37th anniversary of the crash of Northwest Airlines Flight 255

Many still remember the tragedy that struck Michigan 37 years ago – the deadliest plane crash in the state’s history.

On August 16, 1987, Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed just minutes after takeoff under the Interstate 94 overpass on Middlebelt Road near Detroit Metropolitan Airport. A total of 156 people were killed, and a single survivor was rescued from the wreckage – 4-year-old Cecelia Cichan of Tempe, Arizona, now known as Cecelia Crocker.

This is how the crash happened

The flight was scheduled to land in Phoenix, with a stopover there. The final destination was Santa Ana, California.

The flight was cleared for takeoff at 8:44 p.m. Witnesses reported that the plane had difficulty gaining altitude. Shortly after takeoff, “the airplane's wings rolled to the left and right approximately 35 inches in each direction,” according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

Due to the instability of the aircraft, the left wing struck a light pole beyond the runway, causing significant damage to the wing. The aircraft then struck several other light poles and the roof of a rental car building before finally crashing on Middlebelt in Romulus at approximately 8:46 p.m.

“The airplane broke up as it skidded along the ground, and fires erupted along the debris path after impact,” the NTSB accident report states. “Three occupied vehicles on a road adjacent to the airport and numerous empty vehicles in a rental car lot along the airplane's flight path were destroyed by impact forces and/or fire.”

Among the 156 victims were six crew members and two people on the ground.

NTSB investigation shows negligence

The NTSB's investigation into Flight 255 found that the flight crew failed to follow proper checklists and procedures, including correctly setting the aircraft's flaps and slats for takeoff – which led to a loss of control shortly after takeoff. The investigation also pointed to the flight crew's heavy workload during the short turnaround time between flights, which may have played a role in the failure to follow procedures.

Relatives of the victims remain in contact

In a Facebook group with more than 500 members, the families of the victims stay in touch, exchange photos of their lost relatives and organize memorial services on the anniversary of the tragedy.

All are welcome to attend the 37th anniversary memorial service Friday, which will be held at the Northwest Airlines Flight 255 Memorial at Middlebelt and I-94. Attendees typically gather around 7 p.m.; the names of the victims will be read at 8:46 p.m., the time the plane crashed. Showers are expected, so attendees are encouraged to bring umbrellas, flashlights and other rain gear.

More:Flight 255 paramedic releases song about famous crash: A message of sadness and hope

Perspective of a survivor

Crocker first spoke about the crash – which she has no memory of and which killed her parents and six-year-old brother – in a 2013 documentary called “Sole Survivor,” which profiled three other people who were the only survivors of plane crashes.