 1979.
Flags mark the location of victims of the DC-10 crash near O’Hare International Airport as firefighters search for more bodies amid the jetliner’s wreckage on May 25, 1979.
A DC-10 engine lies on the grass just east of runway 32R where it came to rest after falling from Flight 191. Investigators are examining the engine on May 26, 1979, while lift equipment, top right, stands by to remove the engine.
A DC-10 engine lies on the grass just east of runway 32R where it came to rest after falling from Flight 191. Investigators are examining the engine on May 26, 1979, while lift equipment, top right, stands by to remove the engine.
A DC-10 engine is seen just east of runway 32R where it came to rest after falling from American Airlines Flight 191 during takeoff. Investigators examine the engine on May 26, 1979.
A DC-10 engine is seen just east of runway 32R where it came to rest after falling from American Airlines Flight 191 during takeoff. Investigators examine the engine on May 26, 1979.
Chicago's Mayor Jane Byrne, center, visits the crash site of American Airlines Flight 191 on May 25, 1979.
Chicago’s Mayor Jane Byrne, center, visits the crash site of American Airlines Flight 191 on May 25, 1979.
Emergency workers walk through wreckage of American Airlines Flight 191 in a field near a mobile home park on Touhy Avenue west of Mount Prospect Road in Des Plaines on May 26, 1979.
Emergency workers walk through wreckage of American Airlines Flight 191 in a field near a mobile home park on Touhy Avenue west of Mount Prospect Road in Des Plaines on May 26, 1979.
The remains of victims of America's worst air disaster are gathered in a temporary morgue at the north end of O'Hare International Airpot on May 27, 1979. Dozens of medical and dental experts were at work in the American Airlines hanger. Refrigerated trucks were stationed outside.
The remains of victims of America’s worst air disaster are gathered in a temporary morgue at the north end of O’Hare International Airpot on May 27, 1979. Dozens of medical and dental experts were at work in the American Airlines hanger. Refrigerated trucks were stationed outside.
Pieces of the DC-10 are removed by workmen from the site of the American Airlines Flight 191 crash near O'Hare International Airport in May 1979.
Pieces of the DC-10 are removed by workmen from the site of the American Airlines Flight 191 crash near O’Hare International Airport in May 1979.
As a choir sang the Lord's Prayer, a grieving relative of a Flight 191 victim hugs her daughter at Mary Seat of Wisdom Church in Park Ridge on May 28, 1979. About 1,300 people attended the ecumenical service at the church to mourn the victims of the DC-10 crash.
As a choir sang the Lord’s Prayer, a grieving relative of a Flight 191 victim hugs her daughter at Mary Seat of Wisdom Church in Park Ridge on May 28, 1979. About 1,300 people attended the ecumenical service at the church to mourn the victims of the DC-10 crash.
Plane wreckage is strewn near mobile homes after the crash of American Airlines Flight 191.
Plane wreckage is strewn near mobile homes after the crash of American Airlines Flight 191.
Workers clear debris at the site of the American Airlines Flight 191 crash at O'Hare International Airport on May 28, 1979.
Workers clear debris at the site of the American Airlines Flight 191 crash at O’Hare International Airport on May 28, 1979.
A man mourns at an ecumenical memorial service on May 28, 1979, for the victims of the Flight 191 crash. About 1,300 people attended the ceremony at Mary Seat of Wisdom Church in Park Ridge.
A man mourns at an ecumenical memorial service on May 28, 1979, for the victims of the Flight 191 crash. About 1,300 people attended the ceremony at Mary Seat of Wisdom Church in Park Ridge.
Mourners gather at a memorial service for the victims of the nation's worst aviation disaster at Mary Seat of Wisdom Church in Park Ridge in 1979.
Mourners gather at a memorial service for the victims of the nation’s worst aviation disaster at Mary Seat of Wisdom Church in Park Ridge in 1979.
Mourners cry over the casket of one of the 30 unidentified victims of American Airlines Flight 191 at burial services in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., on July 6, 1979. Catholic, Jewish and Protestant clergy officiated the services. The DC-10 had been bound for Los Angeles.
