Community Corner
Flight 587 Crash Victims Honored In Washington Heights
West 181st Street and Amsterdam Avenue was co-named Flight 587 Way in honor of the 265 people who died in the November 2001 plane crash.
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Washington Heights residents and officials braved the rain Sunday to honor the victims of American Airlines Flight 587, which crashed in Queens on Nov. 12, 2001.
West 181st Street and Amsterdam Avenue was co-named Flight 587 way to memorialized the 265 people who died in the 2001 plane crash. On the morning of Nov. 12, 2001, a plane departing John F. Kennedy International Airport for the Dominican Republic crashed in Belle Harbor, Queens.
The crash greatly affected New York City's Dominican community, of which many people knew or were related to somebody who died, Washington Heights officials said Sunday.
"The crash of Flight 587, on November 12, 2001, claimed the lives of all 265 victims, most of whom were Dominican or Dominican-American," Congressman Adriano Espaillat said Sunday. "We must always remember the lives of those lost that day, and I am proud to stand with the Dominican community to help memorialize those affected by this catastrophe."
Several elected officials including Espaillat, City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, State Assemblywoman Carmen De La Rosa and State Senator Marisol Alcantara attended the ceremony.
Family members of victims were also present at the co-naming ceremony.
"I have no doubt this is the most meaningful tribute that has been made in honor of our loved ones who passed away on November 12, 2001." family member Oscar Abreu said Sunday. "And one way that we can always remember and having them present is having this name of Flight 587 as a street name."
American Airline Flight 587 crashed due to an in-flight separation of the plane's rudder and vertical stabilizer, according to a National Transportation Saftety Board report on the plane crash. Of the 265 victims, 251 were passengers, two were part of the flight crew, seven were flight attendants and five were on the ground. The plane's rudder and vertical stabilizer were found in Jamaica Bay, about one mile north of the crash site, according to the report.
Photo courtesy City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez
