Summary AI Generated
FlytheMaddog X - MD-80 livery repaint for Republic Airlines. Republic was formed with the merger of North Central Airlines and Southern Airways. It later acquired Hughes AirWest. The company was later purchased by Northwest Airlines which was acquired by Delta.
Cfischer2319
Spartan300
At this very moment, the hairs on the back of my neck are standing straight up. Way back in 1987, many of my family members were in Michigan for a family reunion. My Aunt and I needed to leave a few days early for work. We were on board a Continental flight to California. on push back, there was an issue with a servo motor something within the flaps . Back to the gate and deplaned.
If we took a later flight with a bunch of connections, we would get 1,000 bucks in flight vouchers. Heck yes!!! Not 15 minutes later, we were offered passage on another airline with a connection in Phoenix, Arizona and then on to California. But the vouchers would be taken back. I said nah, Ill wait for the later flight and keep the vouchers. My Aunt and a handful of others gave up the vouchers and boarded the aircraft. I went to get something to eat.
My Aunt and others who gave up the vouchers got on board Northwest Flight 255 on 16 August 1987. Just at 8:44, on the takeoff roll, just after rotating the plane could not gain altitude above 40 or 50 feet, wings rocked, left wing hit a light pole, cutting a portion of the left wing off, the aircraft went inverted and crashed on to Middlebelt road. All on board were killed except a precious little 4 year old girl. I think 2 people on the ground were also killed.
Cause of the mishap was the Captain and FO got distracted and did not run the B4 T/O or Taxi (not sure which one handled flaps) Checklist and forgot to configure the aircraft's flaps for T/O. No warning as they had pulled the T40 circuit breaker because Northwest pilots liked to taxi on one engine but doing so gave an aural warning, hence for pulling CB. Another warning (they could not get the auto throttle to engage early in the T/O roll) Mu Uncle was able to ID a severed finger with a wedding ring on it! That's how my Aunt Ginger was ID'd
I have been looking for this specific Northwest Livery for years as I am trying to recreate the failures of that awful night. Northwest had just absorbed Republic Airlines and NW 255 still had the Republic livery (with Northwest branding).
I would like to ask the person who created this livery, if they would consider changing Republic lettering for Northwest) with still keeping the Republic livery
RepublicDC9
Magnificent job! As someone who flew Republic as a youngster this brings back great memories thank you!
AeroFlyr
Thank you for making this livery!