Mourners cry over the casket of one of the 30 unidentified victims of American Airlines Flight 191 at burial services in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., on July 6, 1979. Catholic, Jewish and Protestant clergy officiated the services. The DC-10 had been bound for Los Angeles.
Elwood Driver of the National Transportation Safety Board shows a nut and bolt from the wreckage of American Airlines Flight 191. Inspections after the crash showed a maintenance shortcut caused damage to where the pylon attaches to the wing.
Elwood Driver of the National Transportation Safety Board shows a nut and bolt from the wreckage of American Airlines Flight 191. Inspections after the crash showed a maintenance shortcut caused damage to where the pylon attaches to the wing.
William Shaefer, senior director of quality assurance for American Airlines, talks on May 27, 1979, about the spot where a bolt is missing on the engine that fell off Flight 191 before the DC-10 crashed near O'Hare International Airport two days earlier.
William Shaefer, senior director of quality assurance for American Airlines, talks on May 27, 1979, about the spot where a bolt is missing on the engine that fell off Flight 191 before the DC-10 crashed near O’Hare International Airport two days earlier.
William Shaefer, senior director of quality assurance for American Airlines, talks on May 27, 1979, with a group of people next to the engine that fell off American Airlines Flight 191 two days before.
William Shaefer, senior director of quality assurance for American Airlines, talks on May 27, 1979, with a group of people next to the engine that fell off American Airlines Flight 191 two days before.
American Airlines executives attend a July 30, 1979, hearing of the National Transportation Safety Board regarding Flight 191, which had crashed two months earlier. The public hearing into the tragedy was held at the Sheraton O'Hare hotel.
American Airlines executives attend a July 30, 1979, hearing of the National Transportation Safety Board regarding Flight 191, which had crashed two months earlier. The public hearing into the tragedy was held at the Sheraton O’Hare hotel.
To mark the 25th anniversary for the American Airlines Flight 191 crash, relatives met at O'Hare International Airport and then took buses to the crash site, shown here on May 25, 2004.
To mark the 25th anniversary for the American Airlines Flight 191 crash, relatives met at O’Hare International Airport and then took buses to the crash site, shown here on May 25, 2004.
Michael Lux, center, listens to Melody Smith, left, as she talks to the media on May 25, 2004, about the death of her parents, Corrinne and Bill Borchers, in the American Airlines Flight 191 crash 25 years prior. Lux's father, Walter, was the pilot of the aircraft. Kim Borchers Jockl, Smiths' sister, stands between them.
Michael Lux, center, listens to Melody Smith, left, as she talks to the media on May 25, 2004, about the death of her parents, Corrinne and Bill Borchers, in the American Airlines Flight 191 crash 25 years prior. Lux’s father, Walter, was the pilot of the aircraft. Kim Borchers Jockl, Smiths’ sister, stands between them.
Relatives of people killed in the American Airlines Flight 191 crash visit the crash site just north of the airport on May 25, 2004.
Relatives of people killed in the American Airlines Flight 191 crash visit the crash site just north of the airport on May 25, 2004.
Relatives of the people who were killed on American Airlines Flight 191 visit the crash site on May 25, 2004. It was the 25th anniversary since Flight 191 to Los Angeles crashed in a field shortly after taking off from O'Hare.
Relatives of the people who were killed on American Airlines Flight 191 visit the crash site on May 25, 2004. It was the 25th anniversary since Flight 191 to Los Angeles crashed in a field shortly after taking off from O’Hare.
Andrew Lux, of Lake Geneva, Wis., takes a rubbing of the brick bearing the name of his grandfather, Flight 191 pilot Capt. Walter H. Lux, at the crash memorial in Des Plaines on Oct. 15, 2011.
Andrew Lux, of Lake Geneva, Wis., takes a rubbing of the brick bearing the name of his grandfather, Flight 191 pilot Capt. Walter H. Lux, at the crash memorial in Des Plaines on Oct. 15, 2011.

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